Financial Audit Director (Actuarial Specialist)
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LOCATION: London or Newcastle office. We operate in a hybrid model, guided by our ways of working principles. This means a flexible approach between our offices (in London or Newcastle), client sites and home. The expectation is that we all spend at least 40% of our time in the office or client site each week.
SALARY: c.£93,000 (more may be available for exceptional candidates) + Civil Service Employer Pension Contribution
ROLE TYPE: Permanent contract, part time position (0.6FTE)
Are you an experienced actuary seeking to make a tangible difference in public sector audit? The National Audit Office is recruiting a Financial Audit Director (Actuarial Specialist) to lead and advise on audits of defined benefit pension schemes across government. In this distinctive part-time leadership role, you will shape audit strategy, uphold high standards and work closely with senior stakeholders, partner firms and our Pensions Centre of Excellence. Furthermore, you will engage and collaborate, where appropriate, with other UK Audit Offices.
A key aspect of this role is the oversight of a small team of colleagues, particularly specialist staff on secondment from partner firms. Your leadership will ensure effective integration and high performance amongst these secondees, supporting the delivery of high-quality work across a range of clients to competing deadlines, while protecting the welfare of our people.
We are looking for a qualified actuary with substantial post-qualification experience, in-depth knowledge of public sector pensions and demonstrable people management skills. If you are passionate about collaboration, mentoring talented teams and influencing positive change within the sector, this position offers the opportunity to steer our work and support the NAO’s strategic objectives.
Our values define who we are at the NAO and guide how we work together and with external stakeholders to achieve our purpose and priorities. We act with courage and integrity, being honest, open and constructively challenging ourselves and others for better outcomes. We are inclusive and respectful, treating colleagues and stakeholders with courtesy and understanding. We are curious, always seeking to learn and help ourselves and government improve how public money is used. We strive for excellence, delivering high-quality work that makes a meaningful impact.
The main expectations of an NAO Financial Audit Director are set out in the job description person specification below.
Application Process
Please Submit
- Your CV
- A supporting statement (no more than two sides of A4) outlining your suitability for the role (word limit: 1,000 words)
The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 20 March 2026. We expect interviews to take place between the 8th and 22nd April 2026.
Main purpose of the job
Our Directors, who are equivalent to Engagement Partners, provide strategic leadership and oversee the delivery of high-quality external audits, supporting effective accountability and scrutiny. They engage with senior stakeholders at the organisations we audit, taking responsibility for the direction of audit work and drawing on the wider expertise of the NAO to add value and make a meaningful difference. Internally, Directors lead our teams, foster collaboration, and model behaviours and working practices that help us become an exemplar organisation.
The Financial Audit Director (Actuarial Specialist) is a new role at the NAO. Many of our audits require actuarial expertise, particularly for auditing defined benefit pension scheme liabilities and related pension scheme disclosures. Our work in this area is led by the Pensions Centre of Excellence (CoE) and this role will play a crucial role in shaping the strategy and enhancing the impact of the Pensions CoE. As part of this role, the Financial Audit Director (Actuarial Specialist) will support the delivery of high-quality, timely, and efficient work related to:
Key Responsibilities
- Provide actuarial advice and support to audit teams on defined benefit pension scheme liabilities and disclosures
- Develop and enhance audit methodologies and tools for pensions-related work
- Engage with audited bodies, management experts, and partner firms to ensure robust audit outcomes
- Lead, mentor, and support a small team, including specialist secondees
- Contribute to the strategy and outputs of the Pensions Centre of Excellence
- Represent the NAO in external forums and collaborate with other UK audit bodies as required.
As part of this role, the Financial Audit Director (Actuarial Specialist) may also engage and collaborate, where appropriate, with other UK Audit Offices.
Essential skills and experiences:
- Relevant actuarial qualification (The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) with significant post-qualification experience
- Experience of providing high-quality actuarial support to the financial audits conducted in line with ISAs (UK)
- Experience of working in the public sector with a strong understanding of the public sector pensions landscape and the work of the National Audit Office, including our work with partner firms
Desirable Skills And Experience
- Experience in implementing and embedding transformational change in financial audit methodologies, software, and use of data
- Able to contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation and support the delivery of our organisational development plan and strategyEducational requirements