Job Description

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis
Location: Swindon, London or Fareham (Hybrid working options are available)
Closing date: Friday 10th October 2025
The opportunity:
Join Zurich's Group Audit team and be part of a global community dedicated to keeping Zurich safe. With over 250 colleagues from 33 nationalities, we work as one global team striving for excellence and creating the best function for our company, our people, and our communities. We embrace and leverage the diverse skills our team brings to provide valuable insights to our stakeholders. We have a real passion for high performance, collaboration, and innovation, as we aim to push boundaries and set new standards for our profession. This includes all our people driving value from data and enhancing their work through AI.
Working closely with GA leaders, particularly in the EMEA region, this is a unique opportunity to drive the evolution of our function. It will be key to implement and drive our strategic priorities including the development of our life and Finance/Actuarial audit capabilities globally and, of course, take the UK team to the next level.
Ready to play a key part in our journey to create a leading audit function? We would love to hear from you!
Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren't available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.
What will you be doing?
As the Head of Internal Audit - Finance / Actuarial in the UK, with a focus on the Life business, you will play a key role in supporting the UK Audit Director to lead and develop the UK team. This includes to guide and supervise team members, fostering a collaborative, learning, and supportive environment. You will also help to transform the UK audit team operating model and ways of working to develop and embed leading edge audit practices.
From an audit perspective, you will be responsible for overseeing the overall portfolio of Life, Finance and / or Actuarial reviews in the UK. You will lead the development of the risk based dynamic audit plan, including maintaining audit coverage assessment for the UK Life business.
You will positively influence the business risk and control environment, through a combination of reporting at key fora, as well as developing strong working relationships with Life Senior Management. You will also support the Audit Director in managing Executive level Life stakeholders, as well as acting as a deputy for the UK Audit Director in Board and Executive level Committees, when required.
You will work proactively with audit colleagues in the Global Audit Life Network to share insights and help shape the audit approach within the function.
As leader within the EMEA Group Audit team, you will also play a role in implementing and driving our strategic priorities, co-create a leading audit function using innovative audit approaches, new world skills (Data Analytics, IT fundamentals, and GenAI), and Agile methods, and serve as a role model for delivering change.
What are we looking for?
Your skills and qualifications will ideally include:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, or professional qualification.
• Proven experience in Internal Audit / Risk Management / Compliance or in insurance business positions.
• Relevant experience at a senior level role in financial services; with a bias towards Life insurance. Excellent understand of Life insurance, Finance and / or Actuarial control environments.
• Experience in leading teams through change within diverse and international organizations in a hybrid working environment.
• Strong understanding of Internal Audit Standards and industry best practices for internal audit and internal control frameworks. Excellent reporting writing skills.
• Excellent relationship management skills with proven ability to build business relationships and to interact with stakeholders from all seniority levels and, including influencing, executive / senior stakeholders through strong verbal and written communication.
• Excellent project management skills, ability to manage complex projects in parallel, delivering on time and quality while guiding and coaching teams to be at their best to deliver timely and impactful audits.

What happens next?
As an inclusive employer we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and are able to perform at their best during the interview. You'll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.
Who we are
At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we're creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.
With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you'll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.
We've made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other's wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.
If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.
Our Culture
At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we're particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we've won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.
We've an environment that places a real importance on our people's wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We're also committed to continuous improvement and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.
We're passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we've awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over 90 million. #li_hybrid
So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us.
The financials

• 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme.
• Annual company bonus.
• Income Protection.
• Life cover - four times your salary.

Time away

• 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• You can also request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you.
• The option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
• Three days paid volunteering.
• Up to 16 weeks' full pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Your health is important to us

• Access to Private medical insurance.
• Virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Free flu jab.
• Access to a wealth of support from our wellbeing partners.

We're making a difference

• Creating a brighter, more sustainable future underpins all that we do here in Zurich. We were the first insurer to sign the 'UN Business Ambition for 1.5?C' pledge.
• Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, has awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over 90 million.

Skills Required