Head of Internal Audit

International Airport of Heraklion, Crete S.A. is currently looking for a:

Head of Internal Audit

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains the Internal Audit Charter and safeguards the function’s independence and objectivity.
• Maintains direct communication with the Chair and members of the Audit & Risk Management Committee.
• Develops the audit universe, multi-year strategy and annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan.
• Aligns audit priorities with material risks, strategic objectives, the Concession Agreement, major projects and operational-readiness requirements.
• Plans and leads financial, operational, technology, cybersecurity, procurement, project, compliance and governance audits.
• Evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls.
• Assesses the reliability and integrity of financial and non-financial information.
• Manages Internal Audit resources, external specialists and the approved budget.
• Reviews compliance with legislation, internal regulations, policies, delegated authorities and contractual obligations.
• Prepares balanced and evidence-based reports identifying findings, risk implications, root causes and practical corrective actions.
• Tracks agreed actions and escalates significant delays, weaknesses, scope restrictions and management acceptance of material risks.
• Reports regularly to the Audit & Risk Management Committee and the Board of Directors.
• Maintains an Internal Audit methodology, secures working-paper standards and a Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme.
• Coordinates with external auditors and other assurance functions without compromising Internal Audit’s independence.
• Provides independent advice on governance, risk and controls without assuming management or operational responsibility.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Information Systems or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in Audit, Finance, Risk Management, Corporate Governance or Business Administration would be considered an asset.
• A recognised professional qualification such as CIA, ACA, ACCA, CPA or CISA is strongly preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant internal or external audit, assurance, risk or internal-control experience.
• At least 3 years in an audit-management or audit-leadership position.
• Experience in aviation, infrastructure, concessions, construction, transport or another regulated and operationally complex environment is highly desirable.
• Experience auditing major projects, procurement, technology systems, financial reporting or operational-readiness activities would be an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of internal auditing, internal controls, risk management, compliance and corporate governance.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Greek and English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, audit-management, data-analysis and reporting tools.

Competencies

• High standards of independence, integrity, objectivity, professional skepticism and confidentiality.
• Strong analytical, interviewing, investigation, data-analysis and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Excellent audit-report writing and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate difficult findings constructively, respectfully and objectively.
• Strong leadership, planning, stakeholder-management and resource-management capabilities.