Risk & Audit Manager

The Audit & Risk Manager will report to the Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance. The purpose, responsibilities, skills and experience, and competencies required are as follows:

Job Purpose

The Audit & Risk Manager is responsible for the managing the internal audit process, effective risk management monitoring, awareness, and reporting and insurance management across the business. This role ensures appropriate compliance and effective internal controls across multiple entities within the group and for other entities to which a shared service is provided. The successful candidate will play a key role in effective risk management and coordination of the internal audit and will engage proactively across the organisation.

This is a full-time permanent role based in Newbridge, Co. Kildare with an option to work hybrid.

Key Responsibilities:

Risk Management

• Ensure operational Risk Management Strategy, Policy and Processes remain robust and effective and where possible, are continuously improved. This will include the review and measurement of key risk and performance indicators, risk modelling, assessments and oversight.
• Work with senior management to ensure risk management principles and practices are and remain embedded in operational decision making and processes.
• Proactively support and consult with department heads and risk owners, facilitating workshops, devising training and leading risk reporting to focus on reducing risk and managing mitigations.
• Provide a comprehensive review of HRIs operational risk landscape and develop risk profiles to facilitate comparative analysis.
• Perform risk assessments and draft risk reports on behalf of the CRO for Senior Management, Board and Risk Committees.
• Provide expert risk advice and support to all stakeholders
• Provide Risk Management services to entities with a shared service agreement.
• Leverage technological developments to enhance management and oversight, and to improve productivity and innovation.

Internal Audit

• Proactively manages internal audit process for the Group from audit planning to reporting with the outsourced internal audit provider.
• Monitor and manage compliance with agreed timelines for implementation of internal audit recommendations across the Group, escalating as required in a timely manner.
• Actively guide and support operational teams to ensure prompt conclusion of audits.

Insurance

• Manage the relationship with the insurance broker, ensuring quarterly service reviews and coordinating the annual renewal process for the HRI Group.
• Actively manage all claims and claim reporting with the insurance broker and the Risk management team.
• Seek to enhance incident reporting across the Group.
• Provide insurance services to entities with a shared service agreement.

Annual Report & Statutory Reporting

• Manage production of the annual report consulting with the wider finance team and the communications team to ensure the annual report is best in class.
• Ensure sustainability reporting for HRI is introduced in a timely and efficient manner, working with a wider finance team.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement in processes, leading process reviews and working in collaboration with wider organisational teams to identify opportunities to automate and streamline reporting processes, reducing manual intervention, and improving data integrity.
• Support the adoption and effective use of technology and BI tools (e.g., Power BI).

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure data integrity and accuracy within financial systems and reports.
• Ensure financial controls and governance are adhered to across business functions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and legislation.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership and mentorship as required across wider governance, risk, and audit team.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in finance, accounting, or a related field (required).
• Professional accounting qualification ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CPA (required).

Skills and Experience

• Evidence of at least 10 years post qualification experience, with at least 4 years in a risk function in either a commercial body or commercial semi state body.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of operational drivers.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills with the capacity to influence, negotiate and drive performance.
• Results driven, with a record of delivering compliance while maintain excellent relationships.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills with the capacity to influence, negotiate and drive performance.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a demanding environment, with the adaptability and resilience required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• High proficiency in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience leading systems improvements and developing reporting frameworks.
• Strong team working and internal customer focus skills.
• In-depth knowledge of accounting principles and regulatory frameworks.
• An interest in ESG Reporting Standards is desirable.
• An interest in horse racing while an advantage, is not essential.