Chief Internal Auditor (CIA), Ireland and Germany

Role Overview

The primary role of Internal Audit is to assist the Board in discharging its governance responsibilities in monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of systems of internal control, by providing independent reliable assurance that the organisation’s governance, risk management and control processes are adequate, effective and sustainable.  In addition, Internal Audit contributes to the continuous improvement of the governance, risk management and control processes, so that they operate at optimum effectiveness and efficiency, reflecting best practice where appropriate.  The secondary objective is to work in partnership with CEOs and business executives, developing strong and mutually beneficial relationships, to support and influence continuous improvement in the governance, risk management and control processes and practices through the sharing of best practices.

Working as part of a dynamic Global Internal Audit team , the CIA has responsibility for the provision of Internal Audit services to several Lifeco Irish and German based entities.  The position reports to the Irish Life Group Board Audit & Canada Life Ireland Holding Company Committee Chairs and the Global Chief Audit Executive, Great West Lifeco for assurance purposes and for onward reporting to the Lifeco Board Audit Committee. The CIA also reports to the Irish Life CEO for administrative purposes.
 

The successful candidate will lead a team of approximately 20 professionally qualified audit staff  including an executive support & reporting specialist. They will be the Director of Internal Audit for the following regulated entities within the Irish Life Group (Group): Irish Life Group (ILG), Canada Life Ireland Holding (CLIHC), Irish Life Assurance (ILA), Cornmarket (CM), Canada Life Europe (CLE), Irish Life Group Services (ILGS) and Canada Life Group Services (CLGS).

This is one of the most senior Internal Audit leadership roles in the Irish financial services market. The successful candidate will influence governance across Ireland and Germany, work directly with subsidiary Boards and the Global Chief Audit Executive, shape global audit methodology, and help define the future of assurance within a leading international financial services group

What you will help us to achieve

•    Ensure the function drives a best practice approach and has a strong customer focus.
•    Work to support stakeholders’ understanding of issues relating to the governance and risk management framework and ensure Internal Audit leverages the work being led by 2nd Line Risk and Compliance, while still providing the level of independent assurance expected by the Board.
•    Maintain a comprehensive, reliable risk profile across delegated areas that will be derived from high executive visibility/connectivity and a fundamental understanding of the underlying risks.
•    Have the ability to create a flexible plan from a “blank sheet of paper” based on collaboration with executives, management, Internal Audit colleagues, written documentation from Management and most importantly, from their knowledge and experience.
•    Deliver high impact written reports and presentations on pertinent governance, risk management and control issues to the Board Audit Committee, Board Risk & Compliance Committee, senior executives, regulators and other key stakeholders.
•    Instil a professional approach to the manner and methodology through which the Audit staff deliver their work.
•    Enhance the function’s performance while improving personal performance and career development to provide a professional and reliable audit opinion with the aim of continuous development of the control environment 

What you will need to be successful in the role

•  Extensive experience in reporting to a subsidiary Board Audit/Risk Committee, managing relationships with and gaining the confidence of relevant Committees.
•  Clear evidence of participation in strategic and commercial discussions and consideration of their risk impact on the organisation.
•  Excellent technical skills, including superb knowledge of risk management frameworks and control processes, end to end processes, governance, data protection, resilience and operations. 
•  Up to date knowledge of regulatory developments and possess excellent depth of knowledge in all relevant regulation.
•  A broad risk and business understanding ideally across all dimensions of the Group’s business and the external environment coupled with the ability to exercise considerable personal judgment in the interests of the Board and stakeholders.
•  Proven track record of managing audit processes that are robust, sized appropriately and insightful.
•  Demonstrable experience of audit/risk assurance outcomes that are impactful and thoughtful, with appropriate recommendations that are independent and insightful.
•  Extensive experience liaising with Irish, UK or equivalent regulators, including proven relationship management with regulatory bodies.
•  Demonstrable experience of managing and maximising relationships with external auditors (typically one of the Big 4).
•  Clear success at building effective and diverse teams, attracting and retaining skilled talented individuals, as well as taking an active role in developing and mentoring at all levels.
•  A relevant professional qualification (e.g. CMIIA, ACA, ACCA, CISA, CGEIT, FSAI) or equivalent experience in audit, accounting or risk management. 
•  Is committed to continuing professional and personal development.
•  Maintains a high personal profile in the internal audit and risk management external community, essential to adding value to the profession and to raising the profile of the Group as a promulgator of best governance practice and an employer of choice.
•  Experience working as part of a global team with a global financial services organization

Personal Qualities

•    An articulate and highly presentable individual with strong leadership qualities and the ability to set a vision for Internal Audit. Experience of providing clear direction, as well as leading and motivating a team.
•    Strategic dexterity: the ability to build business intelligence with an analytical and flexible thinking style. An excellent problem solver.
•    Genuine business orientation with the stature to act as an effective champion for Internal Audit and to influence and command the respect of the Board, ExCo, business leaders, Risk, Compliance and other functional colleagues. A strong organisational and cultural insight, with strategic influencing skills. Able to build confidence as an individual and in Internal Audit through actions.
•    Personal confidence with humility. Gravitas and outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, applicable at all levels across the organisation. Adept at building an internal, as well as external network. Proven experience of delivering though people by collaborating and leveraging relationships and building capability.
•    High personal resilience; a self-starter with energy and burning drive for results. A high degree of self-motivation is a given.
•    Financially strong, analytical and a business enabler with the ability to innovate and think outside the box. It is critical that the successful candidate can see through to the heart of issues.
•    A structured and flexible approach, independently minded, tough yet balanced decision maker with sound judgment, calm under pressure, and the ability to prioritise and delegate.

A Great Place to Work

We offer a modern, collaborative workplace in our Dublin headquarters, thoughtfully designed to enable our leaders to perform at their best. The environment combines exceptional meeting and collaboration spaces, dedicated areas for focused work, vibrant social hubs, an on-site gym, and extensive wellbeing facilities, with wellbeing being at the heart of the campus. All of this is located in a central setting with excellent access to public transport and local amenities.

We have a highly competitive reward package, annual bonus opportunity, enhanced pension contributions, generous annual leave, health insurance support and a car allowance.
We are committed to flexible, hybrid working and to fostering an inclusive environment where employees can thrive, continue to develop their careers and make a meaningful, visible impact across the organisation. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of the business while working alongside talented colleagues in a culture built on collaboration, innovation and excellence

Leadership Capabilities

Execute for Results
Lead The Organisation Forward
Outward Focus
Drive Innovation
Develop Talent
Build Collaborative Partnerships
Commercial Awareness
Risk and Control