Global Audit Lead, IT

Job Title: Global Audit Lead, IT

Location: This role is Location Agnostic

ABOUT UNILEVER:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.

Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.

ABOUT UNIOPS:

Unilever Operations (UniOps) is the global technology and operations engine of Unilever offering business services, technology, and enterprise solutions. UniOps serves over 190 locations and through a network of specialized service lines and partners delivers insights and innovations, user experiences and end-to-end seamless delivery making Unilever Purpose Led and Future Fit.

JOB PURPOSE 

The mission of Corporate Audit is to provide independent reassurance to the Board and management of Unilever that all key risks affecting the achievement of Unilever’s strategic objectives are understood and properly controlled. Corporate Audit is a global team of approximately 40 people under the leadership of Unilever’s Chief Auditor.

The Information Technology audit team focuses primarily on key risks in the areas of Information Protection (including Information Security and Cyber Security) and IT Availability, Capability & Resiliency, as well as risks related to the digitisation of Unilever and Data Governance (including Data Privacy and Data Ethics). We audit global IT operations, process, and controls, both internal and external. Examples of recent audits include cyber security, use of generative Artificial Intelligence technologies, SAP security and resilience, factory cyber security, identity and access managements, acquired businesses’ IT and platform audits (such as Consumer Performance, Information & Analytics, HR and R&D Platforms).

Corporate Audit is recognised as an excellent leadership development and training ground for high potential managers and leaders. An assignment in Corporate Audit provides a unique opportunity to build cross functional IT experience, gain exposure to multiple aspects of internal IT and external service providers, and develop a deep understanding of IT risk, compliance, and controls.

The successful candidate should have the capabilities & gravitas to navigate within the senior Leadership of the UniOps/IT organisation, frame in writing and verbally (emerging) issues and manage internal and external relationships effectively. Latter is important as some of the audits will be delivered through 3rd Parties. The successful candidate should also be to recognise the changing nature of audit activities and ensure that the Corporate Audit Digital Strategy is appropriately aligned and delivered.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Audit Lead will be part of a multi-functional and multi-cultural Audit Leadership Team and has overall responsibility for leading the IT Audit Team and auditing IT controls, systems, and processes.  The IT Audit Lead will:

• Bring an in-depth knowledge of IT and IT processes and practices to the audit team
• Identify and evaluate key risks in IT
• Maintain strong relationships with Unilever’s IT leaders to understand evolving risks, land key findings and drive improved risk management and control operation
• Stay abreast of industry risk trends and their relevance to Unilever and its priorities / programmes
• Be able to discern the appropriate level of IT control based on Unilever’s risk appetite
• Lead the IT Audit Team (currently 5 experienced IT managers) in providing reassurance across Unilever’s global IT controls and practices
• Manage the pipeline of IT Audit Manager talent in and out of the team
• Develop IT Audit Managers both in terms of Audit Skills and ensuring appropriate full scope of reassurance activity
• Critical role in oversight and challenge of IT Audit scope, field work and findings
• Maintain relationships with relevant 3rd parties to facilitate specialist input to audits where required
• Lead the team to ensure it complete audits on time and in full, including
  • creation of work papers assessing control design and operational effectiveness
  • perform audit interviews, walkthroughs, observations, and system tests; analyse documents, reports and data
  • quality of work sufficient to support re-performance
  • write memos of findings and actions to agree with auditees
• Final preparation and ownership IT Audit Reports
• Communicate and support recommendations for improvements, including with people at more senior levels of the organisation
• Ensure sharing of best practices and (where applicable) alignment with and leadership of wider Corporate Audit processes and initiatives, including to ensure the Corporate Audit team provides end to end reassurance coverage for key risks
• Own, evolve and deliver against the Corporate Audit Digital Strategy, ensuring the Corporate Audit team have access to appropriate technology to deliver the strategic agenda effectively.

ALL ABOUT YOU 

• IT Audit, and Information Protection or IT Security
• Experience in broad range of IT disciplines (applications, development & maintenance, ERP, infrastructure, ITIL, etc.)
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Very good English language skills, oral and written including professional report writing
• A passion for “raising the bar” or continuous improvement
• Experience in a regional / global role an advantage
• A consistently strong track record of delivery
• Experience with risk based audits (not SOX audits) and internal audit
• Desirable: Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) or recent CISA training

Additional Information:

This role involves travel approximately 20%, primarily to the UK and India.  Much of the audit work is done virtually via video calls, and the successful candidate must be able to work independently.  Occasionally requires flexible hours to work with auditees in other time zones.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!