Functional Audit Senior Manager

·        Job Purpose

Functional Audit Sr Manager assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating the comprehensive evaluation of critical functions within DAMMAM AIRPORTS. Tasked with directing a team of adept audit professionals, the Functional Audit Head spearheads meticulous audits spanning finance, human resources, shared services, legal, aeronautical revenue, non-aeronautical revenue, leasing, and corporate affairs, etc.

·       Position Accountability Description

Strategic Leadership

1.        Develop and implement a risk-based audit strategy specifically focused on critical functional areas, ensuring comprehensive audit coverage in high-risk domains such as financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls. This includes creating a dynamic audit plan that addresses complex areas such as financial controls, procurement fraud, IT security, and legal compliance etc.

2.        Lead the functional audit team in performing in-depth audits of the organization’s most critical functions, ensuring that all audits are meticulously planned, technically sound, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations for risk mitigation and performance improvement.

3.        Work closely with the Head of Internal Audit and executive leadership to ensure that the audit strategy is aligned with corporate priorities, providing assurance on key business initiatives and strategic projects such major contracts, etc.

4.        Proactively identify emerging risks across functional areas by leveraging advanced audit techniques such as predictive analytics, continuous auditing, and data-driven risk assessments, ensuring the organization is prepared to navigate complex and evolving risk environments.

5.        Ensure that the functional audit unit operates as a key driver of governance improvement by providing insights that influence long-term strategic decision-making, and by enhancing the organization’s risk management, control, and compliance frameworks.

Operational Excellence

6.        Direct the execution of high-impact, high-complexity audits that address the most significant financial, legal, and regulatory risks across the organization’s functional areas, ensuring the audits are executed with precision and technical depth.

7.        Develop and refine audit methodologies to ensure robust testing of internal controls, with a focus on areas of critical importance such as financial reporting, legal and regulatory compliance, procurement and contracting, and IT systems and cybersecurity, etc.

8.        Lead the adoption of cutting-edge audit technologies, including automated data analytics and continuous control monitoring, to maximize audit coverage, efficiency, and the identification of systemic risks.

9.        Direct the development of detailed, high-quality audit reports that deliver not just findings but actionable solutions, supported by quantitative analysis, benchmarking, and industry best practices, ensuring management has the tools to immediately address identified issues.

10.     Manage the process of Monitoring and Implementation of Audit Recommendations by ensuring rigorous follow-up on prior audit recommendations, facilitating timely and effective corrective actions. This includes tracking progress and providing periodic updates to senior management, thereby ensuring that identified risks are adequately mitigated and internal controls are strengthened.

11.     Work closely with the Operational Audit Head to ensure seamless coordination between operational and functional audit activities, maintaining clear boundaries while ensuring a comprehensive and unified audit approach across the organization.

12.     Lead the investigation of suspected fraudulent or non-compliant activities, maintaining integrity and transparency as directed by the Head of Internal Audit.

Stakeholder Management

13.     Cultivate robust relationships with senior leadership, department heads, and external stakeholders, serving as a trusted advisor on matters pertaining to audit findings, regulatory compliance, and operational efficacy.

14.     Based on direction from the Head of Internal Audit engage in formal discussions with external auditors to ensure that functional audits meet external requirements and standards, while identifying synergies with external audit activities to streamline assurance processes.

15.     Collaborate with relevant key stakeholders to implement audit recommendations, driving operational changes that reduce risk exposure, improve compliance, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization’s key processes.

16.     Build and sustain a culture of transparency and accountability, ensuring that audit recommendations are acted upon in a timely manner and that management is held accountable for implementing meaningful improvements as outlined.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

17.     Ensure that all operational audits are aligned with IPPF Standards issued by the IIA and regulatory requirements.

18.     Conduct internal quality assessments of the functional audit process, ensuring the consistency and thoroughness of audit execution, particularly in areas with significant regulatory oversight.

19.     Ensure the functional audit unit is in compliance with global regulatory frameworks ensuring that audits cover all legal obligations, and that the organization is fully compliant with applicable laws.

20.     Maintain the functional audit unit independence and objectivity, ensuring that no conflicts of interest arise, and that all audit findings are based on thorough, evidence-based analysis, protecting the integrity and credibility of the functional audit unit.

Team Leadership and Development

21.     Lead a professional audit team, ensuring that the team possesses the technical skills and certifications (e.g., CIA, CISA, CFE) required to execute complex audits in specialized areas.

22.     Develop and implement a comprehensive talent development strategy, ensuring that auditors are continuously trained in advanced auditing methodologies.

23.     Foster a high-performance culture, where auditors are encouraged to challenge conventional thinking, embrace innovative audit techniques, and contribute to the continuous improvement of audit processes and methodologies.

Financial Management

24.     Under the instruction of the Head of Internal Audit, participate in the preparation of the functional audit unit’s budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently based on a risk-based prioritization of audits in areas such as Finance, HR, IT, etc.

25.     Monitor resource allocation, ensuring that audits in high-risk operational areas, such as Finance, HC, IT, etc., are sufficiently resourced to ensure thorough audit execution.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

26.     Lead the integration of advanced technologies into the functional audit process, including the use of data analytics to enhance the depth and efficiency of functional audits.

27.     Continuously review and improve audit methodologies, ensuring they reflect the latest trends and best practices in Finance & Accounting Standards, IT, HR regulations.

28.     Ensure that the functional audit unit remains agile and adaptive, responding to changes in operational risk profiles, safety regulations, and industry standards, and adjusting audit approaches accordingly.

* Core Competency

1.        Focusing on Customers  

2.        Collaboration & Teamwork

3.        Accountability & Proactivity

4.        Delivering Results

* Leadership Competency         

1.        Leading with Impact

2.        Developing People

3.        Driving & Leading Change

4.        Forming & Sustaining Partnerships

5.        Creativity & Innovation