Head of Internal Audit

Durban, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorHybridPosted 6 Oct 2026

Job Overview

A leading and well-established South African short-term insurance group with a rich history, a strong transformation mandate and a people-focused culture is seeking an experienced Head of Internal Audit (Control Function) to join its senior leadership team in Durban.

This high-impact control-function leadership role has direct exposure to the Audit & Risk Committee and Exco, with the autonomy to shape the internal audit strategy, lead a team and strengthen the organisation's governance and assurance framework. You will deliver independent, risk-based assurance over governance, risk management, internal controls and regulatory and prudential compliance.

Permanent Durban role with a hybrid arrangement (one day working from home per week) and periodic travel to Johannesburg given the group's national footprint — best suited to a KZN-based CA(SA)/CIA with 8–10 years in internal audit and/or risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Board-approved risk-based internal audit strategy and plan

• Align audit coverage with the ERM framework, risk appetite and material risk exposures

• Provide independent assurance over governance, risk management and internal controls

• Provide regulatory and prudential compliance assurance

• Escalate material governance or control failures to the relevant governance structures

• Ensure high-quality audit reporting with clear findings and actionable recommendations; monitor remediation

• Work closely with Risk Management and Compliance to support a combined assurance model

• Engage the Audit & Risk Committee and Exco and lead the internal audit team

Required Qualifications

• Matric; BCom Accounting; BCom Honours / CTA

• CA(SA) / CIA

• 8–10 years' experience within Internal Audit and/or Risk Management

• Proven experience within the insurance or financial services sector

• Strong understanding of regulatory and prudential environments

• Experience operating at a senior level and engaging with executive and governance structures

• KZN-based and comfortable with periodic travel to Johannesburg

Skills & Requirements

Internal Audit LeadershipRisk-Based AuditingEnterprise Risk Management (ERM)Governance & Internal ControlsPrudential & Regulatory ComplianceCombined AssuranceAudit Committee EngagementInsurance Sector KnowledgeAudit ReportingExecutive Stakeholder ManagementTeam LeadershipCA(SA) / CIA