Group Chief Internal Audit Officer

Client of James Douglas Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 390,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of James Douglas Middle East seeks a Group Chief Internal Audit Officer to lead an independent IA function across the group, reporting to the Audit Committee and CEO. You will provide assurance to the Board, senior management and regulators on governance, risk management, and controls in accordance with IIA standards.

You will own the annual audit plan, oversee audits across financial controls, payments, AML and technology, and drive AI/ML audit coverage.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Internal Audit or Risk, including significant technology / IT audit leadership.
• Big Four or equivalent consulting experience with in-house IA leadership.
• CIA qualification is required.
• Additional qualifications such as CISA, CPA, CMA, CFE, CISM or information-security certifications are highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading a GIAS / IPPF-conformant Internal Audit function, ideally through an External Quality Assessment.
• Strong hands-on leadership across IT, technology and AI-related audits.
• Experience within regulated financial services, payments, fintech or banking.
• Exposure to UAE regulators, with eligibility for Fit and Proper approval.
• Arabic language capability would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver the risk-based annual audit plan across all group entities.
• Provide independent assurance across finance operations, regulatory compliance and technology.
• Oversee audits covering financial controls, payments, treasury, AML, conduct procurement and third-party risk.
• Lead technology and AI audit across AI/ML systems, model risk, data lineage, data sovereignty, cybersecurity and technology controls.
• Present quarterly assurance, risk and audit findings to the Audit Committee and senior leadership.
• Lead and develop senior audit leaders across Finance & Operations, Audit and Technology & AI Audit.
• Maintain audit independence while engaging with the Board, CEO, C-suite and regulators.
• Drive use of data analytics, AI and machine learning within Internal Audit methodology.

Skills

Leadership in IA

IT/Tech audit

Regulated FS experience

Data analytics & AI auditing

Board/C-suite comms

UAE regulatory awareness

Education

CIA - Certified Internal Auditor

CISA

CPA

CMA

CFE

CISM

Job description

The Group Chief Internal Audit Officer will lead an independent Internal Audit function across the group reporting functionally to the Audit Committee of the Board and administratively to the CEO. The role will provide independent assurance to the Board senior management and regulators across governance risk management and controls while maintaining full conformance with the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.

Key responsibilities include

• Own and deliver the risk-based annual audit plan across all group entities
• Provide independent assurance across finance operations regulatory compliance and technology
• Oversee audits covering financial controls payments treasury AML conduct procurement and third-party risk
• Lead technology and AI audit across AI ML systems model risk data lineage data sovereignty cybersecurity and technology controls
• Maintain appropriate audit coverage for CBUAE-regulated businesses and support Fit and Proper requirements
• Present quarterly assurance risk and audit findings to the Audit Committee and senior leadership
• Lead and develop senior audit leaders across Finance amp Operations Audit and Technology amp AI Audit
• Maintain strong relationships with the Board CEO C-suite and regulators while preserving complete audit independence
• Drive the effective use of data analytics AI and machine learning within the Internal Audit methodology

Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years of experience in Internal Audit or Risk, including significant technology / IT audit leadership.
• Previous Big Four or equivalent consulting experience, combined with in-house leadership of an Internal Audit function.
• Active Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualification.
• Additional qualifications such as CISA, CPA, CMA, CFE, CISM or information-security certifications are highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading a GIAS / IPPF-conformant Internal Audit function, ideally through an External Quality Assessment.
• Strong hands-on leadership experience across IT, technology and AI-related audits.
• Experience within regulated financial services, payments, fintech or banking.
• Exposure to CBUAE or comparable GCC financial regulators, with eligibility for Fit and Proper approval.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulatory environments, including DIFC and ADGM.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, payments, treasury, AML, operational risk and third-party risk.
• Ability to challenge technology teams across areas including AI/ML model risk, data lineage, data sovereignty, change management and access controls.
• Strong Board, C-suite and regulator-facing communication skills.
• Arabic language capability would be an advantage.