United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · Principal/Manager (12-16 years)

Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

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One email: what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for, where it leads, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

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  • Experience bandPrincipal/Manager (12-16 years)
  • Direct reports10-25 reports
  • Reports toDirector, CQHS Governance & Risk
  • UK framework levelUsually a manager, or the deepest specialist in a team

Also advertised as Principal Systems Auditor · Head of Systems Audit (CQHS) · Compliance Systems Manager

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management Innovate Awarding · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician) GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management
Managing quality and quality systems IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician)
Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence
Carry out quality audits in food operations FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills
Good Manufacturing Practice GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance

6 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  2. Managing quality and quality systems Innovate Awarding · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  3. Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  4. Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  5. Carry out quality audits in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
  6. Good Manufacturing Practice GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • AI Governance & Ethical Audit
  • Advanced Data Storytelling for Executives
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

3What this role really is

This job involves leading the audit function that checks systems meet safety and compliance standards, and keeping them running properly.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

EHS/GRC Platforms (e.g., Intelex, Enablon, Cority) Strategic

Leads the selection, implementation, and strategic integration of these platforms across the enterprise. Designs data governance and reporting structures within the system to ensure comprehensive CQHS oversight. You're defining how we use these tools, not just using them.

Audit Management Systems (e.g., AuditBoard, Workiva, TeamMate) Architect

Owns the enterprise strategy for integrated assurance and reporting within these platforms. You'll manage vendor relationships, define how the system supports SOX, ESG, and CQHS modules, and ensure it meets the needs of the entire audit function.

Data Analysis & Visualisation (e.g., Power BI Premium, Tableau Server, SQL) Strategic

Directs the data analytics strategy for the audit function. Defines KPIs for the control environment and oversees the development of executive-level dashboards that provide real-time insights for the board. You'll still understand SQL, but you're directing its use, not writing daily queries.

Document & Process Management (e.g., SharePoint, Confluence, Visio) Strategic

Designs the information architecture for the entire GRC knowledge management system. Sets policies for document retention, version control, and access across the enterprise, ensuring audit evidence is always secure and retrievable.

Enterprise Systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP) Advanced

Advises on control design for new ERP implementations or major upgrades, ensuring CQHS requirements are built in from the start. You'll understand the integration points between the ERP and specialist CQHS systems, identifying potential control gaps.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Audit Programme Scope & Prioritisation No input beyond assigned tasks. Proposes scope for individual audits, but final decision rests with manager. Recommends audit priorities for specific domains; consults with Lead Auditor/Manager.
Budget Allocation for Audit Function No budget authority. Requests resources for specific audit projects. Manages small project budgets (e.g., £5K for specific tool licences).
Hiring & Performance Management No hiring or performance management authority. Provides peer feedback for performance reviews. Interviews junior candidates, provides input on performance reviews for mentees.
Audit Methodology & Tool Selection Follows established methodology; uses assigned tools. Suggests minor improvements to existing methodologies. Proposes and tests new audit techniques or software within their domain.
Executive Reporting & Strategic Recommendations Documents findings for manager review. Drafts audit reports for review. Presents findings to process owners; contributes to executive summaries.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Control Environment Maturity Score
Improvement in our overall GRC maturity level, as assessed by an independent framework.
Target · Increase maturity from Level 2 ('Managed') to Level 3 ('Defined') within 24 months.

Moving from ad-hoc, reactive controls to documented, consistently applied, and monitored processes across 80% of critical CQHS systems.

Aggregate Critical CQHS Risk Reduction
A measurable decrease in the overall risk score for the top 10 critical CQHS risks identified in our enterprise risk register.
Target · Achieve a 15% reduction in the aggregate risk score for critical CQHS risks year-over-year.

If the initial aggregate risk score for the top 10 risks was 150, we'd aim for it to be 127.5 or lower by the end of the year, showing our controls are working.

Audit Programme Return on Investment (ROI)
Demonstrating the value the audit function brings by quantifying identified cost savings, avoided fines, or risk mitigation directly attributable to audit findings and recommendations.
Target · Show that the audit function identifies at least 3x its operating budget in value (cost savings, avoided fines, risk mitigation) annually.

If the department's budget is £1M, you'd need to show £3M in quantifiable value, perhaps by identifying a process flaw that prevented a £2M regulatory fine and a system gap that saved £1M in potential incident costs.

