Senior Manager / Associate Director Internal Audit (Healthcare)

Innovative; Chennai; On-site; INR 3,200,000 - 4,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative in Chennai invites a Senior Manager / Associate Director Internal Audit to lead risk-based internal audit and risk advisory engagements within the healthcare sector. You will evaluate governance frameworks, strengthen internal controls, and deliver actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate has CA qualification, 8+ years PQE, strong client management, and team leadership with deep healthcare regulatory understanding.

Qualifications

• CA qualification is mandatory.
• 8+ years post-qualification experience in Internal Audit, Risk Advisory, Internal Controls, or GRC.
• Experience managing end-to-end internal audit engagements.
• Exposure to healthcare, hospitals, life sciences, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of risk assessment methodologies, internal control frameworks, and professional auditing standards.
• Proven experience in client management, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end, risk-based internal audit engagements across healthcare organizations.
• Develop risk-based annual audit plans aligned with enterprise risk assessments and business priorities.
• Evaluate governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Review financial, operational, clinical, and compliance processes to identify control gaps and risks.
• Present audit findings and recommendations to senior management and Audit Committees.

Skills

Internal audit

Risk advisory

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

CA qualification

Tools

Data analytics

Audit software

Healthcare IT systems

Job description

Job Description: Senior Manager / Associate Director Internal Audit (Healthcare)

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Qualification: Chartered Accountant (CA) Mandatory
Experience: 8+ years of post-qualification experience (PQE)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Manager / Associate Director Internal Audit to lead risk-based internal audit and risk advisory engagements for clients in the healthcare sector.

The role will involve evaluating governance frameworks, strengthening internal controls, assessing regulatory compliance, identifying operational and financial risks, and providing actionable recommendations to senior leadership. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in internal audit, proven client and stakeholder management capabilities, team leadership experience, and a sound understanding of healthcare industry processes and regulatory requirements.

1. Internal Audit & Risk Advisory

• Lead and manage end-to-end, risk-based internal audit engagements across healthcare organizations.
• Develop risk-based annual audit plans aligned with enterprise risk assessments and business priorities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Review financial, operational, clinical, and compliance processes to identify control gaps, process inefficiencies, and emerging risks.
• Assess compliance with applicable healthcare regulations, statutory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards.
• Drive the implementation of audit recommendations through follow-up reviews and closure monitoring.
• Prepare comprehensive audit reports highlighting key findings, root causes, risk implications, and practical recommendations.

2. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for client leadership and key stakeholders.
• Present audit findings, risk insights, and strategic recommendations to senior management and Audit Committees.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while ensuring quality, timely delivery, and high client satisfaction.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and facilitate discussions on critical audit observations and remediation plans.
• Support business development initiatives, including proposals, presentations, and client pitches.

3. Team Leadership & Engagement Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop audit teams to deliver high-quality engagements.
• Review audit plans, workpapers, reports, and deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and consistency.
• Manage engagement timelines, resource allocation, team utilization, and performance.
• Build team capabilities through coaching, knowledge sharing, and technical guidance.
• Ensure adherence to professional auditing standards, internal methodologies, and quality assurance requirements.

4. Process Improvement & Transformation

• Identify opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.
• Recommend enhancements to internal controls, governance practices, and enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Leverage data analytics, automation, and technology-enabled auditing techniques to improve audit coverage and effectiveness.
• Provide actionable insights to support informed decision-making and sustainable business improvements.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is mandatory.
• Minimum 8 years of post-qualification experience in Internal Audit, Risk Advisory, Internal Controls, or Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC).
• Demonstrated experience in managing end-to-end internal audit engagements.
• Exposure to healthcare, hospitals, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, or related industries.
• Strong understanding of risk assessment methodologies, internal control frameworks, and professional auditing standards.
• Proven experience in client management, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
• Excellent communication, presentation, analytical, and report-writing skills.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with Big Four accounting firms or leading consulting organizations.
• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Experience presenting audit findings and recommendations to C-suite executives and Audit Committees.
• Knowledge of data analytics, audit automation, and technology-enabled audit tools.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate audit findings into practical business recommendations.

Key Competencies

• Internal Audit & Risk Assessment
• Healthcare Industry Knowledge
• Leadership & Team Management
• Stakeholder & Client Relationship Management
• Governance, Risk & Compliance
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
• Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
• Communication & Executive Reporting

Ideal Candidate Profile:

A qualified Chartered Accountant with strong internal audit and risk advisory experience, healthcare sector exposure, proven leadership capabilities, and the ability to engage effectively with senior client stakeholders while driving meaningful improvements in governance, risk management, and internal controls.