Senior Internal Audit Lead

He whakamārama mō te tūranga mahi | About the role 

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Internal Auditor to join our Internal Audit team. Reporting to the Head of Internal Audit, you will provide high-quality internal audit and assurance services across Watercare, helping the organisation strengthen controls, manage risk and make well-informed decisions. You will evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls, support compliance with policies and legislation, and help ensure operational effectiveness and the safeguarding of company assets. 

This is a broad and influential role where you will work closely with senior leaders across the whole business. You will lead audit assignments from planning through to reporting, provide pragmatic recommendations that support better decision-making, help develop the wider team, and contribute to special projects outside the traditional audit programme. 

In this role, you will:                                  

• Plan and coordinate audit assignments to support the delivery of the internal audit plan 

• Deliver financial, operational and compliance audits across the organisation 

• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of business processes, risk management practices and internal controls 

• Assess compliance with company policies, procedures, professional standards and relevant legislation 

• Identify control weaknesses and recommend practical improvements 

• Prepare clear, concise and value-adding audit reports for senior stakeholders 

• Use data analytics and other innovative approaches to identify trends, control issues, potential fraud indicators and emerging organisational risks 

• Work collaboratively with Watercare staff to understand business processes, test controls and agree practical improvement actions 

• Support the documentation and testing of internal controls relating to company compliance activities 

• Contribute your expertise to special projects and non-audit advisory assignments.  

You will be joining a small, trusted team with visibility across one of New Zealand’s most essential infrastructure organisations. This role will suit someone who enjoys variety, values constructive challenge, and wants to use internal audit to make a practical difference to how the business manages risk.  

Ngā pūkenga e rapu nei mātou | About you 

You will be an experienced audit professional who can combine strong technical expertise with sound judgement, curiosity and a practical approach to problem-solving. You will be comfortable engaging with senior leaders, explaining complex issues clearly and constructively challenging the way things are done. 

You will bring: 

• A recognised professional qualification such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor or an equivalent qualification 

• At least six years’ experience in internal audit, ideally within a large, complex public sector or corporate organisation 

• Senior-level internal audit experience 

• A strong understanding of internal audit principles, methodologies and relevant professional standards 

• Experience assessing risk, internal controls and compliance requirements 

• Proven experience developing trusted relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders 

• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving capability 

• Highly developed report-writing, communication and presentation skills 

• The ability to turn complex audit findings into clear, practical recommendations 

• Strong planning and workflow management skills, with the ability to deliver audits within agreed timeframes 

• A proactive and collaborative approach, with the confidence to influence business decisions 

• Experience mentoring or coaching other team members 

• High attention to detail, accuracy and professional integrity.