Head of Group Audit

dsm-firmenich; Maastricht; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

dsm-firmenich is seeking a Head of Group Audit to lead Group Internal Audit across entities and functions, delivering risk-based assurance over financial, operational, and transformation risks. You will guide governance, risk management, and internal controls, acting as a catalyst for continuous improvement across the organization.

Reporting to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair, you will manage a global team, coordinate with ERM, Compliance, and Information/Cyber Security, and oversee external

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• 20+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or assurance within a complex multinational.
• Proven track record leading teams and delivering risk-based assurance and advisory services at executive and board level.
• Deep expertise in governance, risk, and compliance with exposure to digital transformation, data analytics, cyber risk, and ESG assurance.
• Ability to align audit priorities with organizational strategy and anticipate emerging risks.
• Proven capability to inspire, coach, and develop a globally distributed team.
• Exceptional skill in engaging senior executives and boards with clarity, independence, and impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a quarterly, risk-based audit plan approved by the Audit & Risk Committee.
• Provide assurance reports with rated findings, root cause analysis, and actionable remediation.
• Offer advisory on strategic initiatives and major programs; perform pre-implementation reviews to de-risk delivery.
• Maintain an issue tracking and escalation protocol.
• Coordinate with ERM, Compliance, Information/Cyber Security, and Financial Control for a unified risk assurance map.
• Deliver quarterly Audit Committee packs with plan progress, findings, and risk trends.
• Engage external auditors for annual reporting coordination.
• Maintain QAIP with external quality assessments at least every five years.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Influence

Strategic Thinking

Communication

People Development

Risk Management

Governance & Compliance

Education

Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Admin

Job description

As Head of Group Audit, reporting directly to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair, you will provide independent, risk-based assurance and advisory services that protect and enhance organizational value. You will lead Group Internal Audit across all entities and functions, delivering insight into governance, risk management, and internal controls—spanning financial, operational, compliance, technology, cyber, ESG, and transformation risks. Beyond assurance, you will act as a catalyst for continuous improvement enabling the organization to achieve its objectives with confidence.

Your key responsibilities:

• Assurance Delivery: Develop and execute a quarterly, risk-based audit plan approved by the Audit & Risk Committee. Provide assurance reports with rated findings, root cause analysis, and actionable remediation. Perform thematic/governance audits on emerging risks (e.g., AI controls, data privacy, cyber resilience, third-party risk, BCM).
• Advisory & Value Enablement: Provide targeted advisory on strategic initiatives, major programs, and control design without assuming management responsibility. Offer pre-implementation reviews on key programs to de-risk delivery.
• Issue Management & Follow-up: Maintain an issue tracking and escalation protocol.
• Coordination & Combined Assurance: Align with ERM, Compliance, Information/Cyber Security, Financial Control to create a unified risk assurance map and minimize duplication.
• Reporting: Deliver quarterly Audit Committee packs: plan progress, key findings, thematic insights, risk trends, and resourcing updates.
• Regulatory & External Liaison: Engage external auditors to coordinate on annual reporting.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement: Maintain a QAIP with external quality assessments at least every five years and close internal quality actions.

We offer:

• Strategic Impact – A leadership role with direct influence on organizational resilience, value creation, and long-term success.
• Leadership & Growth – The opportunity to lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing audit team while shaping the future of the Internal Audit function.
• Catalyst for Change – A platform to influence better decision-making and strengthen governance in a dynamic environment.
• Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership.
• A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
• A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.

You bring:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 20+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or assurance within a complex, multinational organization.
• Proven track record of leading teams and delivering risk-based assurance and advisory services at executive and board level.
• Deep expertise in governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, with exposure to digital transformation, data analytics, cyber risk, and ESG assurance.
• Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen - Ability to align audit priorities with organizational strategy and anticipate emerging risks.
• Leadership & People Development - Proven capability to inspire, coach, and develop a high-performing, globally distributed team.
• Stakeholder Influence & Communication - Exceptional skill in engaging senior executives and boards with clarity, independence, and impact.
• Risk Management Expertise - Deep understanding of enterprise risk frameworks, regulatory requirements, and assurance methodologies.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, you’ll join a global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life. The impact of your work will be felt by millions every day, with opportunities to keep learning, grow across businesses, teams, and borders, and contribute your voice and ideas.