Head of Internal Audit, Hong Kong

Pure Search; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure Search seeks an experienced Head of Internal Audit to lead the Hong Kong internal audit function for a premier international financial institution. You will drive the audit strategy, provide independent assurance to senior management and regional stakeholders, and interact with regulators and external auditors.

This leadership role requires building and guiding a high-performing team, aligning audit plans with business priorities, and ensuring robust risk management, governance, and control

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years' audit, risk management, or related experience in banking/financial services.
• Experience leading direct or indirect audit teams.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, risk management, governance, and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of lending, treasury, derivatives, and core banking activities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience establishing or leading an internal audit function.
• Professional audit or accounting qualifications (CIA, CPA, ACCA, CISA) advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the internal audit function and develop the annual audit plan based on organizational priorities and risk assessments.
• Assess and evaluate key risks across the Hong Kong business and ensure appropriate audit coverage.
• Direct, manage, and review internal audit engagements to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with professional standards.
• Present audit findings, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior management and governance committees.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements, and professional auditing standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop audit team members, promoting continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Partner with business leaders to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Manage departmental resources and budget to ensure effective delivery of audit objectives.
• Maintain relationships with regulators, external auditors, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

Risk assessment

Internal audit

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Job description

A leading international financial institution is seeking an experienced Head of Internal Audit to lead and oversee its Hong Kong internal audit function. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective risk management, governance, compliance, and control processes across the organization.

This role will lead the development and execution of the audit strategy, provide independent assurance to senior management and regional stakeholders, and maintain constructive engagement with regulators and external auditors. The position reports functionally to the Group Audit function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the internal audit function and develop the annual audit plan based based on organizational priorities and risk assessments.
• Assess and evaluate key risks across the Hong Kong business and ensure appropriate audit coverage.
• Direct, manage, and review internal audit engagements to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance with professional standards.
• Present audit findings, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior management and relevant governance committees.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements, and professional auditing standards.
• Lead, mentor, and develop audit team members, promoting continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Partner with business and functional leaders to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Manage departmental resources and budget to ensure effective delivery of audit objectives.
• Maintain relationships with regulators, external auditors, and other relevant stakeholders.

Candidate Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of audit, risk management, or related experience within the banking or financial services industry.
• Experience leading direct or indirect audit teams.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, risk management, governance, and regulatory requirements.
• Sound knowledge of lending, treasury, derivatives, investment products, and other core banking activities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical abilities with the capability to synthesize complex information and provide practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience establishing, leading, or managing an internal audit function.
• Professional audit or accounting qualifications (e.g., CIA, CPA, ACCA, CISA) would be advantageous.