Job Description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Audit Capability Leadership
Lead and scale the GCS Audit Capability in line with the member firm's strategic objectives and growth plans
Lead the execution and ongoing evolution of the GCS operating model, ensuring seamless integration with engagement teams and adherence to established governance and quality standards
Drive continuous improvement in audit execution through process optimisation, standardisation and the use of technology
Lead the end-to-end execution of audit work across the GCS, supporting the full audit lifecycle from planning through to completion
Ensure offshore teams are fully embedded within engagement teams, fostering collaboration and contributing seamlessly to client delivery
Monitor performance across key metrics, including quality, timelines, utilisation and budget
Audit Quality, Risk Management & Compliance
Hold primary responsibility for audit quality within the GCS Audit Unit
Drive a quality-first culture, ensuring compliance with global audit methodology and regulatory standards
Oversee review processes and address findings arising from internal and external quality reviews
Act as the escalation point for quality, performance and technical issues across the GCS audit function
Partner with Risk & Quality teams to continuously strengthen audit quality outcomes
Operational Leadership & Workforce Management
Provide leadership across all audit teams, ensuring efficient and effective operations
Build and manage a scalable, high-performing offshore audit workforce aligned to growth plans
Oversee resource planning, utilisation and optimisation to maximise productivity
Embed structured performance management, appraisal and promotion frameworks aligned with global practices
Drive operational efficiencies through process standardisation, improvement and automation
Stakeholder Engagement and Transition
Lead the transition of audit work into GCS, ensuring continuity of audit execution and minimal disruption to engagements
Manage transition hyper-care to stabilise execution and resolve early-stage challenges
Act as the senior escalation point and primary GCS audit contact for partners and engagement teams across the global network on any challenges and engagement risks
Build strong relationships with audit leadership to ensure alignment on: Expectations, operating model and quality standards
Scope of work, engagement planning and resourcing decisions
Ensure clear, transparent communication across all stakeholders
Strategy & Innovation
Contribute to the evolution of the global audit capability strategy, including centralization and digital enablement
Contribute to firm-wide initiatives relating to global audit execution, transformation and efficiency
Drive innovation through: Data analytics and digital audit tools
Process standardization and automation
Identify opportunities to enhance value delivered to engagement teams and clients
People Leadership & Culture
Foster a high-performance, collaborative and inclusive culture aligned with Grant Thornton values
Drive talent development through structured learning, mentoring and career pathways
Promote a one team global mindset across onshore and offshore teams
Support the development of clear career progression frameworks for GCS audit professionals
Establish and oversee an Audit Quality Coaching model to drive consistent quality standards and ensure ongoing improvement in: Workpaper quality and documentation
Risk identification and audit approach
Communication with onshore engagement teams

Success Profile

Strong focus on audit quality, regulatory compliance and professional standards
Commercial awareness balanced with professional and ethical obligations
Ability to operate in a complex, multi-jurisdictional and culturally diverse environment
Proven leadership in building, scaling and developing high-performing teams and capabilities
Strong employee engagement, retention, and talent development, fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with a track record of fostering trusted relationships and high levels of stakeholder satisfaction

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Technical Expertise

Qualified accountant (CPA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent)
Significant (12–15+ years) external audit experience, ideally within a Big 4 or leading professional services firm with exposure to international firms
Strong knowledge of international auditing standards and methodologies, financial reporting and regulatory standards

Leadership Experience

Proven experience leading large-scale audit delivery or shared service/global capability centres
Strong track record in managing multi-location teams and complex audit portfolios
Experience driving operational transformation and scaling capability and execution models

Stakeholder Management & Communication