Team Audit Cycle Time & Efficiency
The average time taken for your team to complete an audit from planning to final report, alongside the number of audits completed per auditor.
Target · Reduce average audit cycle time by 20% while maintaining quality, and increase audits completed per auditor by 10% through process optimisation.

If audits typically take 8 weeks, you'd aim for 6.4 weeks. If an auditor usually completes 4 audits a year, they'd now aim for 4.4, meaning better coverage without sacrificing depth.

Executive Committee Trust & Engagement
How much the Executive Committee relies on your team's insights for strategic decisions related to risk and compliance.
  • You'll be regularly invited to present at Executive Committee meetings, your opinions will be actively sought on major system changes or new regulatory challenges, and your recommendations will be consistently acted upon. They'll see you as a proactive partner, not just a reactive checker.
Proactive Risk Identification & Mitigation
Your team's ability to identify emerging risks and control weaknesses *before* they become major issues, influencing business decisions.
  • Your audit plan will show a clear focus on future risks, not just past problems. Business units will consult your team early in project lifecycles to design controls, rather than waiting for an audit. You'll regularly present 'early warning' insights to leadership that lead to preventative action.
Team Development & Morale
The growth and engagement of your direct reports, ensuring a high-performing and motivated audit team.
  • High retention rates within your team, positive feedback in internal engagement surveys, and clear progression paths for your team members (e.g., promotions, increased responsibilities). You'll be known as a manager who genuinely invests in their people's careers.
Influence on Control Design & Implementation
The extent to which your team's expertise shapes the design of new systems and processes to be compliant and secure from the outset.
  • Your team will be embedded in major project steering committees, providing input on control design during the requirements gathering phase. You'll see fewer 'retrospective fixes' and more 'built-in quality' in new system rollouts, directly attributable to your team's early involvement.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Building a High-Performing Team

You'll spend time mentoring your senior auditors, helping them develop their leadership skills. You'll celebrate team wins, big or small, and actively work to remove roadblocks for your direct reports. Seeing your team grow and deliver exceptional work genuinely energises you.

One of your junior auditors gets promoted to Senior, and you know you played a significant part in their development, from coaching them on difficult conversations to helping them master complex data analysis.

Driving Strategic Impact & Organisational Protection

You're motivated by the knowledge that your team's work directly prevents major risks and shapes the company's control environment. You'll enjoy seeing your recommendations implemented at an executive level, knowing you've made a tangible difference to safety and compliance.

Your team identifies a critical vulnerability in a new manufacturing process, and your executive presentation leads to a £500K investment in new controls, preventing a potential £5M regulatory fine and serious safety incident.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

You're always looking for better ways to do things – whether it's optimising audit methodologies, exploring new GRC technologies, or finding more efficient ways to report findings. You'll champion the use of AI to make your team more effective and push for a more proactive audit approach.

You successfully implement a new AI-driven tool that reduces the time spent on routine data extraction by 30% for your team, freeing them up for more complex analysis and strategic work.

What frustrates people
  • Dealing with executive-level pushback on significant findings, even when the risk is clearly articulated.
  • The slow pace of change and implementation of corrective actions across large organisations.
  • Managing team dynamics and individual performance challenges, which can be time-consuming.
  • Trying to secure budget and resources for audit technology or training when other departments are also vying for funds.
  • The 'pre-audit scramble' where business units try to fix things last minute, making it harder to assess true control effectiveness.
What this role does not give you
  • A purely individual contributor role with no people management responsibilities.
  • A role where you're always popular; sometimes you'll be seen as the 'bad guy' for pointing out issues.
  • A completely predictable day-to-day; urgent issues or new regulatory requirements will often derail your plans.
  • A role where every single recommendation you make is immediately adopted without question.

8Who you work with

You're directly responsible for the health and effectiveness of our internal control environment across all CQHS systems. Your work helps us proactively identify and mitigate systemic risks, ensuring we meet our regulatory obligations and maintain our operational licence. Essentially, you're building the bedrock of trust and safety for the entire organisation.

