Internal Audit Leader

Inter IKEA System Services AB; Älmhult; Hybrid; SEK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Inter IKEA System Services AB is seeking a hands-on internal audit leader to supervise end-to-end audits across a culturally diverse, international setting. You will assess governance, risk management and controls, partner with business teams, and drive improvements in audit methodologies and team capabilities.

The role requires a university degree (postgraduate preferred), strong audit expertise, and the ability to communicate effectively in English with senior management and Boards.

Qualifications

• Hands-on internal audit professional with strong audit expertise.
• Ability to apply professional scepticism and challenge traditional approaches.
• Strong governance, risk management, and control understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal audit engagements end-to-end in an international environment.
• Shape and improve Internal Audit methodologies and ways of working.
• Partner with business teams to provide fact-based insights and recommendations.

Skills

Internal audit leadership

Audit expertise

Communication skills

Business acumen

Critical thinking

Education

University degree

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

You see things a little differently. So do we. Leadership at IKEA is simple, clear and humble. We’re not fans of bureaucracy and complicated hierarchy. Together we create a workplace where everyone feels free to be themselves, to experiment, try new ways, and dare to ask, "What if…?" At IKEA we have a vibrant culture where ideas are heard, where there is opportunity to learn new skills and where the goal always is "To create a better everyday life for the many people". Come see things a little differently with us.

About the job

As a Leader in Group Internal Audit, you play a crucial role by leading internal audit engagements across Inter IKEA Group. You will assess the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control from a group-wide, end-to-end perspective, addressing the needs of individual core businesses, functions and Inter IKEA Group Management and Boards. In your role, you will partner with various business teams, providing fact-based insights, constructive challenge and clear recommendations to find and realise better ways forward. In addition to leading audits, you will help shape and continuously improve Internal Audit ways of working, methodologies and team capabilities.

About you

You are a hands‑on internal audit professional with strong audit expertise (financial, operational, IT or data‑driven). You apply professional scepticism to turn complex issues into clear, pragmatic insights. You work comfortably within audit standards, but also enjoy challenging traditional approaches and applying new methods.

You combine strong business acumen with a deep understanding of the IKEA value chain, Inter IKEA end‑to‑end processes, and the governance and steering framework that guides the organisation. You place audit work in the context of the broader business agenda and ensure outcomes are relevant and impactful.

You are humble, straightforward and curious, driven by content while valuing strong relationships. Your excellent communication skills enable you to articulate audit findings clearly and simply, both in writing and verbally. You engage confidently with senior management and Boards in a respectful and credible way.

You love to learn and develop together. As a team player, you enjoy discovering new ways to enhance your own skills and knowledge, as well as those of others around you. You like to share your knowledge and learnings and by doing so, actively support and coach fellow internal auditors and guest auditors.

You like to get to the bottom of things. As a critical thinker, you don’t mind asking probing questions if it helps to achieve the right outcome. You do not overlook the essential aspects of auditing, yet you adopt a pragmatic and effective approach.

You are a down‑to‑earth leader who takes strong ownership for audit outcomes, audit quality and impact, acts with integrity and sound professional judgement. You confidently manage multiple assignments in an international environment with occasional travel.

To be successful in this role, the following knowledge, skills and experiences would be valuable:

• Proven experience leading internal audit assignments end-to-end in a complex, culturally diverse, and international environment.
• At least 8 years of proven internal audit track record with a demonstrated ability to apply deep expertise in at least one audit domain (financial, operational, IT, data analytics or behavioural auditing).
• A university degree, and preferably a postgraduate qualification in areas related to the position.
• Strong understanding of governance structures, end‑to‑end business processes, risks and controls, ideally within IKEA or a comparable organisation.
• Proficiency in English, with the ability to communicate effectively with non-native speakers.
• Ability to quickly absorb new information, break it down, organise it, and present it in a clear and engaging way, without losing the bigger picture.
• Strong communication skills, able to present clear, pragmatic messages using IKEA tone of voice.

Ability to act consistently with a high level of integrity and be an example of professional behaviour.

Additional information

There are 2 full‑time positions (40 hours per week) based in Sweden, with Malmö as your home base and work activities mostly taking place in Älmhult. You will work closely with Internal Audit colleagues across Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands in a Group‑wide context. The role involves occasional travel, typically 10 to 20 percent. As part of Group Internal Audit you will report to the Group Internal Audit Manager located in Inter IKEA Systems BV in Delft.

At IKEA we believe that everyone deserves a seat at the table. You’re welcome no matter where you come from, what you believe, and what you look like. We’re interested in you simply because you’re you. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. We believe that people’s different perspectives, backgrounds, and personalities make us better at understanding our customers' dreams and needs.

If you have a special need that requires accommodation in the recruitment process, just let us know.