Head of Internal Audit

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,300,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited is recruiting an experienced leader to head the Group Internal Audit function. You will shape the annual risk-based audit plan, oversee complex audits and investigations, and provide independent assurance on risk management and internal controls across the Cathay Group.

You will guide and develop a team of managers, work with senior executives, and report to the General Manager Group Internal Audit. Strong leadership and data analytics capability are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead risk-based internal audit, governance, compliance, regulatory, cyber security and data security reviews across the Cathay Group.
• Shape the annual audit plan and provide independent assurance on risk management and internal controls.
• Support sound corporate governance practices and communicate key insights to executive leadership and the Audit Committee.
• Guide and develop a team of managers; oversee audits, investigations and special reviews.
• Direct internal, guest and external auditors through planning, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Manage departmental budgets, resource planning and utilisation to deliver audit objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Decision making

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Presentation skills

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration or related discipline

CIA or CPA or equivalent professional auditing qualification

Tools

ACL

IDEA

Tableau

SAP

WMS

POS

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Reports to: General Manager Group Internal Audit.

Lead the delivery of risk-based internal audit, governance, compliance, regulatory, cyber security and data security reviews across the Cathay Group. Working closely with senior executives and management teams, you will shape the annual audit plan, provide independent assurance on risk management and internal controls, and support sound corporate governance practices.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on oversight of complex audits, investigations and special reviews. You will guide and develop a team of managers, leverage audit and data analytics tools, and communicate key insights to executive leadership and the Audit Committee. Your work will help protect the Group's assets, strengthen accountability and move people forward through trusted governance and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Item 1 of 10, Develop and execute the Group's annual risk-based audit plan in partnership with senior management and executives Develop and execute the Group's annual risk-based audit plan in partnership with senior management and executives
• Item 2 of 10, Lead internal, operational, regulatory, governance, compliance, cyber security and data security audits across the Cathay Group Lead internal, operational, regulatory, governance, compliance, cyber security and data security audits across the Cathay Group
• Item 3 of 10, Provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of risk management, internal controls and governance frameworks Provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of risk management, internal controls and governance frameworks
• Item 4 of 10, Prepare high-quality reports and papers for Audit Committee meetings and present key findings and recommendations Prepare high-quality reports and papers for Audit Committee meetings and present key findings and recommendations
• Item 5 of 10, Conduct risk assessments and evaluate the adequacy of controls while identifying opportunities for improvement Conduct risk assessments and evaluate the adequacy of controls while identifying opportunities for improvement
• Item 6 of 10, Investigate fraud, irregular transactions, whistleblowing matters and control exceptions, and recommend corrective actions Investigate fraud, irregular transactions, whistleblowing matters and control exceptions, and recommend corrective actions
• Item 7 of 10, Support fraud investigations and special reviews as required Support fraud investigations and special reviews as required
• Item 8 of 10, Manage and coach a team of managers while developing internal audit talent across the function Manage and coach a team of managers while developing internal audit talent across the function
• Item 9 of 10, Direct internal, guest and external auditors through audit planning, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and reporting Direct internal, guest and external auditors through audit planning, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and reporting
• Item 10 of 10, Manage departmental budgets, resource planning and utilisation to ensure effective delivery of audit objectives. Manage departmental budgets, resource planning and utilisation to ensure effective delivery of audit objectives.

Requirements

• Item 1 of 9, Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration or a related discipline Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration or a related discipline
• Item 2 of 9, Professional auditing qualification such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent designation.CPA or CIA is mandatory Professional auditing qualification such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent designation.
  CPA or CIA is mandatory
• Item 3 of 9, Minimum 12 years of audit experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial capacity Minimum 12 years of audit experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial capacity
• Item 4 of 9, Broad internal and external audit experience gained in internationally recognised accounting firms and/or in-house environments is preferred Broad internal and external audit experience gained in internationally recognised accounting firms and/or in-house environments is preferred
• Item 5 of 9, Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities Strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Item 6 of 9, Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity
• Item 7 of 9, Proficiency in data analytics tools such as ACL or equivalent platforms Proficiency in data analytics tools such as ACL or equivalent platforms
• Item 8 of 9, Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ACL, IDEA and Tableau; programming capability and experience with SAP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Point of Sale (POS) systems are preferred Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ACL, IDEA and Tableau; programming capability and experience with SAP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Point of Sale (POS) systems are preferred
• Item 9 of 9, Fluent written and spoken English; Chinese language capability is an advantage. Willingness to travel up to 25%. Fluent written and spoken English; Chinese language capability is an advantage. Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Personal & Application Information

Cathay Pacific is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Personal data provided by job applicants will be used strictly in accordance with our Applicant Personal Information Collection Statement and for recruitment purposes only. Candidates not notified within eight weeks may consider their application unsuccessful. We keep records of your data for no longer than is necessary for the purpose for which we obtained them and any other permitted linked purposes. If your application is unsuccessful, we will keep your details on file for as long as is necessary to process your application or for the purposes of further job opportunities if you agree to such longer periods.