Inside the business
  • Executive Committee (especially COO, CISO, General Counsel)
  • Heads of Operations, Manufacturing, and Product Development
  • IT Leadership (for system access and data integrity)
  • Legal and Regulatory Affairs
  • Finance (for budget and risk reporting)
Outside the business
  • External Auditors (e.g., for ISO certifications)
  • Regulatory Bodies (e.g., HSE, Environment Agency)
  • Certification Bodies (e.g., BSI, LRQA)
  • Key Technology Vendors

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • At least 10 years of progressive experience in systems auditing, internal audit, or GRC roles, with a significant portion in a senior or lead capacity.
  • Demonstrable experience managing and developing a team of auditors or compliance professionals.
  • Proven track record of designing and implementing audit programmes and methodologies.
  • Experience presenting complex audit findings and risk assessments to senior management and executive committees.
  • Deep practical knowledge of ISO standards (9001, 45001, 14001) and their application in a commercial setting.
  • A solid understanding of enterprise-level GRC platforms and audit management systems.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Cloud Security & Compliance Auditing

More and more of our critical systems and data are moving to the cloud. You need to understand the unique security and compliance challenges of cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) to ensure your team can audit them effectively.

Shared Responsibility Model · Cloud Native Controls · Data Residency & Sovereignty · DevSecOps Integration

  • This month: Read up on the AWS Well-Architected Framework (Security Pillar) or Azure Security Benchmark.
  • Next 3 months: Attend a webinar or introductory course on cloud security fundamentals.
  • Next 6 months: Work with our IT Security team to understand our current cloud architecture and control implementation.
  • Next 12 months: Develop a specific audit programme for cloud-based CQHS systems.

Quick win: Ask our IT team for a high-level overview of our cloud footprint and the key security controls in place. Just get familiar with the terminology.

Cyber-Physical System (CPS) & IoT Auditing

As our manufacturing, operational, and safety systems become increasingly connected (IoT, Industry 4.0), the audit scope expands to include these cyber-physical systems. A breach or failure here can have real-world safety consequences.

Operational Technology (OT) Security · IoT Device Security · Supply Chain Security (IoT) · Safety-Critical System Assurance

  • This quarter: Research common vulnerabilities in industrial control systems (ICS) and IoT devices.
  • Next 3 months: Engage with our Operations and IT teams to understand our current IoT/OT footprint and associated risks.
  • Next 6 months: Develop a high-level audit plan for a critical cyber-physical system within our operations.
  • Next 12 months: Consider a certification like the GIAC Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP) for relevant team members.

Quick win: Talk to our Head of Operations about the most critical connected devices or automated systems in our factories. What keeps them up at night regarding these systems?

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend industry conferences and workshops on GRC, internal audit, and information security.
  • Actively participate in professional networks (e.g., ISACA, IIA, CQI) to stay current with best practices and emerging trends.
  • Pursue continuous learning through online courses or executive education programmes in areas like AI governance, cloud security, or advanced analytics.
  • Mentor junior auditors and share your knowledge, which is a great way to solidify your own understanding and contribute to the profession.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Governance & Ethical Audit

As more of our business processes and systems become AI-driven, auditing them for fairness, bias, transparency, and data integrity becomes critical. Regulators are already looking at this, and we need to be prepared.

  • Explainable AI (XAI)
  • AI Risk Frameworks
  • Data Provenance & Integrity
  • Algorithmic Bias Detection

Advanced Data Storytelling for Executives

It's not enough to just present data; you need to tell a compelling story that resonates with busy executives and drives action. With more data available, the ability to distil it into clear, actionable insights is paramount.

  • Narrative Structure in Reporting
  • Visualisation Best Practices
  • Audience-Centric Communication
  • Impact-Oriented Language

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • International Standards Auditing (Strategic Application)
  • Control Framework Design & Implementation
  • Advanced Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Leadership
  • Enterprise Risk Assessment Methodologies
  • Process Optimisation & BPMN Standards

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Senior Systems Auditor (Internal)

    3-5 years as a Senior/Lead Systems Auditor (L3/L4)

    Skills to master

    • Leading complex audits, mentoring junior staff, presenting findings to senior management, developing audit programmes, and managing stakeholder relationships.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently delivers high-quality, impactful audit reports without significant rework.
    • Successfully led multiple multi-system audits, demonstrating strong project management skills.
    • Recognised as a go-to expert for a specific CQHS domain or system.
    • Has a track record of effectively coaching and developing junior team members.
  2. 2

    External Audit Manager / Senior Consultant (GRC)

    5-8 years in a management role at a Big Four or specialist GRC consulting firm.

