Internal Scrutiny Team Leader
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Welcome to Juniper Education, where our mission is to champion educators, empowering them to shape future generations. We're more than just a support system; we're the driving force that propels schools and Academy Trusts to new heights. With our proven school education management systems and services, we address a spectrum of needs, ensuring excellence in education. In the education and tech industry, your work directly influences the lives of students and educators. Whether you're developing cutting-edge educational technology, supporting school leadership teams directly or designing solutions to enhance the learning experience, you could make a lasting and positive impact on the future.
Our mission statement says it all: We look after you, so that you can look after our children.
Dedicated to our core values, we are committed to:
Empowerment: Equipping everyone with the tools, intelligence, connections, and freedom to make informed decisions, recognised and respected by all.
Purpose: Supporting everyone to reach their highest potential, thereby enabling all children to achieve theirs.
Passion: Because we love what you do, you’re at the heart of everything we do.
Innovation: Delivering meaningful solutions with expertise and creative thinking to influence the ever-changing world of education.
Collaboration: The cornerstone of our success as it enables us to collectively harness diverse perspectives and strengths, ensuring that together, we achieve more than we could ever do alone. Every voice counts!
The role:
Juniper Education is seeking an experienced Internal Scrutiny Team Leader to lead and deliver internal scrutiny services for schools, multi-academy trusts (MATs) and other education clients.
This role is critical in ensuring that our consultancy services provide independent, risk-based and practical assurance across governance, risk management and internal control. The Internal Scrutiny Lead will act as the primary client lead, taking ownership of contracts and ensuring that all services are delivered to a consistently high standard.
The position combines client leadership and programme design, ensuring that Juniper Education continues to provide a high-quality internal scrutiny service aligned to the expectations of the UK education sector.
Juniper Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointment to this role will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which may include an enhanced DBS check and any other checks relevant to the post.
Client leadership and contract ownership
Be a trusted primary client lead for allocated internal scrutiny contracts.
Develop strong and credible relationships with senior stakeholders, including Chief Finance Officers, Senior Leaders, Trustees and Audit Committees.
Take accountability for the successful delivery of internal scrutiny engagements from planning through to reporting.
Coordinate internal delivery teams and specialist resources.
Internal scrutiny programme design
Develop and maintain annual and multi-year internal scrutiny programmes.
Ensure audit activity us aligned with client risk registers, strategic priorities and relevant regulatory requirements.
Support the implementation of new contracts through effective planning, engagement and risk assessment.
Review and update scrutiny programmes in response to organisational development, growth and emerging risks.
Governance and Reporting
Share audit outcomes and recommendations with governance and leadership groups.
Produce clear and informative audit reports, strategic summaries and annual assurance opinions.
Support clients in strengthening governance, oversight and decision making.
Help clients translate recommendations into practical actions that strengthen organisational effectiveness.
Delivery oversight and quality assurance
Oversee the completion of internal scrutiny assignments across client contracts.
Review audit outputs to ensure a consistent and high-quality service.
Maintain a focus on independence, evidence and risk throughout all work undertaken.
Ensure reports and recommendations are clear, practical and aligned with client needs.
Performance and contract management
Monitor progress against audit plans, deadlines and service commitments.
Use performance information and KPIs to track successful delivery.
Lead review meetings with clients to discuss progress and future activity.
Maintain oversight of contract performance to support strong client retention and satisfaction.
Service development and growth
Contribute to the ongoing development of Juniper Education's internal scrutiny offer.
Support tender and bid submissions when required.
Identify ways to increase the value and impact of services provided to clients.
Contribute ideas that support continuous improvement.
Team leadership
Provide guidance and support across the team.
Allocate work, monitor progress and manage delivery to agreed timescales.
Coach and develop team members, supporting continuous improvement and consistent practice.
Contribute to a positive team culture focused on quality, learning and professional integrity.
What we’re looking for:
Strong experience in internal scrutiny, internal audit or risk assurance
Professionally qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
Experience working within or alongside academy trusts or the wider education sector
Proven ability to:
design risk-based audit programmes
lead client relationships
Experience presenting to Audit & Risk Committees or equivalent governance bodies
Strong communication and influencing skills
Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery
Commercial awareness and experience in a consultancy or client-facing environment
Interview Process:
First Interview
Second Interview
We are committed to a fair and comfortable recruitment process, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview process, please reach out to a member of the team at recruitment@junipereducation.org
Juniper Education Benefits
Enhanced annual leave entitlement
Opportunity to purchase additional leave
Entitlement to carry over leave to next entitlement year
Day 1 access to 24/7 GP & prescription services
Day 1 access to rewards platform
Cycle to work scheme
Enhanced maternity & adoption pay
Day 1 access to employee assistance platform
Funded development/Qualification opportunities
Voluntary health care cash plan
Voluntary private medical insurance
Plus more!
Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
Applications for this role must be submitted by midnight July 15, 2026.