Head of Audit, Transformation

Join to apply for the Head of Audit, Transformation (Singapore, Hong Kong) role at Standard Chartered Singapore. This role could be based in Singapore or Hong Kong. When you start the application process you will be presented with a country dropdown menu; please select the country where the role is based.

Job Summary

This role could be based in Singapore and Hong Kong. When you start the application process you will be presented with a drop down menu showing all countries; please ensure that you select a country where the role is based.

We are seeking a talented and passionate senior individual to join the Group Internal Audit (GIA) team and be accountable for the design and execution of strategy for the audit coverage of Transformation across the Bank. You will lead, coach and develop your team and those internal auditors adjacent to your team, and you will collaborate with your internal GIA leadership partners to build an integrated coverage model. The aim is to provide timely coverage of thematic risks and Transformation programmes while managing audit risk thoughtfully. You will work closely with the businesses and functions to challenge effectively and build a robust change control framework that supports the Bank in achieving strategic ambitions and regulatory obligations. To succeed, you will create trust with your team, GIA partners and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Own and deliver the strategy for risk assessment, coverage design and execution of third line assurance over the Transformation portfolio.
• Design audits to address key risks and regulatory requirements/expectations.
• Assess the continued relevance of the audit plan throughout the year and propose appropriate changes.
• Ensure that audit teams operate in line with the Audit Charter and remain independent from management.

Business

• Act as the deputy for the Global Head of Audit Transformation.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the relevant programmes and portfolio leadership.
• Represent GIA at relevant programme steering committees and portfolio quarterly performance reviews.
• Serve as the GIA portfolio subject matter expert—proactively engage with peers and stakeholders to maintain, build and share knowledge.
• Proactively seek an external lens to support delivery of meaningful audit work.
• Successfully manage external stakeholders such as regulators and reviewers.
• Identify and implement opportunities for improved productivity in own audits.

Processes

• Act as Team Manager, oversee the delivery of high-quality audits with minimal disruption to the business. If serving as Team Manager, responsible for finalising audit issues and the audit report.
• Execute audit work and issue validation efficiently and within budget and timelines.
• Provide clear guidance, detailed review and supervision of the audit team's work to ensure quality.
• Clearly identify risks and impact of issues during issue writing; obtain quality management action plans to mitigate risks by agreement with management.
• Provide guidance on business/audit technical knowledge and management skills.
• Provide technical input and challenge on audit work within the product area of responsibility.
• Support adherence to the GIA methodology in all areas of the audit engagement, and raise awareness of the methodology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Transformation, the business areas and audit processes.
• Monitor the implementation/delivery of agreed issues/audit plans; advise on resolution and escalate unresolved issues.
• Support the production of regular updates on Transformation to Audit and Risk committees.

People & Talent

• Champion and act as a role model of the Group's values and culture.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and the ability to motivate and guide your audit team.
• Share knowledge to increase specialism within the function.
• Identify growth areas and how best to develop them.
• Provide constant performance feedback.
• Facilitate development of audit team members through on-the-job training and formal training to support GIA activities.
• Proactively employ and retain talent for GIA.
• Create a motivational and challenging environment for staff with customer centricity in mind.

Risk Management

• Lead continuous monitoring of portfolio areas and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Update audit entities regularly to identify changes in risk profiles.
• Propose changes to the audit plan.
• Promote early identification and escalation of risks, issues, trends and developments to relevant stakeholders.
• Be prepared to raise issues outside the normal audit process.
• Adopt an anticipatory approach to risk assessment through stakeholder engagement and external environment monitoring to improve audit planning.
• Review MI and reports regularly to stay updated with key trends in the business and audit deliverables.

Governance

• Attend and represent GIA at formal committees and Group meetings, providing meaningful challenge and data-driven insights.
• Manage stakeholders and establish good working relationships to help the businesses improve the control environment.
• Lead by example in communicating audit-related matters and resolving conflicts during audits.
• Use networks and relationships to build engagement and achieve results.
• Escalate delays in audit execution to business and GIA management.
• Explain issues, risks and root causes clearly to GIA and business management.
• Use language that is understood by non-experts.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group's Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across Standard Chartered Bank, understanding and complying with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines and the Group Code of Conduct.
• Identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters effectively and collaboratively.
• Lead Transformation work to align with the Bank's Conduct Principles: Fair Outcomes for Clients; Effective Financial Markets; Financial Crime Compliance; The Right Environment.
• Deliver on our third line responsibilities, in line with regulator expectations (FCA & PRA).

Key Stakeholders

• Designated business stakeholders including programme sponsors, transformation portfolio leaders, and the Group Transformation Office.
• GIA stakeholders – team managers, team leaders, team members, and heads of audit.

Other Responsibilities

• GIA represents the Third Line of Defence and provides independent assurance of the effectiveness of management's control of business activities. GIA is independent and does not place unqualified reliance on other control functions.
• As defined in the Audit Charter, all staff in GIA must maintain objectivity and provide balanced assessments.
• GIA adheres to the IIA's core standards and Code of Ethics.
• GIA staff strive to be role models for the Group's values and behaviours.
• GIA methodology includes Habits of a Human Auditor aligned to the Group's values and communicated across the function.

Our Ideal Candidate

• 12+ years of experience in Financial Services, with 8+ years in Internal Audit.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Accountancy or a relevant field.
• CPA or equivalent audit qualification.
• Experience delivering complex programmes/projects.
• Strong understanding of Transformation, portfolio and programme management risks.
• Growth mindset with appetite to learn quickly.
• Ability to prioritise issues in a large, fast-changing environment while maintaining quality delivery.
• Results-driven with ownership and flexibility to get the job done.
• Strong influencing and communication skills; ability to convey technical information simply.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems and make balanced judgments.
• Confidence to raise/escalate issues proactively and professionally.
• Commitment to the Group's core values.

Role-Specific Technical Competencies

• Business/Audit Risk Assessment
• Audit Execution & Delivery
• Data Analytics
• Verbal and Written Communication
• Direct & Virtual Team Leadership
• Project & Change Management

About Standard Chartered

We are an international bank, nimble yet capable of making a meaningful impact. For more than 170 years, we have worked to improve the lives of clients and communities. If you are looking for a purposeful career and want to work for a bank that makes a difference, we want to hear from you. We value diverse talents and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can realize their potential.

Together We

• Do the right thing, are assertive, challenge one another, and act with integrity, keeping the client at the heart of what we do.
• Never settle, continuously improve and innovate while keeping things simple and learning from all experiences.
• Are better together—inclusive, open to others, and collaborative for long-term success.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary and benefits in line with our Fair Pay Charter to support your wellbeing.

• Core retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible benefits in some locations.
• Annual leave, parental/maternity leave (20 weeks), sabbatical (up to 12 months), volunteering leave (3 days), and minimum 30 days total annual leave and public holidays.
• Flexible working options based on location and role.
• Wellbeing support through digital platforms, resilience courses, global Employee Assistance Programme, and health resources.
• Opportunities for reskilling and upskilling through continuous learning.
• Inclusive, values-driven culture that embraces diversity and enables everyone to reach their potential.

Recruitment Assessments

Some roles include assessments to help assess fit for the role. If invited to take an assessment, this indicates progression to an important stage of the recruitment process.

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