    Skills to master

    • Managing client engagements, leading audit teams, developing risk-based audit approaches, and advising clients on control design and compliance strategy.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Managed audit engagements for complex organisations, demonstrating strong client relationship skills.
    • Proven ability to lead and develop audit teams in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
    • Deep expertise in applying various control frameworks and regulatory requirements.
    • Strong commercial awareness and ability to articulate value.
  3. 3

    Compliance or Quality Manager (from another industry)

    8-12 years in a compliance or quality management role, ideally in a regulated industry.

    Skills to master

    • Managing compliance programmes, interpreting regulations, implementing quality management systems, and leading teams. You'd need to quickly get up to speed on our specific systems and industry risks.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully managed a compliance or quality function in a complex organisation.
    • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements.
    • Proven leadership skills in a highly regulated environment.
    • A quick learner who can rapidly adapt their knowledge to our specific industry and systems.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to roles such as Chief Compliance & Quality Officer or Chief Risk Officer, overseeing compliance and risk across an organisation.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety, worked against Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance.

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety Level 5

Applied to your work in Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the regulations, industry standards, and management requirements for process safety. Learners will understand the role of the Process Safety Leadership Group, relevant frameworks, legal duties, and the role of the Competent Authority.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance
  • International Standards Auditing (Strategic Application)
  • Control Framework Design & Implementation
  • Advanced Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Leadership
  • Enterprise Risk Assessment Methodologies
  • Process Optimisation & BPMN Standards
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Director, CQHS Governance & Risk

    3-5 years in the Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance role.

    Level 6 (Director/VP)

    • GRC technology strategy and vendor management at an enterprise level.
    • M&A due diligence and integration from a CQHS perspective.
    • Developing and managing multi-year strategic roadmaps for the entire CQHS function.
    • Influencing corporate policy and culture at the highest levels.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Systems Assurance Manager, you're always looking for ways to make your team more effective and give them more time for the really complex, strategic work. Good news: AI isn't just a buzzword; it's a game-changer for audit teams. We're embracing it to supercharge our capabilities.

Imagine your team spending less time on tedious data extraction and report drafting, and more time on deep analysis, risk identification, and strategic recommendations. That's the promise of AI in systems assurance. We're building an environment where you and your team can use these tools to deliver higher quality audits, faster, and with deeper insights.

Automated Control Monitoring

Empower your team to use AI scripts that continuously monitor system logs for high-risk events – think unauthorised access changes, disabled safety controls, or out-of-spec quality readings. This shifts us from annual snapshots to real-time assurance, letting your auditors focus on exceptions.

Thematic Risk Analysis

Guide your team to use Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyse thousands of unstructured incident reports, near-miss logs, and safety observations. This helps them identify systemic root causes and emerging risk trends that are virtually impossible to spot with manual review, giving you better insights for executive reporting.

Regulatory Change Summariser

Give your team an AI assistant to ingest new regulations or updates to ISO standards. It'll automatically summarise key changes and cross-reference them against our existing control library, instantly flagging potential compliance gaps for your review. No more slogging through hundreds of pages of legalese.

First-Draft Finding Generator

Leverage generative AI to help your auditors create structured, well-written first drafts of audit findings. They provide the evidence and key points, and the AI formats it into a standard report structure (Condition, Criteria, Cause, Consequence, Recommendation), saving hours on report writing and ensuring consistency.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance?

Common routes in include Senior Systems Auditor (Internal) (3-5 years as a Senior/Lead Systems Auditor (L3/L4)), External Audit Manager / Senior Consultant (GRC) (5-8 years in a management role at a Big Four or specialist GRC consulting firm.) and Compliance or Quality Manager (from another industry) (8-12 years in a compliance or quality management role, ideally in a regulated industry.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance progress to?

This role can lead on to Director, CQHS Governance & Risk (3-5 years in the Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance role.), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance?

Increasingly, AI Governance & Ethical Audit and Advanced Data Storytelling for Executives. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 5

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

More jobs in compliance, quality and safety

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Skills built here, including leading audit teams, managing compliance programmes and reporting to senior leaders, transfer to other regulated industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals or energy. They also apply to senior GRC consulting work.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Manager, CQHS Systems Assurance plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.