Vice President, Internal Audit

ICON Clinical Research Ltd; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing programmes

Retirement and pension plans

Life assurance and disability coverage

Learning and development opportunities

Employee assistance programmes

Job summary

ICON Clinical Research Ltd. is seeking a Vice President, Internal Audit to lead and mature its global internal audit function within a highly regulated, SOX‑compliant environment.

The role partners with the CFO, Audit Committee, and senior leadership to ensure robust governance and independent assurance over financial, operational, and regulatory controls. The candidate will drive the development of risk-based audit plans, enhance control frameworks, and oversee testing activities, while

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CPA) and CIA or equivalent.
• Proven Head of Internal Audit experience in a large, multinational, publicly listed company.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and SOX compliance and internal control frameworks.
• Experience in a regulated environment with governance and executive engagement.
• Leadership experience in scaling and maturing an internal audit function.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the global internal audit function and audit program.
• Develop risk-based internal audit plans aligned with priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Drive evolution and scaling of the internal audit function to support growth.
• Ensure independent assurance over financial reporting, controls, and compliance.
• Coordinate with CFO, Audit Committee and senior leaders on reporting and governance.
• Embed data analytics, automation, and best practices in audit methodologies.

Skills

Internal Audit Leadership

US GAAP

SOX Compliance

Stakeholder Engagement

Data Analytics

Education

ACA/ACCA/CPA

CIA

Job description

Vice President, Internal Audit - Dublin - Hybrid

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster. As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers. The Vice President, Internal Audit is a senior finance leadership role responsible for overseeing ICON's global internal audit function, ensuring robust governance, risk management, and internal control processes. This role partners closely with Executive Leadership and the Audit Committee to provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of financial, operational, and compliance controls. The Vice President will play a critical role in ensuring alignment with regulatory and corporate standards while supporting the continued scaling and maturity of the internal audit function. In addition, this individual will be responsible for the delivery of Internal Control and Risk Management frameworks, including procedures, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring the integrity of all financial and operational metrics and full compliance with regulatory requirements. The role operates within a highly regulated and SOX-compliant environment, requiring strong governance, independence, and analytical rigor.

What You Will Be Doing

Internal Audit Leadership

• Lead and oversee the global internal audit function, including a global team, ensuring delivery of a high-quality, value-driven audit program.
• Develop and execute a risk-based internal audit plan aligned with enterprise priorities and regulatory expectations.
• Drive the continued evolution and scaling of the internal audit function to support organisational growth and complexity.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.

Audit, Risk & Assurance

• Provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of financial reporting and US GAAP compliance, SOX compliance and internal control environments, operational effectiveness and efficiency, and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Ensure audit findings are clear, actionable, and aligned with strategic and operational priorities.
• Maintain high standards of audit quality, independence, and professional judgment.

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of Internal Control and Risk Management frameworks across the organisation.
• Ensure robust policies, procedures, control design, and monitoring mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee SOX 404 compliance, including coordination of control assessments and testing activities (controls testing experience preferred).
• Ensure integrity, accuracy, and reliability of financial and operational metrics through strong control environments.
• Maintain an appropriate controls environment within your function.

Governance & Audit Committee Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Audit Committee, delivering clear, concise, and insightful reporting on audit outcomes, risks, and control effectiveness.
• Partner closely with the CFO, senior leadership, and functional stakeholders across Finance, Legal, IT, Risk, and Compliance.
• Support strong governance and transparency through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Drive modernization of audit methodologies, including adoption of data analytics, automation, and best practices.
• Continuously assess and enhance audit processes to align with a dynamic, global PLC environment.
• Ensure alignment with evolving regulatory expectations and corporate governance requirements.

Your Profile

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent) and Qualified Internal Auditor (CIA or equivalent).
• Proven experience at Head of Internal Audit level or above, with demonstrated success in leading and scaling an internal audit function with a large scale, publicly listed multinational organisation.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, SOX compliance, and internal control frameworks.
• Prior experience within a Big 4 firm with relevant leadership exposure will also be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a highly regulated, fast-paced, and matrixed global environment.
• Strong executive presence with experience engaging with Audit Committees and senior leadership teams.
• Excellent analytical, risk assessment, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence and challenge constructively at senior levels while maintaining independence.
• Strategic, disciplined, and commercially aware, with strong operational understanding.
• High levels of integrity, professional judgment, and commitment to governance and transparency.
• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on building and developing high-performing teams.

Able to work from the Dublin office 3 days a week. Bachelor's degree required; Masters degree preferred #LI-LE1 #LI-Hybrid. Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.

• Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
• Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
• Retirement and pension plans
• Life assurance and disability coverage
• Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
• Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location. Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request here.