Senior Ai & Innovation Project Leader (Hybrid)

Sgs; Lisboa; Hybrid; EUR 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

16+ weeks maternity/paternity leave

Training platform for all employees

Free well-being sessions

Job summary

Syensqo in Lisbon, Portugal is seeking an experienced Senior Internal Auditor to lead audit planning, supervise teams, and drive risk-based assurance across the organization.

You will apply IIA standards, use data analytics, engage stakeholders, mentor staff, and stay current with regulatory developments. Hybrid work and travel up to 20% are offered.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of proven experience in internal or external auditing, preferably within an industrial company.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks, risk management, and governance principles.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to assess complex situations and provide strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) are an asset.
• Fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Audit planning and leadership with deputy head, defining scope, timelines, and resources.
• Supervise audit teams with direction, guidance, and coaching.
• Identify key business risks and ensure proper audit scoping.
• Oversee execution of audits per IIA standards and internal methodologies.
• Review workpapers, test results, and reports for accuracy and consistency.
• Apply data analytics and digital audit tools to enhance efficiency and risk detection.
• Monitor audit progress and meet deadlines.
• Lead audits from planning to reporting under supervision when needed.
• Prepare and present comprehensive audit reports to management.
• Engage as trusted partner across departments and geographies.
• Communicate key findings, trends, and insights to senior management.
• Follow up on Management Action Plans and closure timelines.
• Contribute to evolution of audit methodologies and tools.
• Mentor and develop internal audit staff.
• Stay current with regulatory developments and Global Internal Audit Standards.

Skills

Audit leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

CIA certification

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Audit Planning & Leadership: Together with the Deputy Head of Internal Audit, lead the audit planning (including timeline and deadline definition), scope and resource allocation for audit engagements, ensuring alignment with objectives.
• Supervise audit teams, providing direction, technical guidance, and coaching throughout the engagement.
• Identify key business risks and ensure appropriate audit scoping for the audits under its direct management.
• Audit Execution & Quality Management: Oversee and ensure the execution of audits in accordance with IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and internal methodologies.
• Review workpapers, test results, and reports to guarantee consistency, accuracy, and professional standards.
• Apply data analytics and digital audit tools to enhance audit efficiency and insight generation and risk detection whenever possible.
• Monitor Internal Audit progress, resolve bottlenecks, and ensure deadlines are met.
• For certain audits, may also lead the engagement from planning to execution and reporting under the leadership of the Deputy Head of Internal Audit.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting: Prepare, review and present comprehensive audit reports that clearly communicate findings, risks, with appropriate management action plans.
• Serve as a trusted business partner and advisor to management, fostering strong relationships across departments and geographies.
• Communicate key audit findings, trends, and insights to senior management.
• Perform or oversee the Management Action Plan implementation follow‑up, ensure timeline closure of internal audit actions.
• Continuous Improvement & Team Development: Contribute to the evolution of audit methodologies, templates, and digital tools.
• Mentor, coach, and develop internal audit staff, promoting a culture of learning and excellence.
• Stay current with regulatory developments, risk trends, and the Global Internal Audit Standards.

You will bring

• At least 8 years of proven experience in internal or external auditing, preferably within an industrial company.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks, risk management, and governance principles.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to assess complex situations and provide strategic recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) are an asset.
• Fluency in English.

You will get

• The Portuguese annual base salary reasonably expected to be paid for this new hire is 48,400 to 60,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualification and internal equity and can ultimately be more or less than the posted salary range.
• Benefits package
• 16, or more, weeks of maternity/paternity and co‑parenting leave, according to local regulations.
• Training platform for all employees.
• Free well‑being sessions (physical and psychological).

Additional information

• Location: Portugal, Lisbon.
• Hybrid working model.
• Travelling up to 20%.

About us

Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.

At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Equal Opportunity Statement

All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.