The posting
WE ARE HIRING: Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management
Location: Sri Lanka Employment Type: Full Time Industry: Dairy Manufacturing / FMCG / Food Manufacturing
Role Overview
We are seeking a strategic and highly experienced Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management to lead the organization's enterprise-wide audit, governance, compliance, and risk management functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust internal audit and risk management framework that supports business objectives, strengthens governance, ensures regulatory compliance, and enhances operational resilience. This leadership role requires a highly capable professional with strong expertise in enterprise risk management, audit governance, fraud prevention, compliance oversight, internal controls, and executive stakeholder engagement. The position will play a critical role in protecting the organization's assets, reputation, and long-term sustainability while driving a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Risk Strategy & Governance
- Develop and implement a comprehensive enterprise risk management and internal audit strategy aligned with long-term business objectives.
- Provide strategic oversight of enterprise-wide risk exposure and ensure proactive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
- Establish and strengthen governance frameworks that promote accountability and risk ownership across the business.
- Advise the Board and Executive Leadership on emerging risks, strategic threats, regulatory developments, and governance matters.
- Review related-party and third-party transactions to ensure compliance, transparency, and governance best practices.
Risk Identification & Assessment
- Lead enterprise-wide risk identification, evaluation, and assessment activities across all business functions.
- Ensure critical risks are identified, assessed, documented, monitored, and reported according to approved frameworks.
- Develop and oversee implementation of appropriate risk mitigation plans and control strategies.
- Define, monitor, and review the organization's risk appetite and risk tolerance levels.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of risk management initiatives and continuously improve risk oversight capabilities.
Risk Management Policy Development & Implementation
- Develop and maintain risk management policies, frameworks, procedures, and operating guidelines.
- Ensure effective implementation of risk management processes across the organization.
- Monitor adherence to approved policies and recommend improvements where required.
- Integrate Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and resilience management into enterprise risk frameworks.
- Ensure the organization remains prepared for operational, strategic, financial, and regulatory disruptions.
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, corporate governance principles, and industry requirements.
- Coordinate and manage compliance reviews, governance assessments, and certification activities.
- Address identified control weaknesses and compliance gaps through corrective actions.
- Ensure all documentation and records are maintained according to regulatory and governance standards.
- Monitor regulatory compliance through regular reviews and risk-based assessments.
- Support senior management in maintaining strong governance and ethical business practices.
Audit & Internal Controls
- Develop and execute the annual internal audit and compliance audit plan.
- Oversee the timely completion of audits across all operational and support functions.
- Design, implement, and strengthen internal control systems to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Identify control deficiencies and ensure remedial actions are implemented promptly.
- Manage relationships and coordination activities with external auditors and regulatory authorities.
- Optimize audit resources while maintaining high audit quality standards.
Fraud Risk Management & Investigations
- Develop and manage fraud prevention, detection, and response frameworks.
- Strengthen whistleblower mechanisms and fraud awareness programs throughout the organization.
- Lead investigations into suspected fraud, misconduct, control breaches, and ethical violations.
- Recommend corrective actions and preventive controls to reduce future risks.
- Monitor fraud-related incidents and implement strategies to minimize financial and reputational exposure.
Reporting & Strategic Advisory
- Prepare comprehensive risk assessment reports for the Audit Committee, Board, and Executive Management.
- Provide strategic recommendations and actionable insights relating to governance, audit, compliance, and risk management.
- Support leadership decision-making through objective analysis and independent assurance.
- Drive continuous improvement in management control systems and organizational governance.
People Leadership & Culture Development
- Lead, mentor, coach, and develop the Internal Audit and Risk Management teams.
- Build organizational capability through training, coaching, and structured development programs.
- Collaborate with HR to identify and implement training programs relating to risk, compliance, governance, and fraud awareness.
- Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, ethical behavior, and continuous improvement.
- Promote employee engagement through risk awareness workshops, compliance training, and educational initiatives.
- Build a future-ready, high-performing audit and risk management function.
Candidate Profile
- Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Professional certifications in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, or related disciplines are mandatory.
- Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Governance, or Compliance.
- At least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
- Strong understanding of enterprise risk management frameworks and corporate governance principles.
- Extensive experience in internal audits, compliance monitoring, fraud prevention, and risk assessments.
- Sound knowledge of regulatory requirements, financial controls, and governance standards.
- Experience working within FMCG, Manufacturing, Dairy, or Food Processing industries will be an advantage.
- Strong understanding of business continuity planning, internal control systems, and risk mitigation practices.
- Experience using audit tools, ERP systems, and risk management platforms.
- Excellent analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Ability to engage effectively with Boards, Audit Committees, Executive Management, regulators, and auditors.
- High integrity, sound judgement, and strong leadership capabilities.
Ready to take your career to new heights?
We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner in Sri Lanka, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you!
Our client is looking for a skilled individual to fill the role of Head of Internal Audit & Risk Management.
Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!
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