Director of Internal Audit

Confidentiel; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Leading Company in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Director, Internal Audit to head the function and provide independent assurance to the Board and Audit Committee on governance, risk management and internal controls.

You will drive an assurance culture, oversee cross-functional audits, and build a strong, data-driven audit team in a full-time role based in Abu Dhabi.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, CA, ACCA, or CISA (CIA preferred).
• 12+ years in internal audit, risk, or assurance; 5+ years in senior leadership.
• Strong knowledge of IIA standards, COSO, governance and ERM.
• Experience presenting to Boards and Audit Committees.
• Fluent Arabic and English (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the risk-based annual internal audit plan aligned with strategy.
• Lead and oversee audits across financial, operational, compliance, IT, and performance areas.
• Evaluate governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Report findings, risk exposures, and recommendations to the Audit Committee and management.
• Track implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and IIA standards.
• Assess fraud risks and lead investigations when required.
• Build and develop a high-performing audit team.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, regulators, and government entities.
• Promote data analytics and digital tools in audit methodologies.
• Manage department budget, resources, and QA programs.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Decision making

Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

CIA/CPA/CA/ACCA/CISA certification

Job description

Company: Leading Company in Abu Dhabi

Location: Abu Dhabi

Employment type: Full-time

Reports to: Audit Committee

About the Role

A leading organization in Abu Dhabi is seeking an accomplished Director, Internal Audit to lead the internal audit function. The role provides independent assurance to the Board and Audit Committee on governance, risk management, and internal controls, and drives a strong culture of accountability and compliance across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the risk-based annual internal audit plan, aligned with the organization's strategy and approved by the Audit Committee
• Lead and oversee financial, operational, compliance, IT, and performance audits across all business units
• Evaluate the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks
• Report audit findings, risk exposures, and recommendations to the Audit Committee and senior management
• Track and follow up on the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and international auditing standards (IIA)
• Assess fraud risks and lead special investigations when required
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing audit team, including succession planning
• Manage relationships with external auditors, regulators, and government entities
• Promote the use of data analytics and digital tools in audit methodologies
• Manage the department budget, resources, and quality assurance programs

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, CA, ACCA, or CISA (CIA preferred)
• Minimum [12+] years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk, or assurance, including [5+] years in a senior leadership role
• Strong knowledge of IIA standards, COSO, corporate governance, and enterprise risk management
• Proven experience presenting to Boards and Audit Committees
• Experience in government, semi-government, banking, energy, or large corporate sectors is an advantage
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Fluent Arabic and English (written and spoken)
• High integrity, objectivity, and professional judgment