Assurance - External Audit Director (Banking) - Riyadh, KSA

PwC Middle East; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm in Saudi Arabia is seeking an experienced Audit Director to manage audit assignments for a prestigious client portfolio. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of external financial audit experience, preferably in banking, with strong project management skills. Proficiency in both Arabic and English is a plus. This role offers competitive compensation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Continuous learning opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of professional experience in external financial audit.
• Experience auditing banking clients required.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and ISAs.

Responsibilities

• Manage audit assignments for an iconic client portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with risk and quality standards.
• Drive cross-selling opportunities in Assurance services.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual proficiency (Arabic and English)

Innovative thinking

Education

Degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Professional qualification (ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA)

Tools

Data Analytics tools

Audit technologies

Job description

Established in the region for 40 years, PwC has around 12,000 people in 12 countries across the region: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Our regional team operates across the Middle East bringing international experience delivered within the context of the region and its culture. We can bring the collective knowledge and experience of more than 370,000 people across the entire global PwC network in advisory, assurance and tax to help you find the value you are looking for.

About Us

With offices in 152 countries and nearly 328,000 professionals, we are one of the world’s leading professional services networks, helping organisations and individuals create lasting value through Assurance, Tax and Advisory services. For over 40 years, we have contributed to the Middle East’s transformation journey, partnering with governments and businesses to deliver sustainable solutions. Today, more than 12,000 of us across Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are shaping the region’s future.

Line of Service Overview

Our Middle East Assurance practice includes over 2,300 people based in 12 countries across the region and is part of PwC’s global network that is operating worldwide. PwC Middle East’s Assurance practice combines the right mix of human-led and tech powered solutions to provide our clients with quality audits and other risk services that create confidence and impact in our region and across society.

Business Unit Overview

Core Assurance is a cornerstone of our Assurance practice, focused on delivering high-quality audits that build trust and drive sustained outcomes.

Our teams apply deep technical expertise and leverage advanced digital tools to provide independent assurance over financial reporting. Through a human-led, tech-powered approach, we help clients meet regulatory requirements, enhance transparency, and strengthen stakeholder confidence, creating impact across industries and society.

How You’ll Contribute

As an Audit Director, you will be in charge of an iconic client portfolio and you will be responsible for managing the full cycle of your audit assignments. You’ll work as part of a team of problem solvers, helping to solve complex business issues from strategy to execution. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• You will be responsible for the overall delivery of the audit engagement that you will be leading.
• Driving and taking ownership for developing connections that help deliver what is best for our people and stakeholders.
• Managing client relations with senior management, including delivering presentations/pitches to the board of directors, audit committees, and prospective clients.
• You will oversee the completion of engagements, provide support and training on technical issues/ methodologies, fee negotiation, and adhere to budget and engagement deadlines.
• Identifying market gaps and spot opportunities in Assurance, as well as cross-selling opportunities for the other LOS's, in order to create value propositions that meet the needs of the clients.
• Ensuring you are adhering to compliance with the risk, quality and independence matters.
• Arranging and sponsoring appropriate assignments and experiences to help people realise their potential and support their long-term aspirations.
• Looking for opportunities to scale efficiencies and new ways of working across multiple projects and environments.
• Assisting the partners in managing the economics of their portfolio by monitoring budget, following up on billing, collection, and profitability.
• Taking part of the recruitment process for interviewing and selecting the most competent candidates as per PwC hiring standards.
• Embracing our Middle East people initiatives (such as flexibility framework and employee well-being, and many others) in addition to assisting the partners in executing our action plans against the periodic people feedback surveys.
• Creating an environment where people and technology thrive together to accomplish more than they could apart.
• Taking part in people development by delivering certain training sessions to the team based on the L&D curriculum.
• Being responsible for the coaching, mentoring and development of team members reporting to you.
• Promoting and encouraging others to value difference when working in diverse teams.

What You’ll Bring

You are ambitious and get use of opportunities to grow and develop. In addition, you recognise yourself in the following characteristics:

• A degree in accounting, finance or other related academic major.
• Minimum of 10+ years of professional experience in external financial audit in one of the big 4.
• Completed a recognised professional qualifications such as ACCA, CA, ACA, CPA.
• Experience in auditing Banking clients is a must.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills that allow you to thrive in a team environment.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English (oral and written) is a plus.
• Applying the international standards on Auditing (ISAs) on the external audit of financial services with profound IFRS knowledge relevant to the FS practice (such as IFRS9, IFRS17) and financial services regulations.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing an audit from planning to completion.
• Confidence in challenging yourself and others to complete high quality testing and documentation.
• Ability to establish and nurture positive relationships across all levels - both internally and externally.
• Driving innovative thinking and supports others through change and uncertainty to overcome hurdles.
• Experience encouraging a team environment that promotes collaboration and constructive challenge and has demonstrated the ability to act quickly to resolve team issues and questions.
• Taking pride in your work and in the Audit profession, showing resilience and demonstrating dedication to self-development including being agile and innovative in the digital world.
• Promoting and encouraging others to value difference when working in diverse teams.
• Knowledge in any Audit technologies, and experience using Data Analytics tools.

How You’ll Make a Difference

At PwCMidde East, we expect all our people to embody the skills and behaviours of The PwC Professional framework, helping us deliver on our strategy while growing and developing as leaders at every level.

Why You’ll Love Working at PwC

At PwC Middle East, you’ll find more than just a job—you’ll build a meaningful career, supported by rewards and benefits that help you thrive. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and programs that promote well-being, balance, and personal growth. You’ll have access to continuous learning, digital upskilling, and a collaborative environment that values innovation, mentorship, and diversity. Are you ready to make a difference? Want to unlock new value by applying your unique perspective and talents? You can grow exponentially here. Discover more about Life at PwC Middle East.

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.