| Job description | Audit Learning and Development Specialist
Location: London; Hybrid (2 days in the office)
Contract Type: Full-time; Permanent
Salary: C£60,000 plus civil service employer pension contribution of contribution of 28%. A higher base may be considered for exceptional candidates.
The National Audit Office (NAO) is an independent parliamentary body dedicated to scrutinising public spending and driving improvements in government efficiency and effectiveness. We audit government departments and public organisations, providing robust, evidence-based insights that ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money. Our work supports Parliament in holding the government to account while fostering innovation and best practice across the public sector. Through our audits and reports, we help shape services that have a real and lasting impact on citizens’ lives.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Audit Learning and Development Specialist to join our creative and passionate Learning & Development (L&D) team. You will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and managing high-quality learning programmes for our financial audit professionals. This role is central to ensuring that our audit teams receive the best possible training to maintain technical excellence and uphold audit quality standards.
You’ll be someone who is comfortable working pro-actively and, managing entire learning programmes and working across multiple projects. You will work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to create learning experiences that enhance audit quality and technical expertise across all levels of the organisation.
This role encompasses both L&D programme management and training design.
As an L&D Programme Lead, you will be responsible for managing, delivering, and evaluating entire learning programmes, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest standard. This will require careful planning, coordination, and risk management, as well as the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs. You will be working closely with key stakeholders, including subject matter experts, collaborating with other designers and L&D colleagues, overseeing the communications strategy and managing the reporting process. Exceptional project management and stakeholder engagement skills are essential for this role. You must be confident in communicating regularly with senior stakeholders.
When designing and implementing individual learning interventions, you will take full ownership of the end-to-end design and development process. This includes scoping training needs, defining learning objectives, storyboarding, creating high-quality learning content, and delivering and evaluating the impact of key learning interventions. You will need to be confident at influencing stakeholders, educating them about purpose of training and guiding them towards clear, focused learning outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
•Programme management & delivery: Lead the end-to-end development of selected audit learning programmes, ensuring they are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and align with strategic priorities. Manage timetables, coordinate resources, manage programme execution and evaluation.
•Learning design & development: Working closely with subject matter experts create engaging and effective learning content for face-to-face and virtual training applying blended learning methodologies and incorporating the latest developments and best practices in learning design. Develop engaging and impactful training content that transforms complex audit concepts into clear, easily digestible learning materials. Ensure all materials are technically accurate, practical, accessible to a diverse audience and support effective knowledge retention and practical application.
•Stakeholder engagement: Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs) and senior stakeholders, including Audit Quality Directors and People Development Directors, to design learning solutions that address emerging technical and regulatory requirements and align training initiatives with business needs. Navigate complex stakeholder relationships and influence decision-making.
•Training delivery: Support the facilitation of training sessions (both virtual and in-person), helping to bring learning to life. Present complex training material with confidence and in a clear and engaging way, using effective presentation and facilitation skills to ensure that the content resonates with diverse audiences.
•Evaluation & continuous improvement: Measure the effectiveness of learning programmes through data analysis, feedback collection, and quality reviews. Implement lessons learned to drive continuous improvement.
Skills & Experience Required
•Qualified accountant (ACA or equivalent) with hands-on experience in financial audit.
•Strong technical knowledge of IFRS, UK GAAP, and ISA standards.
•Proven experience in learning programme development and instructional design and development, particularly in a professional services or audit environment.
•Ability to design training materials for face-to-face and virtual sessions translating complex audit concepts into accessible learning content.
•Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and gain buy-in for learning initiatives.
•Ability to balance independent project work with collaborative engagement with key stakeholders.
•Excellent communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills, with a focus on operational excellence and quality.
What to expect:
•This is an exciting opportunity to shape audit training within a unique organisation, dedicated to enhancing the quality, efficiency, and value of public services. In this pivotal role, you will drive excellence and innovation in public sector audit, equipping professionals with the skills and knowledge to uphold the highest standards and deliver impactful scrutiny that benefits all UK citizens.
•You will work alongside a supportive and passionate L&D team and will be part of a dynamic environment where innovation, continuous improvement, and professional development are at the heart of everything we do.
•We offer a hybrid working model where you will be expected to be in the office two days per week.
Equal opportunities and diversity
Disability and Reasonable Adjustments
Applicants with a disability who wish their application to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme should confirm this when submitting their application. Under this scheme we guarantee an interview to an applicant with a disability who meets the minimum requirements for the role. You should also let our HR team know if you wish us to consider any Reasonable Adjustments at any stage of the process (HR Service Desk (HRServiceDesk@nao.org.uk).
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of any protected characteristic or any other extraneous factor.
We are open to considering candidates who wish to fill posts on a part-time basis or as a job share. Part-time candidates should indicate their proposed availability, and any flexibility they would either want to have or be able to offer.
Interviews are expected to take place WC 24 March. |
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