Group Internal Audit Director

Brightwater Executive; Dublin; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwater Executive is partnering with a global insurer to appoint a Group Internal Audit Director responsible for independent assurance over ICFR, finance risks, and financial reporting amid a complex multi-entity, multi-region environment across Europe, UK, USA and APAC.

The role leads planning, execution and reporting of internal audits, shaping coverage strategy and challenging control designs, while collaborating with executive leadership, audit committees and external auditors to drive

Qualifications

• 15+ years of enterprise-wide Internal Audit experience with SOX/ICFR
• Background in general insurance or life assurance within regulated financial services
• Strong ICFR technical skills covering financial reporting and governance frameworks
• Auditing techniques and analytics to improve risk assessment and insight generation
• 3rd level degree in accounting/finance with recognised designation (FCA, FCCA, FCPA, CIA) a plus
• Executive presence and ability to influence across multinational environment
• Experience supporting transformation initiatives or significant system implementations

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, completion and reporting of internal audit engagements across the Group
• Own the ICFR Program and reporting to Group and subsidiary Audit Committees and Boards
• Set risk-based coverage strategy for Finance-related risks and processes across entities and regions
• Direct complex audits (finance, operations, governance, pre-implementation) from planning to reporting
• Collaborate with executive leadership, Audit Committees and external auditors to drive assurance
• Deliver strategic insights and actionable recommendations to senior management
• Lead enterprise-wide risk-based internal audits aligned to group strategy and risk profile
• Coach and mentor audit team across regions and support career progression
• Support Group Chief Auditor on annual audit planning and quality initiatives

Skills

SOX / ICFR risk management

Executive leadership

Internal Audit

Audit analytics

IFRS / US GAAP knowledge

Governance frameworks

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Professional designation (FCA/FCCA/FCPA/CIA)

Job description

Brightwater Executive is partnering exclusively with a global insurance leader seeking an enterprise-level Group Audit Director to provide independent assurance over critical finance risks, internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), and financial reporting processes along with wider enterprise-wide risks.

This is a unique time to join at a group level and be part of a transformative internal audit leadership team.

The organisation has experienced significant growth through M&A and operates within a highly regulated, multi-entity environment. This role will ensure a robust emphasis on governance, risk management and control effectiveness and offers a key leadership position within a highly complex, multiple product and regional portfolio, across Europe, the UK, USA, APAC regions

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the planning, execution, completion and reporting of internal audit engagements across the Group:

• Own the ICFR Program: Drive the global framework encompassing risk assessment, scoping, testing strategy, quality assurance, training, execution oversight, and stakeholder reporting.
• Prepare and present audit materials to Group and any subsidiary Audit Committees and Boards.
• Set Coverage Strategy: Establish the risk-based audit coverage strategy for Finance-related risks and processes, prioritizing focus areas across relevant entities and regions.
• Lead Complex Audits: Direct finance, operational, governance, and pre-implementation audits from planning through to reporting, while challenging control designs and effectiveness.
• Collaborate & Influence: Engage directly with executive leadership, legal entity Audit Committees, and external auditors to drive reliance strategies, reduce duplication, and support aligned assurance.
• Deliver Strategic Insights: Present audit observations, ICFR results, emerging risk themes, and actionable recommendations to senior management forums and committees.
• Lead and deliver on wider enterprise-wide risk-based internal audits, that are aligned to the group’s strategy and risk profile.
• Coach & Mentorahigh-performing audit team (located across 5 regions) and support technical skills development and career progression.
• Support the Group Chief Auditor on annual audit planning, methodology enhancements, quality initiatives, and strategic priorities.

The Ideal Candidate profile:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in enterprise-wide Internal Audit within a similar complex group function or Big 4 / Top 6 Audit Practice - currently operating at Senior Director / Partner Level, with sound SOX / ICFR risk management skills.
• Deep background in general insurance and / or life assurance. Other adjacent regulated financial services aligned with SoX controls and US GAAP / IFRS reporting standards may also be considered.
• Deep ICFR technical skills, covering financial reporting processes, governance frameworks, risk-based auditing principles, and IIA standards.
• Auditing Techniques: Ability to apply audit analytics and technology-enabled auditing techniques to improve risk assessment and insight generation.
• Qualifications: 3rd level degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, paired with a recognised designation (FCA, FCCA, FCPA, and / or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credential is a plus.
• Strong business acumen, executive presence, and the ability to build credibility, challenge assumptions constructively, and lead through influence across a multinational/matrixed environment.
• Change & Transformation: Experience supporting transformation initiatives, process improvement programs, or significant system implementations is an asset.

Estelle Davis at Brightwater Executive has been engaged exclusively on this key Group Internal Audit Director appointment.