Head of Internal Audit

Head of Internal Audit

• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Industry: Logistics / Supply Chain / Distribution
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Search conducted by: UltimatePeaks Elite Executive Search
• About the Opportunity

A leading and rapidly expanding logistics and supply chain organization in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Head of Internal Audit to establish and lead its internal audit function.

The company operates a large operational footprint across warehousing, transportation, and delivery services, supporting both enterprise and e-commerce logistics. As the organization continues to scale, the leadership team is strengthening governance, risk management, and internal control systems.

This role offers a rare opportunity to build and lead a modern internal audit function while partnering closely with senior leadership on operational risk, governance, and performance improvement.

Role Overview

The Head of Internal Audit will be responsible for developing and executing a risk-based internal audit program covering operational, financial, and compliance risks across the organization.

The role will provide independent assurance to executive leadership and governance bodies while supporting operational excellence across logistics operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the annual risk-based internal audit plan.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, governance structures, and risk management frameworks.
• Conduct operational audits across logistics operations including warehousing, transportation, procurement, inventory, and revenue assurance.
• Identify control weaknesses and recommend practical improvements to strengthen operational efficiency.
• Lead fraud risk assessments and investigations where necessary.
• Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership and governance committees.
• Monitor remediation actions and ensure closure of audit findings.
• Build and lead a high-performing internal audit team aligned with international auditing standards.
• Introduce data-driven auditing and continuous monitoring capabilities.

Compensation

A competitive executive compensation package will be offered in line with market benchmarks for Head/Director-level internal audit roles in Saudi Arabia.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will bring strong internal audit leadership experience combined with operational exposure in complex business environments.

Preferred profile includes:

• 12–18+ years experience in internal audit, risk, or governance.
• Professional certification (CIA, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Experience leading or building an internal audit function.
• Background in operationally intensive industries such as logistics, supply chain, distribution, manufacturing, or large service networks.
• Strong familiarity with COSO internal control framework and enterprise risk management.
• Experience presenting audit findings to executive leadership or board-level committees.
• High level of integrity, analytical thinking, and stakeholder management capability.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Establish a modern internal audit function in a growing organization
• Work closely with senior leadership on strategic risk and governance matters
• Drive improvements in operational efficiency and control environments
• Influence governance practices within a large operational business