Job ref: 219540
About us
More than half the UK working population rely on The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to regulate their retirement savings. With a career at TPR, you’ll be joining an organisation that will impact on millions of lives for decades to come.
Everyone at TPR plays an important role in helping to keep more than £2trn of savings safe. We’re committed to bringing people into TPR who are ready to make a difference and put UK savers at the heart of what we do.
Our new corporate strategy outlines a bold and challenging vision of how pensions regulation should evolve to keep pace with a change in the scale and nature of the industry. We are at the start of that journey. Join us to find out what part you can play.
Role
TPR’s ARAC is a subcommittee of the Board and the Non-Executive Committee. It provides independent oversight, assurance, and advice regarding financial control, risk management and governance. TPR is seeking to appoint an independent member with experience in financial management at a senior level and deep knowledge of one or more of audit (external or internal) or risk oversight to strengthen the expertise and independence of the ARAC and to provide challenge, support and judgement.
The Independent Member will bring external expertise and perspective, supporting the ARAC in its role of reviewing financial and risk-related matters, advising on internal controls, and ensuring that TPR maintains high standards of accountability and governance.
The ARAC is chaired by a non-executive Board member, with two other non-executive Board members as committee members. It is a non-executive committee and has no executive powers other than those specifically delegated within its Terms of Reference, and standards set by HM Treasury, Government and Cabinet Office. The Committee engages particularly with the work of internal audit and TPR’s external auditor (National Audit Office).
Responsibilities
- Provide independent and objective oversight of TPR’s audit, risk, and financial management processes.
- Review financial reporting and both internal and external audit outcomes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with best practices.
- Engage with internal and external auditors to ensure robust control procedures are in place.
- Advise on risk management frameworks and internal control processes, ensuring they are robust and aligned with TPR’s strategic objectives.
- Challenge assumptions, provide independent judgment, and support continuous improvement in governance and financial oversight.
- Providing assurance on fraud, cyber, procurement and whistleblowing processes.
- Ensuring the effectiveness and value of both external and internal auditors.
Essential and desirable criteria
Essential criteria
- Experience in audit and/or financial management, preferably with a formal accounting qualification and membership of a professional accounting body.
- Experience in risk management, preferably in financial services, regulatory bodies, or organisations with complex financial structures.
- Strong understanding of governance, internal control frameworks, and financial reporting in the public or financial sectors.
- Some experience of public sector audit and risk matters.
- Familiarity with the Nolan Principles of Public Life and a commitment to upholding ethical standards.
Desirable criteria
One or more of:
- Experience in regulatory matters, preferably within financial services, pensions, or investment management.
- Previous experience serving on an audit or risk committee in a public sector or financial organisation.
- Understanding of government and public sector accountability frameworks.
- Knowledge of pension schemes and the broader investment landscape.
- Knowledge of modernisation and transformation programmes.
- Exposure to technology risk management and cyber security.
- Expertise in assurance mapping and frameworks.
Person specification
- High standards of integrity.
- Highly professional.
- Independent mindset.
- Able to constructively challenge.
Salary
The salary for this role is £4,000 per year (plus all travel expenses in line with TPR policies). The fee will be subject to standard tax and NI deductions.
How to apply
To apply please email recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk quoting role reference number 219540 along with:
- a covering letter with details of how your skills and experience meet the role requirements
- a copy of your CV
We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to the recruitment, employment, retention, and development of people with disabilities, and to improving their employment opportunities. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.
In accordance with Home Office guidance, the successful candidate will be required to provide their right to work in the UK before they start employment. Unfortunately, TPR is not able to offer sponsorship at the time. TPR is a UK-based organisation with a working location in Brighton, candidates must live in the UK to be employed by us.
TPR is an arm’s length government body and part of the public service.
Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory background screening checks and criminal record checks (BPSS).
If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@tpr.gov.uk.