Our client is a large, complex and highly regulated Australian organisation operating in an environment of significant public interest and accountability.

With a diverse workforce, sophisticated operations and substantial infrastructure, the organisation maintains a robust focus on governance, risk management, compliance, ethics and assurance.

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Internal Audit to lead the organisation's Internal Audit function and provide independent, objective assurance across its governance and control environment. This role will initially be on a 12-month contract.

The role

Reporting to the CRO, the Head of Internal Audit will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Internal Audit function.

Operating as the organisation's third line of defence , you will lead the development and delivery of a risk-based internal audit program and provide independent assurance over the effectiveness of governance, risk management, compliance and internal control frameworks.

This is a highly visible leadership role working closely with the Executive, senior management and the Risk & Audit Committee. You will provide authoritative advice, challenge existing practices where appropriate and ensure Internal Audit delivers meaningful insights that support stronger organisational performance and risk management.

Key responsibilities

- Lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of the Internal Audit function.
- Develop and deliver the organisation's risk-based Internal Audit Strategy and Annual Audit Plan .
- Ensure Internal Audit activities align with organisational objectives, legislative and regulatory requirements, relevant government policy and professional standards.
- Lead high-quality, risk-focused assurance reviews across complex operational and corporate environments.
- Provide clear, practical and commercially focused recommendations to strengthen governance, risk management and internal controls.
- Develop and continuously improve the organisation's Internal Audit framework, policies, methodologies and procedures.




- Prepare high-quality reports and presentations for the Risk & Audit Committee, Executive and senior leadership .
- Monitor management's implementation of agreed audit actions and provide advice regarding issue management and risk acceptance.
- Lead the internal audit risk assessment and annual planning process.
- Maintain an effective Quality Assurance and Improvement Program aligned with Institute of Internal Auditors professional standards.
- Develop strong relationships with senior executives and business leaders while maintaining the independence and objectivity of the Internal Audit function.
- Coordinate with external audit and other assurance providers to improve overall assurance coverage and minimise duplication.
- Support the organisation's broader fraud control, ethics, governance and compliance frameworks .
- Undertake or oversee preliminary enquiries and investigations relating to suspected fraud or misconduct where required.
- Lead, coach and develop Internal Audit team members and external service providers.

About you You will be an experienced Internal Audit professional with the credibility and judgement to operate effectively with executives, senior stakeholders and governance committees within a complex organisation.

You will bring a strong understanding of contemporary internal audit practices, enterprise risk management, governance and internal control environments, combined with the ability to translate complex assurance findings into clear, practical recommendations.

You will ideally demonstrate

- Significant experience leading or operating within a complex Internal Audit or Assurance function .
- Robust experience developing and delivering risk-based internal audit plans .




- Demonstrated experience presenting to Audit & Risk Committees, Boards or Executive leadership teams .
- Strong knowledge of the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and contemporary internal audit practice.
- Extensive understanding of governance, enterprise risk management, compliance and internal control frameworks.
- Experience operating in a highly regulated, government, public sector or similarly complex environment .
- Strong report-writing skills and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly and concisely.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and constructively challenge management.
- Experience managing internal and/or co-sourced audit teams and external assurance providers.
- Strong judgement, independence and professional integrity.
- Exposure to fraud control, ethics, investigations or misconduct matters would be advantageous.

Success in the position will require the ability to:

- Maintain the independence of Internal Audit while developing highly effective relationships across the organisation.
- Influence senior stakeholders to implement meaningful improvements arising from audit findings.
- Communicate complex or sensitive findings clearly and constructively.
- Maintain a contemporary understanding of professional Internal Audit standards, regulatory requirements and better-practice governance.
- Deliver the annual Internal Audit Plan while responding to emerging organisational risks.
- Maintain an Internal Audit function capable of meeting external quality assurance expectations.

Why apply? This is an opportunity to lead a highly visible Internal Audit function within a large, sophisticated and purpose-led organisation .

The position offers significant exposure to senior executives and governance committees and the opportunity to influence the organisation's approach to risk, governance, compliance, ethics and assurance .

For an experienced audit leader, the role provides the scope to move beyond traditional compliance-focused auditing and deliver a genuinely strategic, risk-based assurance function.

📌 Head of Internal Audit (Sydney)
🏢 Hays
📍 Sydney