Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit (Quality Assurance & Transformation)

Shangri-La Group

Shangri-La Group is a global leader in luxury hospitality with unique Asian heritage.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, we have over 100 hotels and resorts under four brands nested in key cities and beautiful beachfront locations globally. We are expanding rapidly with a strong development pipeline throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Regarded as one of the world’s finest hotel ownership and management companies, Shangri-La is dedicated to delight guests around the world with legendary service, finely tuned from 50 years of hospitality from the heart. We have an affinity with Asian travellers and we offer them a gateway to the rest of the world, positioning us a leading brand in luxury hospitality.

As an enviable employer with industry leading levels of colleague engagement, our people are our priority. Our success is only made possible through the efforts and abilities of over 42,000 colleagues worldwide. In accordance with this belief, the focused investment we make in the learning and development of our colleagues is unparalleled in the global hospitality industry. From welcoming new colleagues, to best in class leadership development, you can be sure that potential is identified and nurtured throughout your career.

The Group Internal Audit Department (GIA) provides the Shangri-La Group with a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, governance and controls. The GIA team consists of 5 key disciplines: enterprise risk management, operational audit, project audit, systems audit, investigation. GIA adopts a risk-based audit methodology to assess and report on the Group’s network of controls, governance, business and financial risk management processes within an integrated assurance framework (IAF).

We are currently looking for an Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit (Quality Assurance & Transformation), who will be a key contributor for building the internal center of excellence and driving transformation under the direction of and reporting to the Chief Auditor. As a member of the GIA leadership team, he/she will assist the Chief Auditor to manage GIA’s methodology, tools & technology, Quality Assurance and Improvement program (QAIP), board reporting, training, helping to ensure conformity with internal policies and professional standards (e.g. Institute of Internal Auditor), benchmarking with leading practices to help driving enhancement of the department.

The position requires strong knowledge of auditing practices and IIA QAIP requirements and internal audit tools and systems, including proficiency in managing, developing and/or overseeing quality assurance activities and implementation and maintenance of governance, risk management and audit software. Additionally, this position requires high degree of flexibility in a dynamic environment to assist with other departmental operational activities, which may include development or enhancement of audit methodology, management and audit committee meeting materials preparation and special projects as assigned. The individual should have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact, influence and effect changes with multiple stakeholders at all levels within GIA across the department. This position requires strong written communication, project management and presentation skills.

As our Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit (Quality Assurance & Transformation), we will rely him/ her onto:

• Drive and monitor implementation of departmental transformation projects, including update of audit methodology, audit programs, refreshing internal audit manual, departmental policies and procedures to ensure alignment with regulatory guidelines, group policies, professional standards and best practices provided by Institute of Internal Auditors and other reputable international organizations such as COSO.
• Lead the development, maintenance and continuous refinement of the Quality Assurance and Improvement Program that evaluate conformity with internal policies and procedures and IIA Standards
• Perform quality assurance reviews of audit reports and corresponding issues memo, and audit engagement files to assess adherence with internal policies and procedures contained within the Internal Audit Manual. Provide constructive feedback to reinforce audit execution practices and procedures, and develop specific training needs based on review results.
• Perform formal periodic self-assessment review of internal audit activities and communicate thematic trends including recommendations for improvement, using succinct and impactful presentations.
• Manage internal quality assurance reviews through a risk-based selection approach of audit files and other audit-related documentation. Exercise judgment to ensure review targets are met and adjust targets as appropriate to align with department goals / needs.
• Assist with external quality and assessment reviews including the selection of independent review firm, preparation and implementation of recommendations
• Maintain and refresh the quality assurance review schedule that is coordinated with the audit execution cycle, ensuring clear communication across teams and audit leadership.
• Maintain and refresh quality assurance checklists that support the audit execution methodology to ensure adequate assessment against internal policies and procedures.
• Assist in managing and reporting key performance indicators of the department.
• Assist in monitoring progress of audit and deliverables with approved annual audit plan and internal target.
• Assist in the preparation and deliver regular updates to the team as well as senior management, management committees, Audit and Risk Committee, and external stakeholders (e.g. including external quality examiners).
• Articulate and present issues clearly to the Chief Auditor and senior management.
• Monitor follow-up status of audit issues and corrective action plans by respective GIA teams
• Coordinate and work with different GIA team leads to drive the department’s continuous effort of enhancement and modernization of its audit, risk management and investigation approach, including use of technology and data analytics (e.g. implementation of GRC and audit tools).
• Prepare monthly departmental reports to capture the project progress in order to verify all projects have been implemented in the month as planned.
• Prepare department bulletins communicating changes to internal audit standards and/or practices
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned
  

We are looking for someone who is/ has:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Accounting / Finance / Business Management / Information Technology or related disciplines
• Expert knowledge of the professional practice of internal auditing, ideally demonstrated by achievement of a relevant professional certifications (e.g. CPA, CIA, CISA)
• Significant knowledge related to IIA standards including Quality Assurance Improvement requirements and enterprise risk management framework are strongly preferred
• At least 10 years’ experience in a global organization with increasing management responsibility for internal audit, compliance and/or risk management or with a professional consultancy firm
• At least 5years’ experience in management role in a large publicly quoted company or a professional consultancy firm; proven track record of project management in a complex and deadline-driven environment
• Excellent spoken and written English; proficient in Mandarin is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, including outstanding ability to summarize complex ideas, audit results and issues for succinct and impactful presentations for executive and senior management.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills
• Acute attention to detail, prioritize work and handle multiple assignments in a fast paced-environment
• Lodging /hospitality industry experience highly desirable
• Experience in governance, risk management and audit software or data analytic tools is highly preferred
• Strong relationship builder that operates with a collaborative mindset, communicates well with key stakeholders at all levels and can make presentations confidently to senior management
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in exercising broad discretion with minimal guidance and supervision
• Fast learner with a willing attitude, resilience and a team player with strong work ethic