Group Head of Internal Audit

• Rapidly Growing International Consultancy
• Private Equity backed with ambitious growth plans
• Design, build and lead the global function

My client is a rapidly growing, international delivery consultancy that recently secured a significant Investment. This investment marks a major inflection point, positioning my client for aggressive global expansion, and for targeted strategic acquisitions. As they expand their service lines, geographies, and operational capabilities, they are establishing an Internal Audit function to enhance governance, strengthen controls, and support value creation. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape a function from the ground up in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.Role Overview The Head of Internal Audit will design, build, and lead the company's global Internal Audit function. This role is responsible for developing the audit strategy, delivering a risk-based audit plan, and providing independent assurance to the Audit Committee and senior leadership. The ideal candidate brings a blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, and the credibility to influence at the highest levels of a PE-backed organisation.Key Responsibilities

• Build the Internal Audit function, including strategy, methodology, governance, and reporting frameworks.
• Define the audit charter, operating model, and quality standards for a global environment.
• Develop a dynamic, risk-based annual audit plan aligned with business priorities and investor expectations.
• Lead and oversee operational, financial, compliance, and technology audits across all regions.
• Ensure high-quality, timely audit reporting with clear, commercially relevant recommendations and track remediation progress and provide ongoing assurance to the Audit Committee.
• Partner with Finance, Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Technology to strengthen the control environment.
• Provide insight on emerging risks, regulatory developments, and best-practice governance.
• Support the evolution of enterprise risk management and controls testing frameworks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and Board-level committees.
• Build strong relationships across global business units to promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide assurance over M&A activity, integration programs, and rapid-growth initiatives.

Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience leading an Internal Audit function in a global, complex organisation.
• Experience in a private equity backed business.
• Demonstrated ability to build or transform an audit function.
• International experience across multiple jurisdictions.
• Strong understanding of internal controls, risk management, and regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, including Board-level engagement.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., CIA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CISA).

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen.
• High integrity, sound judgement, and a balanced approach to risk.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure from scratch.
• Hands-on, pragmatic, and able to scale processes as the business grows.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to build a global Internal Audit function from inception.
• High visibility with senior leadership and private-equity investors.
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with significant scope for impact.
• Competitive compensation aligned with PE-backed growth expectation
• Hybrid working with central London offices