Audit Director (RI)

Job Description:

£80,000 - £90,000 + Clear Route to Partnership
Location: Nottingham (2-3 days per week) | Frequent London travel

Shillito Executive Search is partnering with a dynamic, growth-focused accountancy firm to appoint a commercially minded Audit Director (RI) who wants more than just a portfolio - they want influence, visibility, and a genuine opportunity to shape the future of a scaling audit practice.

This is not a maintenance role. This is a growth role.

You will join at a pivotal stage in the firm's expansion, taking ownership of a high-quality SME and mid-market portfolio while playing a central part in strengthening the firm's London presence and broader strategic ambitions.

For the right individual, this role offers genuine progression - with the opportunity to further elevate your position as the audit practice grows.

As Audit Director and Responsible Individual, you will operate as a senior leader within the firm - balancing technical excellence with strong commercial judgement.

You'll work closely with Partners and the Senior Leadership Team to:

• Shape audit strategy and growth plans

• Drive revenue and portfolio expansion

• Strengthen market positioning, particularly in London

• Maintain exceptional audit quality standards

• Develop the next generation of audit leaders

This role would suit an ambitious Audit Director (or experienced Senior Manager ready to step up) who wants to combine client leadership, business development, and strategic influence.

• Act as Responsible Individual on a portfolio of statutory audits, including group engagements

• Lead and grow a portfolio of SME and mid-market clients

• Drive audit quality, ensuring compliance with UK ISAs, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements

• Play a visible role in business development, proposals, tenders, and networking

• Contribute to pricing strategy and commercial decision-making

• Identify new sector opportunities and service line expansion

• Lead FRC / RSB inspections and internal quality reviews

• Provide technical leadership across UK GAAP (primarily FRS 102) and IFRS

• Mentor and develop Audit Managers, strengthening the leadership pipeline

• Act as a senior ambassador for the firm in both the Midlands and London markets

• ACA / ACCA qualified with Responsible Individual (RI) status

• Significant UK audit experience within an SME or mid-market environment

• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS

• A commercially minded leader who understands profitability, pricing, and growth

• A relationship builder who can win and retain clients

• Comfortable operating at senior leadership level

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ambition to help build and shape a growing audit practice

• Willingness to work hybrid and travel regularly to London

• Genuine strategic influence within a growing firm

• Visible impact on London market expansion

• Clear career progression as the audit practice scales

• A platform to combine technical excellence with commercial leadership

• The opportunity to help shape the next phase of growth

Shillito Executive Search specialises in finding top-tier executive talent for leadership, management, and board-level positions in the manufacturing industry.

We have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the sector and pride ourselves on doing the right things well.

People are our business.