Group Operation & Projects Audit Director

Partnering with a leading UAE-based organisation to appoint a Group Operations & Projects Audit Director. This senior role will lead audits across operations, construction projects, contracts and commercial activities, while partnering with the C-suite to strengthen governance, risk management and internal controls. The ideal candidate will bring an engineering background, strong project audit experience and proven leadership within a complex construction environment.

Group Operations & Projects Audit Director

We are partnering with a leading UAE-based, project-led organisation to appoint a Group Operations & Projects Audit Director. Reporting into the senior internal audit leadership team, this individual will take ownership of the planning, execution and delivery of audits across the Group’s operations, construction projects, contracts, procurement and commercial activities. The role will also lead a team covering both projects and operational audit, alongside external service providers.

The successful candidate will lead end-to-end, risk-based audit engagements, from scoping and fieldwork through to reporting, remediation and follow-up. Key areas of review will include project execution, cost controls, contract administration, variation orders, claims management, procurement, subcontracting and commercial management. They will identify and assess risks such as cost overruns, claims leakage, contractual non-compliance, control weaknesses and operational inefficiencies.

This is a highly visible leadership position working closely with the C-suite, Audit and Compliance Committee, Managing Directors and senior functional leaders. The Director will be expected to provide independent assurance and practical advisory support, communicate significant risk exposures, influence senior stakeholders and deliver clear, commercially focused recommendations that strengthen governance, risk management and internal controls.

The role will also be responsible for developing the audit team, improving audit methodologies and data-driven capabilities, supporting board-level reporting and overseeing the Group’s Speak-Up Policy.

The ideal candidate will be a native Arabic speaker currently based in the UAE, with an engineering or project-related degree, PMP certification and significant experience auditing major construction, engineering or project-based operations. They should bring at least 10 years of progressive experience, strong knowledge of contractual frameworks and claims, and a recognised audit or accounting qualification such as CIA, CPA, ACA, CISA or CFE.

Package: AED 50,000–55,000 per month.