Chief Audit Executive

SUMMARY:
We are calling for Chief Audit Executives in JHB!

POSITION INFO:
A long-established, JSE-listed financial services group is seeking a Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to lead and evolve its Group Internal Audit function at enterprise level. This organisation operates at scale within the South African insurance market, serving hundreds of thousands of policyholders through innovative, accessible financial protection solutions. With a reputation built on trust, strong governance, and customer-centric design, the business continues to grow in both complexity and regulatory accountability.
This is not a maintenance role - it’s a strategic leadership mandate. The CAE will shape how assurance drives decision-making, strengthens governance, and protects the organisation in an increasingly regulated and technology-driven insurance landscape. The successful candidate will operate at Board and Executive level, influencing risk posture, control maturity, and combined assurance across the group.
For information on the role, reach out to:

Duties:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide independent assurance over governance, risk management, and internal control effectiveness aligned to business strategy
• Maintain functional independence through direct engagement with the Audit Committee
• Contribute to strategic discussions by highlighting emerging risks, regulatory shifts, and insurance industry trends
• Strengthen governance practices across the organisation
• Build and lead a high-performing internal audit function

• Develop and deliver a risk-based annual audit plan aligned to enterprise risks and regulatory expectations
• Evaluate risk exposure across underwriting, claims, actuarial models, investments, IT systems, cybersecurity, policy administration, and financial reporting

• Oversee delivery of high-quality internal audits in line with Global Internal Audit Standards
• Present clear, concise, and actionable reports to Executive Management and the Board
• Conduct follow-up reviews to ensure effective remediation of findings

• Establish and refine audit methodologies, systems, and documentation standards
• Allocate resources to ensure coverage of high-risk areas
• Lead recruitment, development, and performance management of the internal audit team

• Advise senior leadership on control improvement, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency
• Influence decision-making through evidence-based insights
• Partner with risk, compliance, actuarial, finance, and IT functions while preserving independence
• Manage and enhance co-sourcing arrangements with specialist service providers

• Monitor adherence to insurance-specific legislation and regulatory frameworks
• Stay current with evolving regulatory requirements and global best practice
• Ensure internal audit coverage reflects industry-specific risk and compliance obligations

• Lead coordination across internal audit, risk management, compliance, legal, actuarial, and external audit
• Reduce duplication, close assurance gaps, and improve overall assurance efficiency
• Promote integrated assurance practices that strengthen governance and oversight
• Participate in internal controls committees, providing subject matter expertise

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Auditing, Risk, Finance, or related field
• Professional certification such as CIA, CA(SA), CISA, CFE, or equivalent

• Postgraduate qualification in Risk, Governance, Auditing, or Business
• Additional certifications in Insurance, Data Analytics, or IT Audit

• Minimum 10 years internal audit experience
• At least 5 years in a senior audit leadership role
• Strong exposure to insurance or financial services environments highly advantageous
• Experience engaging with Boards and Audit Committees

• Global Internal Audit Standards expertise
• Governance, risk, and internal control frameworks
• Insurance operations knowledge (underwriting, claims, actuarial, reinsurance
• Financial reporting in a regulated financial services environment
• Regulatory and compliance knowledge
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
• Data analytics and technology auditing
• Cybersecurity and IT General Controls (ITGCs)
• Combined assurance frameworks

• Strategic thinking and enterprise leadership
• Strong analytical and critical thinking ability
• High integrity, independence, and professional objectivity
• Executive-level communication skills
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Strong people leadership and team development capability