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Principal Business Risk Auditor

Reference Number
GRO0947

Principal Business Risk Auditor

Closing date for applications
26 June 2014
Country
United States
City
Houston
Function/Discipline
Audit
Employment Category
This is a permanent role
This role is offered on local conditions
Working Hours
Full/Part-Time
Full Time
Number of Roles Available
1
Salary
Commensurate with Experience

Position Summary

A leading player in the global energy market, BG Group operates in more than 25 countries over five continents and is well regarded for its exploration and liquefied natural gas (LNG) successes. To ensure that the Group maximises value through its worldwide energy marketing and shipping activities, the trading and marketing activities from around the Group are consolidated into one team known as Global Energy Marketing and Shipping (GEMS). GEMS generates a significant proportion of BG Group’s earnings.

The Group Audit function provides assurance to the Board, Audit Committee, Executive Committee and business management that effective and efficient governance and internal control processes are in place to identify and manage business risks. 

The team of business control specialists adds value by supporting risk management and control activities in the areas that matter most to the BG Group businesses, independently and objectively. 

Group Audit has recently initiated a significant change programme designed to achieve more effective integration of risk, assurance and audit activities across the group. This includes improvements to the audit approach and the development of a risk-based assurance framework designed to ensure a more objective and visible basis for identifying the areas for review.

The main purpose of this position is to support the achievement of Group Audit's purpose, through:
• Understanding the risks facing the business and the key governance and control activities to manage those risks. Completing reviews of these processes across the group.
• Obtaining line management's commitment to take action on recommendations to improve controls.
• Supporting, challenging and reviewing major change projects and providing controls advice.
• Promoting controls awareness and following up business risk/control issues as appropriate.

This is a challenging and developmental role with a high degree of regular exposure to managers up to the most senior levels in the Group. It is based at BG Group Place in Houston. Work is carried out at various locations (including UK, Houston, Singapore and Australia), with approximately 35% international travel.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the GEMS organisation, its operating model (Front, Middle, Back Office and other functional support structures) and marketing, trading, LNG commercial operations and shipping activities. Draw on relevant previous experience in marketing and trading businesses whilst appreciating the unique nature of BG’s operations.
• Plan, organise and carry out reviews of operational processes, procedures and operating practices of the GEMS organisation.
• Challenge GEMS management, where appropriate, on the design and operation of controls as set out in applicable marketing and trading policies such as the Trading Limits Policy.
• Work alone or as part of a team of two or more auditors, in either a lead or a team member capacity. 
• Prepare reports to line management, up to Executive VP and Group director level, which make practical recommendations for reducing risk or improving efficiency.
• Review and monitor responses to recommendations to help ensure appropriate action is taken by management.
• Complete reviews using the prescribed methodology and tools ensuring that the required quality of work is met within agreed budgets and timescales.
• Undertake ad-hoc work as required to support the business in its assessment and control of significant business risks and in developing new operating procedures. Provide relevant, credible and effective internal controls advice to all levels of management and staff. Promote best practice, leveraging experience and insight from other marketing and trading businesses.
• Provide coaching and support to other auditors in induction and review work.
• Actively support the function's management team in the achievement of targets, KPIs and the implementation of initiatives to ensure Group Audit continuously improves and develops in line with business requirements and best practice.
• Improve personal skills, as measured against the BG competencies and set out in an agreed personal development plan, to aid personal career development and improve the skills base of BG management.
Every individual has a duty to both themselves and those around them to ensure that safe practice is adhered to at all times. In addition to any specific accountabilities for HSSE, all employees are accountable for ensuring that they take care of themselves and adopt exemplary safe behaviours.

BG Group is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. It is company policy to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practice without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, citizenship or disability.

BG Group provides reasonable accommodations so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the selection process. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please advise us by using the online contact form located on the search apply page of the website. Please state your request for assistance in your message. Thank you for considering a career with BG Group.

Unique Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Attribute

Professional qualifications and experience
A graduate business manager with industry-related experience, with a strong understanding of key drivers of value, business processes and risk management principles.

Alternatively, a graduate accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) with post qualification experience of managing challenging assignments in complex organisations. Likely to be a manager in a Big 4 professional services practice or a blue chip organisation. 

Prior experience working in, or auditing, a commodities (preferably energy related) trading organisation (e.g. Marketing and trading operations in an Oil and Gas / Mining / Utilities business, Investment Bank, Commodities Trading House). Subject matter expertise could have been gained through exposure to Front Office (including Commercial Operations), Middle Office (Product Control, Market Risk, Operational Risk) and functional support areas (Governance, Finance, Regulatory Compliance). 
Range of risk-based audit and non-audit business experience gained as part of teams of qualified/professional staff, tasked to deliver projects to time and adding value.

Possess potential for promotion within 2 to 3 years. Highly regarded by current employer.


Management skills
Deliver - drive audits to a speedy conclusion and meet agreed objectives. Seeks opportunities and acts on them. Accountable for own decisions. Resilience to deal with changes in priority and with confrontation. Collate evidence to support appropriate decisions. Deliver clear, concise and factual reports.

Challenge - self-motivated, independent and committed. Reach sound conclusions and reasoned judgements with realistic timetables - based on rapid assimilation of unfamiliar facts. Positively challenge current ways of working. Seeks continuous improvement in processes and people. Prioritise, plan and manage own time. Initiative and discipline to maintain and enhance departmental standards. See the bigger picture.

Concern - tactful and persuasive. Present sensitive and potentially confrontational issues directly and persuasively to all staff levels. Sell Group Audit internally and externally and respond to a variety of business questions. Explain technical issues to non-technical audience. Aware of others, the environment and own impact on these. Able to chair department meetings. A sense of humour!

Collaborate - build and maintain good working relationships and an extensive network across the business. Proactively support and challenge the business in risk management and control. Learn from contacts within the business and outside to improve departmental and personal performance.

Develop - flexible, credible and self-assured style - but know own limitations. Communicate findings and supportively challenge through a mixture of approaches. Coach other auditors effectively.

Additional Information for External Candidates

BG Group values diversity and is committed to equal opportunities; applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates.
 
Please note that after the closing date you will no longer be able to apply for the vacancy. The specific time of closing is midnight UK time on the date displayed. BG Group also reserves the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date without prior notice.