DESCRIPTION

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Head of Internal Audit Professional Practices & Operations
London

WHO WE ARE

SiriusPoint is a global insurance and reinsurance company created from the merger of Third Point Re and Sirius International Insurance Group. We are a top global (re)insurer writing a worldwide portfolio of businesses including Accident & Health, Liability, Property and Specialty.
Bermuda-headquartered and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SPNT), we are looking at ways to grow intelligently, underwrite profitably, and drive technology innovation in the insurance industry.
We challenge convention, disrupt the traditional way of doing things, and devise new and better solutions. We strive to be excellent in everything we do, and we always strive to continuously build knowledge and learn beyond our current skillsets.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.

• Certification: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) strongly preferred. Additional certifications such as CPA, CISA, or CRMA are advantageous. Commitment to ongoing professional education in internal auditing is expected.

• Experience: Significant experience in internal audit. A minimum of 5-8+ years of internal auditing experience is required, with at least several years in professional practices and several years of managerial experience. Prior experience in a large or regulated organization (e.g., financial services, public company) is a plus.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Technical Auditing Knowledge: Deep understanding of Global Internal Audit Standards, quality assurance, audit process and methodologies and best practices. Familiarity with risk assessment techniques, internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO), and regulatory compliance requirements relevant to the insurance industry is a plus.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex processes and data. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills to address audit issues and improve processes.

• Leadership & People Management: Proven ability to lead and develop a high-performing team of audit professionals. Capable of setting clear objectives, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Experience in managing cross-functional or cross-geography teams is beneficial.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal. Able to develop and produce clear, impactful audit reports for varying audiences such as internal use, senior management and the audit committee. Strong interpersonal skills to influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Project and Project Portfolio Management: Excellent organizational skills to help the team oversee completion of multiple audits and other projects simultaneously. Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Integrity and Professionalism: High ethical standards with a strong sense of integrity and objectivity. Courage to independently challenge issues and escalate concerns in a professional manner when necessary. Committed to upholding confidentiality and building trust with stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: A forward-looking perspective to anticipate risks and emerging trends. Ability to align internal audit practices with the organization’s strategic goals and contribute to broader risk management and governance discussions.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficiency in using audit management software and data analytics tools for planning, testing, and reporting. Comfort with MS Office suite and visualization tools for reporting. Openness to adopting new technologies (e.g., automated auditing techniques) to enhance audit effectiveness.

• Audit Methodology & Policy Management: Establish, maintain, and update Internal Audit policies, procedures, and methodology documents. Ensure the audit methodology stays current with Global Internal Audit Standards and relevant regulations. Maintain audit templates, work programs, and guidance to incorporate best practices and new techniques.
• Quality Assurance Oversight: Lead the execution of the Internal Audit Quality Assurance and Improvement Program. Perform periodic quality assurance reviews of audit engagements (work papers, reports, etc.) to verify adherence with the Global Internal Audit Standards and any applicable regulatory requirements. Identify areas to improve audit quality and oversee and monitor the implementation of corrective actions. Coordinate external quality assessments.
• Audit Plan Coordination: Coordinate the annual risk assessment and audit planning process. Work with internal audit and risk leadership to evaluate the organization’s risk universe and prioritize audit engagements based on risk and strategic objectives. Continuously monitor emerging risks and recommend adjustments to the audit plan as needed.
• Operational Support: Help the Head of Internal Audit oversee the day-to-day operations of the internal audit function, by producing reporting that helps monitor engagement and plan progress, key milestones, budget and key performance indicators. Assist with resource allocation and scheduling audit assignments. Facilitate team meetings and our departmental project plan and calendar. Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting and budget to actual reporting and analysis.
• Issue Management & Follow-Up: Coordinate the issue management process, including tracking audit findings and management action plans and facilitating reporting thereon. Monitor status of validation testing of remediated issues to confirm that management’s corrective actions have been effectively implemented.
• Continuous Monitoring Program: Facilitate the internal audit department’s continuous monitoring efforts by identifying key risk indicators and regular audit metrics to review. Prepare periodic (e.g., quarterly) reports summarizing insights from continuous monitoring activities to inform audit planning and risk assessment.
• Internal Audit Reporting: Help design and oversee the preparation of reports on internal audit activities, audit findings, and recommendations for various audiences such as the internal audit team, Head of Internal Audit, executive management and the Audit Committee. Ensure that reporting highlights trends regarding significant control issues, audit coverage of key risks, and enables an overall conclusion on the effectiveness of internal controls, risk and governance.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as a key liaison with external auditors and regulatory examiners, responding to information requests in a timely manner. Help ensure Internal Audit is coordinated with external auditors, sharing audit plans and results, reducing duplication of effort and strengthening reliance on Internal Audit’s work. Support any regulatory inquiries or examinations by providing documentation requested by examiners. Coordinate pre-approval of non-audit services performed by the external audit firm as appropriate.
• Learning & Development: Oversee learning and professional development programs for internal audit staff, including maintenance of a skills and competency database and development plans for each team member. Organize training on audit standards, emerging risk topics, industry topics, and the use of audit tools and technology. Serve as a mentor to audit team members on methodology and provide guidance to ensure auditors continuously enhance their skills and knowledge. Maintain the onboarding program for new hires.
• Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Work with the team to identify and implement opportunities to improve audit processes, tools, and techniques. Help the Head of Internal Audit drive strategic initiatives and innovation projects aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Internal Audit (e.g., implementing data analytics, agile auditing approaches). Maintain a network of peers and coordinate benchmarking exercises as appropriate.
• Technology Support: Serve as administrator for audit systems and ensure systems are configured properly to support Internal Audit activities and reporting. Ensure technology roadmap aligns with internal audit strategic plan. Manage department Teams and Sharepoint sites.
• Strategic Support: Partner with the Head of Internal Audit in developing and executing the internal audit strategic plan. Provide insights and recommendations for elevating the audit function’s value, such as expanding assurance coverage or enhancing audit reporting. Contribute to defining Internal Audit’s mandate, mission, vision and annual objectives.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders across the organization as a trusted advisor on governance, risk, and control. Collaborate with other risk and compliance functions to ensure coordinated assurance efforts. Champion a culture of integrity, objectivity, and excellence within the internal audit team.
• Third Parties: Oversee the engagements with third parties and the contracting process and ensure services provided meet expectations and quality requirements.
• Ethics & Compliance: Ensure the team is meeting ethics, compliance and conflict of interest requirements