Head of Internal Audit Department

The position is fully based in Abu Dhabi, UAE and office-based, with no remote or work-from-home arrangement. For candidates joining internationally, global relocation support will be provided to facilitate the move to Abu Dhabi.

About the group

We're a government-backed investment group based in UAE, focused on building and scaling globally competitive infrastructure and industrial businesses. We oversee a portfolio of operating subsidiaries and hold ourselves to the highest standards of governance, accountability and institutional discipline.

The opportunity

You will lead independent assurance across the group as a direct partner to the Board Audit Committee and the Group MD & CEO. Your work will give leadership an objective, evidence-based view of how well we are governed, how effectively we manage risk and how robust our controls are.

What you'll lead

As a direct assurance partner to the Board Audit Committee and the Group MD & CEO, you will:

▪️ Set the enterprise internal audit strategy and annual audit plan

▪️ Provide independent assurance over governance, risk and controls

▪️ Lead IT audit and digital assurance across core systems, cybersecurity and data governance

▪️ Use advanced analytics to identify emerging risks, systemic vulnerabilities and fraud indicators

▪️ Drive disciplined tracking of audit recommendations through to remediation

What we're looking for:

▪️ 12–15 years in internal audit, assurance or risk management within sovereign funds, large investment groups, regulated sectors or financial institutions

▪️ Proven experience operating within ADAA regulatory frameworks, including direct engagement with ADAA

▪️ Bachelor's degree; CIA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent preferred

▪️ A strong record of leading independent audits and engaging Boards, executives and regulators with clarity and authority