Audit Manager Finance

BACKGROUND

Corporate Audit is a diverse, global and forward-looking team that aims to protect what we all care for. We deliver with excellence high quality, insightful and timely reassurance on the key risks that could impact Unilever’s purpose. Our diverse and future-focused team offers a unique opportunity to enhance functional expertise and develop an in-depth understanding of risk management and governance across Unilever.

Corporate Audit is recognised as an excellent leadership development and training ground for high potential talents. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to understand risk and risk mitigation, deepen functional skills, build cross functional experience, and gain an exposure to a broad selection of Unilever’s business across business groups, business units, countries, business operations and functions. You will develop broad leadership skills, stakeholder management skills, influencing skills & communication skills and better understanding of Unilever’s Corporate Governance.

The audits are conducted remotely and on-site, engaging with over 100 locations annually. Generally, we work in 5-week sprints throughout the year, with opportunity to lead a different, often cross-functional team in each sprint. The entire team consists of 38 team members, mostly experienced functional experts with 10+ years of experience. Corporate Audit has team members from Finance, IT, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales & HR.

We do not have lifetime Auditors in Corporate Audit; candidates stay in Audit roles for a limited time, after which they progress to other roles within the organisation, fully leveraging the steep learning curve in Corporate Audit.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

In this role you will be part of a multi-functional and multi-cultural team auditing business groups, business units, countries, business operations and functions. The Audit Manager will:

• Auditing: deliver high-quality audits by evaluating the design and operational effectiveness of controls across multiple functional areas and business units.

• Finance Knowledge Network: Liaising with Centres of Excellence (content/process owners) on audit findings, discussing root causes. identifying good practices/functional issues/developments, capability building and internal & external benchmarking. Bring an in-depth knowledge of finance processes and practices to the audit teams.

• Strategic Priorities and Initiatives: deliver workplan and strategic initiatives in line with the priorities of Corporate Audit to ensure that the function is on par with the developments in the audit industry.

• Self and Team Development: develop, commit to and action a future fit self-development plan, proactively contribute to the development of others in the team.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Unquestionable ethics and integrity with an awareness of expectations for Corporate Audit.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to synthesize large amounts of data into clear, concise findings.
• Clarity of thinking – ability to see the bigger picture, whilst interested to dive into details and articulate the findings
• Problem-solving skills, ability to make reliable and objective judgments and conclusions.
• Strategic Influencing – ability to influence across all levels of the organization and shared Centre of Excellence
• Strong communication and presentation skills. Fluent spoken and written English is required.
• Strong Finance skills and good cross functional understanding
• Digitally savvy & results oriented
• Mature self-starter, able to work independently and in teams.
• Self-confidence and resilient.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

• Care Deeply
  We care about how consumers experience our brands, the growth and development of our people, and their impact on the planet. We emphasise the importance of performance and care, moving from ambiguity about success to fairness and transparency.
  The successful candidate sets high standards for themselves, demonstrates good learning agility and cares for the development of others.

• Focus on What Counts
  We prioritise what truly matters, setting clear and stretching goals. We aim to shift from having everything as a priority to focusing on fewer, bigger things that are delivered to conclusion and are being rewarded.
  The successful candidate evaluates and prioritise activities/initiative that deliver high impact to the business and function.

• Stay Three Steps Ahead
  We encourage bold and creative thinking to make breakthroughs in performance. We focus on anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, shifting from reacting to leading, shaping, and disrupting the market.
  The successful candidate understands emerging risks and trends and thinks outside the box as needed to make the right audit recommendations.

• Deliver with Excellence
  The emphasis is on delivering everything with excellence and pace, taking personal ownership, and holding each other accountable. We aim to shift from pride in thinking to pride in execution, developing breakthrough solutions and ensuring the best in reality. 
  The successful candidate is results-oriented generates intensity using data and insights to make decisions and audit recommendations. The person is taking personal responsibility and accountability.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• GCAD
• Centres of Excellence/Process Owners

TRAVEL

The successful candidate will be required to travel world-wide due to the nature of the role (40-50% travel requirements). Normally three weeks while doing a travel audit (see earlier comment on ‘sprint’ of five weeks)

Location   

In September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London.  This site will house some employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars together with colleagues who are currently located in Lever House in Kingston. We are excited to be creating our own Unilever sustainable, agile work environment. The campus is due to be completed in 2026. 

What We Offer  

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment. 

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.  

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever. 

Recruitment Fraud  

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.  

How is Unilever tackling this?  

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.  

What can I do?  

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.  

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!