Head - Internal Audit

Confidential Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company seeks a seasoned Head of Internal Audit to oversee the function across the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Oman, India and China. You will deliver independent evaluations of financial, operational and compliance processes and report to the Audit Committee.

The role requires strategic leadership, deep risk management and strong people management to drive process improvements while maintaining integrity and independence across multi-country operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional certification such as CIA, CA, CPA, or ACCA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of internal audit experience, with at least 5 years in leadership or managerial roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive internal audit strategy aligned with business objectives and risk profile across UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Oman, India, and China.
• Provide independent assurance to management and the Board on internal controls, governance and risk management.
• Plan, execute and manage audits across finance, operations, compliance and IT systems.
• Identify areas for process improvement, cost optimization and internal control enhancements with actionable recommendations.
• Lead and develop the internal audit team; provide mentorship and performance evaluations.
• Communicate audit findings clearly to stakeholders and track remediation actions.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders including senior management, auditors and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Audit techniques

Strategic thinking

Communication

Integrity & ethics

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business

CIA/CA/CPA/ACCA certification

Tools

Digital audit tools

Job description

• Develop and implement a comprehensive internal audit strategy that aligns with company s business objectives and risk profile across the UAE KSA Bahrain Oman India and China
• Provide independent assurance to management and the Board on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls governance and risk management processes
• Plan execute and manage audits covering finance operations compliance and IT systems across multiple business units and locations
• Identify areas of process improvement cost optimization and internal control enhancements present actionable recommendations to senior leadership
• Maintain and strengthen the integrity and independence of the internal audit function
• Drive a culture of accountability ethics and continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Keep abreast of regulatory requirements statutory laws and industry best practices in all operating countries ensure company compliance
• Lead and develop the internal audit team providing mentorship training and performance evaluations
• Communicate audit findings clearly and promptly to stakeholders facilitate corrective actions and track remediation
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders including senior management auditors and regulatory bodies

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field.

Professional certification(s) such as CIA, CA, CPA, or ACCA preferred.

Minimum 10 years of internal audit experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership or managerial role, ideally within trading or manufacturing industries.

In-depth knowledge of internal control frameworks, risk management, compliance standards, and process improvement methodologies.

Demonstrated experience leading audit teams in multi-country operational environments.

Strong understanding of financial, operational, and IT audit techniques.

Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

High level of integrity, independence, and professional ethics.

A valid UAE driving license is required for this role.

Preferred Experience:Prior experience in the building materials, construction, or hardware industry is highly desirable.

Experience with digital audit tools and implementation of automation in audit processes.

Exposure to compliance requirements in the GCC, India, and/or China.

About the Company:

A leading trading and manufacturing company specializing in building materials, construction items, hardware, hand tools, power tools, fabrication solutions, and industrial items. With core operations across the UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Oman, India, and China, we serve a diverse spectrum of industrial, commercial, and infrastructure clients. Our commitment to integrity, quality, and continual improvement has established us as a trusted partner regionally and internationally.

Role Overview:

Wew are seeking a seasoned Head of Internal Audit to lead our internal audit function across all departments and geographies.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in providing independent and objective evaluations of the company’s financial, operational, and compliance processes.

This senior position requires strong leadership, a strategic mindset, and deep expertise in internal audit, internal controls, risk management, and process optimization.

The Head of Internal Audit will report directly to the Audit Committee and senior management.