Director of Internal Audit

Confidential; Dhahran Compound; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Saudi Arabia seeks an experienced Director of Internal Audit to lead the internal audit function, ensuring effective governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and robust internal controls across the organization.

The role requires extensive banking/financial services experience, leadership in audit, and strong SAMA regulatory knowledge, with direct experience in Saudi banks or finance companies. IPO readiness and CMA familiarity are advantageous.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in banking or financial services.
• 8+ years in internal audit and 5+ years in leadership.
• Direct experience within Saudi banks or finance companies is essential.
• Strong knowledge of SAMA regulations and governance frameworks.
• Certifications: CIA, CPA, SOCPA, ACCA, or CISA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the internal audit strategy, risk-based planning, execution, and reporting.
• Oversee financial, credit, operational, regulatory, IT, and cybersecurity audits.
• Evaluate internal controls across the financing cycle and IFRS 9/ECL.
• Strengthen governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Report to the Audit Committee and manage regulatory examinations.
• Develop the internal audit team and ensure independence and quality.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Director of Internal Audit to lead the internal audit function of a leading financial services organization in Saudi Arabia, ensuring effective governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the internal audit strategy, risk-based audit planning, execution, and reporting in accordance with international auditing standards.
• Oversee financial, credit, operational, regulatory, IT, and cybersecurity audits.
• Evaluate internal controls across the full financing cycle, including credit origination, collections, provisions, IFRS 9, and Expected Credit Losses (ECL).
• Strengthen corporate governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Report to the Audit Committee, manage regulatory examinations, and oversee remediation of audit findings.
• Lead and develop the internal audit team, ensuring independence, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of experience in banking or financial services, including 8+ years in internal audit and 5+ years in leadership.
• Direct experience within Saudi banks or finance companies is essential.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) regulations, governance frameworks, and internal auditing standards.
• Proven experience in Audit Committee reporting, financial and credit audits, and regulatory engagement.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, or a related discipline.
• CIA, CPA, SOCPA, ACCA, or CISA certification required (CIA preferred).
• Experience in IPO readiness, listed-company governance, and CMA requirements is an advantage.
• Eligibility to obtain SAMA no-objection for appointment.

#Hiring #InternalAudit #DirectorOfInternalAudit #Banking #FinancialServices #SAMA #SaudiArabia #ExecutiveSearch