We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!
We’re on the hunt for a Head of Internal Audit (Gibraltar-based)
Are you passionate about making a difference through high-quality audits and strong stakeholder relationships? Do you enjoy helping organisations stay focussed, compliant, and resilient under regulatory scrutiny? If this aligns with your goals and you’re ready for a new challenge – we’d love to hear from you.
We’re 1st Central – a tech-led insurance company that’s always evolving. We’re looking for someone exceptional to join our Internal Audit team in Gibraltar. You’ll need to already be based there or be open to relocating, as this is a Regulated Individuals Regime (RIR) role.
As Head of Internal Audit, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality internal audits across the business, with a focus on our Gibraltar operations. You’ll work closely with our Audit Director, senior leaders, and regulatory bodies to ensure our internal controls are effective and our obligations are fully met.
Skills that make you a great fit:
- Strong communication skills – able to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and enable sound decision making through clear communication.
- Solid understanding of audit, risk, and governance – ideally within insurance – with the ability to apply that expertise in a practical and commercial way.
- Familiarity with Gibraltar’s regulatory landscape, particularly the GFSC, and confidence navigating its requirements.
- Strategic thinking with attention to detail – able to see the bigger picture while staying on top of the finer points.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
What ‘s involved:
- Contributing to the strategic direction of the Group Internal Audit function and supporting annual planning.
- Overseeing the planning, execution, and reporting of internal audits, ensuring alignment with Gibraltar’s regulatory expectations.
- Conducting audit fieldwork, evaluating controls, drafting findings, and preparing reports.
- Assessing compliance with policies and procedures, identifying control weaknesses, and recommending improvements.
- Exploring improvements to risk management approaches and promoting best practices.
- Using innovative audit techniques, including data analytics and agile methodologies.
- Building strong stakeholder relationships to ensure collaborative audit processes.
- Monitoring emerging risks and adapting audit approaches accordingly.
- Supporting audit and risk committee reporting with Gibraltar-specific insights.
- Driving continuous improvement across audit processes and practices.
- Ensuring compliance with the Group Code of Conduct, Fitness and Propriety policies, and GFSC regulations.
Experience, qualifications, skills & knowledge:
- Extensive experience in internal audit within financial services, ideally with exposure to Solvency II and Gibraltar’s regulatory frameworks.
- Strong grasp of audit, risk, and governance in an insurance context.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
- Experience engaging with regulatory bodies such as the GFSC.
- Familiarity with the UK and Gibraltar personal lines insurance markets.
- Excellent communication and analytical skills.
- Commercial awareness balanced with regulatory understanding.
- High attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
- Proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Recognised audit or compliance qualification (e.g., Chartered Internal Auditor, ICAEW).
- Cert CII qualification is a plus.
Behaviours:
- Integrity, reliability, and accountability.
- Maintains composure and clarity under pressure.
- Dedicated to upholding corporate values and regulatory standards.
- Self-motivation and strong organisational skills.
- A collaborative mindset and drive for continuous improvement.
This is a unique opportunity to apply your audit expertise in a key role within a fast-moving, growing company. Based in beautiful Gibraltar (or relocating there), you’ll contribute significantly to meeting our regulatory obligations and staying ahead of emerging risks.
If you're passionate about doing things the right way and enjoy working with people across all levels of a business – we’d love to hear from you!
What can we do for you?
People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here.
Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.
