Head, Internal Audit

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About the Role

To lead the Internal Audit function for Singapore and Brunei, providing independent and objective assurance to the Audit Committee and senior management on the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal controls.

The role is accountable for setting and delivering a risk-based Internal Audit strategy and plan, providing independent risk insights, maintaining effective regulatory and stakeholder relationships, and ensuring that the function has the independence, capability and quality necessary to fulfil its mandate.

Job Description

• Audit strategy and planning: Lead the development and ongoing assessment of the risk-based Internal Audit strategy and annual audit plan for Singapore and Brunei, taking into account business strategy, the company's risk profile, emerging risks, regulatory developments and expectations of the Audit Committee.

• Audit execution and quality: Oversee execution of the Internal Audit plan, ensuring engagements are appropriately planned, scoped, resourced, supervised and delivered in accordance with the GIA Charter, GIA Manual and applicable professional standards.

• Audit conclusions, reporting and management actions: Ensure audit conclusions and ratings are supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence, significant matters are escalated promptly, and reports communicate clear, balanced and actionable insights. Assess whether management actions adequately address the risks identified and oversee GIA's independent validation of issue closure.

• Business knowledge and risk monitoring: Maintain a strong understanding of AIA's business, strategy, technology environment and evolving risk profile and recommend audit plan updates as required.

• Risk insight and reporting: Provide the Audit Committee, Group Head of Internal Audit and senior management with an independent and holistic view of the adequacy and effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal controls, including significant and emerging risks and thematic issues identified through GIA activities.

• Audit Committee reporting: Report regularly to the Audit Committee on delivery of the audit plan, significant audit findings, overdue management actions, thematic issues, changes in the risk environment and other matters relevant to the Audit Committee's oversight responsibilities.

• Regulatory engagement: Maintain an effective relationship with MAS and other relevant regulators on Internal Audit matters, including responding to regulatory enquiries and requests relating to GIA.

• Leadership and people development: Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary Internal Audit team, including business audit, technology audit and data analytics capabilities, with clear focus on talent development, succession planning, quality, and collaboration.

• Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain trusted and effective relationships with the Audit Committee, senior management, and other key stakeholders, while safeguarding GIA's organisational independence and objectivity. Exercise independent professional judgement and provide constructive challenge where appropriate.

• Audit innovation, analytics and automation: Champion the effective use of data analytics, automation, continuous auditing and emerging audit techniques to enhance audit quality, effectiveness and efficiency.

• Strategic contribution and collaboration: Contribute to GIA strategic and Group-wide initiatives and collaborate with peer audit leaders and specialist teams on thematic and other assurance activities as required.

Job Requirements

• Education and professional qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional qualification in accounting, finance, business or a related discipline. CIA, CA, CPA, ACCA or other relevant professional certifications are highly desirable.

• Experience: At least 15 years experience in internal audit, risk, assurance and/or professional services within complex organisations, preferably including substantial experience in insurance or financial services and in a senior leadership capacity.

• Insurance, risk and regulatory knowledge: Strong understanding of the insurance industry, governance, risk management and internal controls, together with sound knowledge of the Singapore financial services regulatory environment and relevant regulatory expectations.

• Communication and stakeholder management: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong boardroom presence, sound judgement and discretion, with the ability to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders and present audit matters effectively to the Audit Committee, senior management and regulators.

• Leadership: Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to set clear expectations, coach and develop talent, drive accountability, and build an effective and high-performing audit team.

• Judgement and problem solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, risk-based decisions in complex situations