Job Title: Chief Internal Auditor

Industry: Insurance | Financial Services

Reports To: Board Audit Committee / Executive Management

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Work Structure: Full-Time | Onsite

Remuneration: Competitive

Client Overview
Our client is a leading Nigerian insurance group offering a broad range of life, general, and specialist insurance solutions to individuals and businesses. The organization operates within a highly regulated financial services environment and is committed to sound governance, effective risk management, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

Role Summary
Our client is seeking a highly experienced and independent Chief Internal Auditor to provide strategic leadership for the internal audit function and strengthen the organization's governance, risk management, and internal control framework.
The successful candidate will provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of business processes, financial controls, risk management practices, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. The role will work closely with the Board Audit Committee, Executive Management, Risk, Compliance, Finance, Actuarial, Investment, and business leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Audit Leadership

• Develop and execute the organization's risk-based internal audit strategy and annual audit plan.
• Lead audits across financial, operational, commercial, technology, and support functions.
• Ensure audit assignments are conducted objectively, independently, and in accordance with professional standards.

Risk & Internal Controls

• Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management frameworks, and governance processes.
• Identify control weaknesses, operational risks, financial exposures, and compliance gaps.
• Recommend practical corrective actions and monitor implementation of agreed audit findings.

Audit Reporting & Assurance

• Review and approve audit reports, findings, recommendations, and management responses.
• Provide independent assurance to the Board and senior management on key business risks and control effectiveness.
• Track outstanding audit issues and ensure timely remediation.

Regulatory & Compliance Assurance

• Assess compliance with applicable insurance regulations, internal policies, financial reporting requirements, and governance standards.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies and external auditors where required.
• Support investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, control breaches, or financial irregularities.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement

• Present significant audit findings, emerging risks, and control matters to the Board Audit Committee and Executive Management.
• Maintain strong working relationships with Risk, Compliance, Finance, External Audit, Actuarial, Investment, and other business functions.
• Provide advisory insight on major business initiatives, systems, processes, and emerging risks without compromising audit independence.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the internal audit team.
• Establish clear performance standards and promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the team maintains appropriate technical knowledge and professional certifications.

Requirements

EducationBachelor's Degree in:

• Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration Or a related discipline.
• A professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent is required. A Master's degree or additional risk, audit, or governance qualification is an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk, assurance, financial control, or related functions.
• Significant experience in insurance, banking, financial services, or another regulated industry.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide internal audit functions and managing senior audit professionals.
• Strong exposure to risk-based auditing, internal controls, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and financial audits.
• Experience engaging with Board-level stakeholders, Audit Committees, regulators, and external auditors.

Technical Competencies

• Internal Audit Managemen
• Risk-Based Auditing
• Internal Controls
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Corporate Governance
• Financial & Operational Audit
• Regulatory Compliance
• Fraud Risk & Investigation
• Audit Planning & Reporting
• Control Testing
• Audit Analytics
• Regulatory & Statutory Requirements
• Audit Management Systems
• Microsoft Office / Advanced Excel

Core Competencies

• Independence & Objectivity
• Strategic Thinking
• Risk Awareness
• Analytical Thinking
• Leadership & People Management
• Professional Judgment
• Attention to Detail
• Integrity & Confidentiality
• Stakeholder Management
• Communication & Presentation
• Problem Solving
• Accountability
• Results Orientation