Head of Internal Audit (EMIRATI)

Salt; Dubai; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Salt in the United Arab Emirates seeks an executive-level Head of Internal Audit to lead an independent assurance function, strengthen governance, and engage confidently with Board-level stakeholders, regulators, and senior management. The role requires extensive UAE banking experience and a track record of influencing governance and risk decisions.

You will set the function's direction, oversee coverage across critical areas, and lead a high‑performing team with professional independence and

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience within banking or financial services, including substantial depth in Internal Audit and assurance.
• Proven experience presenting complex audit matters to Boards, regulators, and senior management.
• CIA is highly preferred; qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, CISA, CFA, or CRMA are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Set overall direction of Internal Audit, aligning with risk profile and regulatory obligations.
• Provide independent insights to Board Audit Committee and leadership on control effectiveness and risks.
• Oversee assurance coverage across core banking activities and high‑risk areas.
• Strengthen audit quality through methodologies, analytics, and reporting practices.
• Maintain relationships with regulators, external auditors, and senior stakeholders.
• Lead and develop the audit team with strong independence and accountability.

Skills

Audit leadership

Board interaction

Regulatory compliance

Risk-based auditing

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking, Business Administration, Audit

Job description

We are hiring a for an executive-level opportunity in .

This role is suited to an accomplished audit leader who can provide independent assurance, strengthen governance and control frameworks, and engage confidently with Board-level stakeholders, regulators, and senior management.

Responsibilities

• Set the overall direction of the Internal Audit function, ensuring audit priorities remain aligned with the organisation's evolving risk profile, regulatory obligations, and strategic priorities.
• Provide independent insight to the Board Audit Committee and executive leadership on control effectiveness, governance weaknesses, emerging risks, and areas requiring management attention.
• Oversee assurance coverage across core banking activities, financial crime controls, technology, treasury, credit, compliance, and other higher-risk areas.
• Strengthen audit quality by introducing effective methodologies, analytics, reporting practices, and approaches that improve the depth and relevance of assurance work.
• Maintain constructive relationships with regulators, external auditors, and senior stakeholders while coordinating responses to reviews, findings, and remediation commitments.
• Lead and develop the audit team, ensuring strong technical capability, professional independence, clear accountability, and timely closure of significant audit issues.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience within banking or financial services, including substantial depth in Internal Audit and assurance.
• Previous Head of Internal Audit or comparable experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong practical knowledge of risk-based auditing, governance, internal controls, regulatory compliance, and IIA professional standards.
• Proven experience presenting complex audit matters to Board Audit Committees, senior executives, regulators, and external assurance providers.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Banking, Business Administration, Audit, or a related discipline.
• CIA certification is highly preferred, with qualifications such as: CPA, ACCA, CISA, CFA, or CRMA considered an additional advantage.

This is an opportunity to lead an independent assurance function at the highest level, influence governance and risk decisions, and help strengthen the organisation's overall control environment.

If you are a senior internal audit leader with extensive UAE banking experience and the credibility to operate with Boards, regulators, and executive management, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted