Director of Internal Audit
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) invites applications and nominations for appointment as Director of Internal Audit.
The University
HKU is consistently ranked amongst the world’s top universities: 17th under QS World University Rankings 2025 and 35th in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. It is a leading university in Asia with over 39,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and more than 13,000 academic, teaching and research, and administrative staff. Home to ten disciplinary Faculties, HKU is committed to fostering interdisciplinary exchange across diverse subject expertise to address global issues impacting humanity in the rapidly changing world. It also endeavors to provide a comprehensive education, benchmarked against the highest international standards, designed to develop fully the intellectual and personal strengths of its students, while extending lifelong learning opportunities for the community.
HKU upholds its commitment to delivering impact through internationalisation, innovation and interdisciplinarity, while making a positive social contribution through its global presence, regional significance, and engagement with the rest of China. The university relies on governance, risk management, and internal controls to pursue its mission of being Asia's leading global university, and maintaining its position as a frontrunner in higher education.
The Role
The Director of Internal Audit has the overall responsibility for the Internal Audit Office (IAO), and reports functionally to the Audit Committee and administratively to the President through the Executive Vice-President (Administration and Finance). The appointee will lead the IAO in providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve the University’s governance, risk management and control processes in alignment with the University’s vision and strategic development.
Detailed responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
- Planning, conducting and reporting different types of internal audits, including thematic, operational, departmental, financial and compliance audits to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management and value for money in different aspects of the University and formulate mitigation or recommendations for improvement
- Monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations to ensure continuous improvement and proper functioning of administration, internal controls, etc. in the audited units or functions;
- Carrying out special reviews and investigation as required;
- Working with the external auditors in the University’s annual audit exercise;
- Participating in the enterprise risk management of the University;
- Ensuring the functioning of the IAO is closely aligned with professional best practices and its outputs are of high professional standard; and
- Arranging and establishing training and professional development for the staff of the IAO to build the team into a unit which is both up-to-date in audit practices and efficient and co-operative in its functioning.
Qualifications and Qualities
Qualified candidates should possess the following qualifications, experience and personal attributes:
- A good University degree preferably in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration, with professional qualification in accounting or internal audit;
- At least 15 years’ experience in leading the internal audit functions in organizations of comparable size and capacity;
- Experience with public or publicly funded bodies is an advantage, or alternatively background from established multi-national companies and professional services firms;
- Knowledge of management information systems and computer based accounting systems;
- Exceptional leadership and organizational skills, strong business acumen and management capability;
- Excellent communication and people skills; and
- A good command of written and spoken English; fluency in Chinese is highly preferred.
What We Offer
The appointment will be made on fixed-term full-time contract for 3 years, to commence as soon as possible with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance. A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, together with contract-end gratuity and University contribution to a retirement benefits scheme at 15% of basic salary. Other benefits include annual leave and medical benefits. Housing benefits will be provided as applicable.
Nomination, Expression of Interest and Applications
Nominations, expressions of interest and applications should be directed to Heidrick & Struggles via email at hkudia@heidrick.com in confidence, preferably on or before January 5, 2025. Review of nominations and applications will continue until the post is filled.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and
is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency
