Audit Director (Operation & Projects) - Internal Audit Department

Depa Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Depa Group is seeking an Audit Director (Operation & Projects) to lead planning, execution and delivery of internal audits across operations, construction projects, contract management, and commercial activities. You will provide independent assurance and advisory support to strengthen governance, risk management and controls, reporting to the CAO/Head of Internal Audit.

Based in Dubai with future relocation to Riyadh, you will partner with C-suite and senior stakeholders to drive risk-informed

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Projects, Engineering or related field.
• Professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, ACA, CISA or CFE are mandatory.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience, ideally within construction industry.
• Experience leading internal audit activities across operations and contracts.
• Strong knowledge of governance, risk and control frameworks including IPPF.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of internal audit engagements across operations and projects.
• Plan, scope, and deliver end-to-end audits with adherence to methodology and standards.
• Assess internal controls, risk management and governance processes.
• Evaluate contract administration controls and compliance.
• Deliver high-quality audit reports with root cause analysis and actionable recommendations.
• Monitor management action plans and ensure timely remediation.
• Provide advisory support on risk matters while maintaining independence.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to communicate insights and strengthen controls.
• Lead, mentor, and develop audit team members.

Skills

Operational risk

Controls

Contractual frameworks

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Governance & IPPF knowledge

Data-driven auditing

C-suite communication

Education

Bachelor degree in Business Administration/Projects/Engineering

CIA/CPA/ACA/CISA/CFE certification

Job description

The Audit Director (Operation & Projects) is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and delivery of Internal Audit engagements covering operations, construction projects, contract management, commercial activities, and project lifecycle controls across the Group. Ensure audits are delivered in line with approved audit plan and methodology, with formal reporting and agreed action plans. The role provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal control processes in line with the Internal Audit Charter. Partners with the c-suite provide insights that make a positive difference to the Group.

Note

POSITION WILL BE INITIALLY BASED IN DUBAI AND LATER WILL BE MOVED TO RIYADH, KSA (applicants must be flexible to relocate to Riyadh in future)

Responsibilities

1. Lead the development and execution of audit engagements covering operations, construction projects, and contract management in line with the risk-based audit plan.
2. Plan, scope, and deliver end-to-end audits (planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up) ensuring adherence to Internal Audit methodology and standards.
3. Assess the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes across operational and commercial activities.
4. Evaluate controls over contract administration, variation orders, claims management, and contractual compliance.
5. Provide assurance on project execution, cost controls, procurement, subcontracting, and commercial management processes.
6. Identify and assess key risks including contractual non-compliance, cost overruns, claims leakage, and operational inefficiencies.
7. Deliver high-quality audit reports with clear root causes, risk impact, and practical, actionable recommendations with agreed timelines.
8. Monitor and follow up on management action plans to ensure timely remediation of audit findings.
9. Provide advisory support to management on operational, contractual, and commercial risk matters while maintaining independence.
10. Engage with senior stakeholders (Projects, Commercial, Procurement, Legal) to communicate audit insights and strengthen control environment.
11. Escalate significant issues where risk exposure is unacceptable or outside defined risk appetite.
12. Lead, mentor, and develop audit team members, ensuring adequate competencies and performance within the function.
13. Contribute to continuous improvement of audit methodologies, tools, and data-driven auditing capabilities.
14. Support the Head of Internal Audit / CAO/ in delivering board-level reporting and insights to the Audit & Compliance Committee
15. Presents regular and ad-hoc management reports on new opportunities, highlight critical issues and challenges, and provide strategic insight to inform key decision-making.
16. Responsible for administering the Speak-Up Policy of the Group.

Position requirements

• Bachelor degree – Business Administration , Projects, Engineering or any related field
• A recognized professional certification such as CIA, CPA, ACA, CISA, CFE or equivalent Must

Minimum of 10 years of experience in progressive and more complex industry preferably with experience leading a range of internal audit activities across the construction industry.

Competencies (knowledge, skills, general abilities)

• Strong understanding of:
  • Operational risk and controls
  • Contractual frameworks and claims
  • Ability to influence, communicate and lead discussions with ACC, C-suite and Senior management
• Proven ability in business process improvement.
• Proven ability in leading internal audit teams.
• In-depth knowledge of governance, risk and control frameworks and concepts, including the IIA’s International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF)
• Strong relationship management skills, based on credibility, rapport and trust.
• Strong business acumen and industry knowledge.
• Advanced critical thinker, providing objective assurance and insight to management.