Chief Internal Audit Officer (CIAO)

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic including age color disability ethnicity gender identity marital status national origin pregnancy race religion sex sexual orientation veteran status or any basis prohibited by the laws that govern its operations.

About the Team

Internal Audit is an independent global function providing assurance to the Board of Directors and senior leadership on the effectiveness of governance risk management and internal controls. The team operates across all geographies and business lines including insurance reinsurance and corporate functions delivering risk-based insights that strengthen the organizations resilience and long-term performance.

How does this role contribute to our collective success

The Chief Internal Audit Officer serves as the highest level audit officer of the Company and provides independent objective assurance to the Board Audit Committee on the effectiveness of the companys risk management control and governance processes. This role shapes and leads the global Internal Audit strategy ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and regulatory expectations. Success is measured through the quality of assurance provided the impact of insights delivered and the strength of stakeholder confidence at Board and Executive levels. The role maintains a dual reporting line to the General Counsel for administrative matters and to the Audit Committee for functional independence.

What will you do in this role

• Setting and executing the multi-year strategy for the global Internal Audit function ensuring alignment with enterprise risk priorities business transformation initiatives regulatory expectations and long-term business objectives
• Leading the development maintenance and delivery of a dynamic risk-based audit plan informed by executive management second-line risk and compliance functions external auditors regulators and the Board Audit Committee
• Proactively identifying and assessing emerging external and enterprise risks including macroeconomic geopolitical regulatory climate cyber technology third-party and market developments and translating those insights into audit priorities advisory recommendations and timely adjustments to audit coverage and resource deployment
• Assessing culture conduct governance and decision-making effectiveness as leading indicators of broader risk and incorporating those insights into audit planning reporting and stakeholder challenge
• Providing independent objective assurance and clear reporting to the Board Audit Committee on audit plan progress significant findings remediation status control effectiveness and the overall internal control environment with direct and independent access to the Audit Committee Chair when significant concerns arise
• Serving as a trusted advisor to the Board CEO Executive Committee and senior business leaders and providing pro-active advice on governance risk control design process effectiveness and regulatory compliance while preserving functional independence
• Overseeing audit coverage across underwriting claims investments finance actuarial operations technology cybersecurity third-party risk and corporate functions ensuring consistent global standards and high-quality execution
• Conducting special investigations as requested
• Partnering with second-line risk management and compliance functions to strengthen the three lines of defense model reduce duplication and support an integrated assurance approach across the enterprise
• Managing relationships with regulators external auditors and other assurance providers including coordinating audit responses to regulatory examinations supervisory inquiries and market conduct reviews; coordinating assurance activities; sharing relevant risk assessments and testing results; supporting auditor reliance where appropriate; and maintaining Internal Audits independence
• Driving continuous improvement in audit methodology quality assurance workpaper standards issue tracking management action remediation and alignment with applicable professional standards and control frameworks
• Championing the use of data analytics automation continuous monitoring and emerging audit technologies to improve audit quality efficiency insight generation and real-time risk detection
• Building and developing a high-performing global audit team with strong technical capability succession planning professional development credentialing support and an inclusive culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Developing and managing the Internal Audit budget resource model specialist audit support and performance reporting including transparent metrics on plan completion issue aging cycle times and value delivered

About You

We recognize that there are multiple pathways to developing the expertise required for this role. We will consider candidates who bring a combination of deep internal audit experience strong P&C insurance industry expertise and broader enterprise leadership across areas such as risk management finance compliance or governance.

The successful candidate will have a practical business-oriented approach with the ability to translate audit risk and control insights into commercially relevant perspectives that support decision-making. They will demonstrate credibility and influence at the executive level engaging effectively with senior leaders by speaking the language of the business while providing constructive challenge. Experience operating at Board level and influencing enterprise-wide decision making is essential.

What were looking for

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Possess a bachelors degree or equivalent in finance accounting business or a related discipline
• Hold or be willing to obtain a globally recognized professional certification in internal audit or accounting (e.g. CIA CPA or equivalent) demonstrating commitment to internal audit standards governance and risk management
• Demonstrate extensive experience (minimum of 10 years) leading internal audit risk compliance finance or related assurance functions within complex global organizations
• Demonstrate the ability to step into a Chief Internal Audit Officer role through either direct internal audit leadership experience or closely related senior leadership roles with equivalent enterprise impact
• Demonstrate the ability to operate as an independent trusted advisor to the Board Audit Committee and executive leadership including presenting complex risk and control matters clearly
• Have experience designing and executing enterprise-wide risk-based audit or assurance plans across multiple geographies and regulatory environments
• Demonstrate the ability to make high-stakes decisions in ambiguous environments with significant enterprise-wide impact
• Possess deep knowledge of governance internal control frameworks and regulatory expectations relevant to global financial services organizations
• Have experience assessing culture conduct risk governance effectiveness and management accountability within complex organizations
• Bring strong P&C insurance expertise with a deep understanding of underwriting claims and capital management and the ability to apply this knowledge to deliver practical business-relevant audit insights and recommendations

Preferred Qualifications

• Hold a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation or equivalent globally recognized internal audit certification
• Possess additional certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) or CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance)
• Possess an advanced degree (e.g. MBA or equivalent)
• Have significant experience within the P&C insurance or reinsurance sector with a demonstrated ability to partner with senior business leaders and apply audit and risk insights in a pragmatic commercially relevant way
• Demonstrate external industry recognition including engagement with regulators professional bodies or industry forums
• Have experience implementing advanced audit methodologies including data analytics automation and continuous auditing
• Have progressed through a combination of audit and non-audit leadership roles bringing diverse perspectives to enterprise risk and assurance

Leadership & Capability Expectations

• Demonstrate the ability to set and execute long-term strategy for a global function aligned to enterprise objectives
• Lead and develop senior leaders and global teams fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture
• Influence and challenge executive stakeholders constructively through clear commercially grounded communication that resonates with business priorities to drive meaningful improvements in risk management and control effectiveness
• Represent the organization with credibility to the Board of Directors regulators and external stakeholders
• Make timely high-stakes decisions with significant enterprise-wide implications in complex and evolving environments

Role Factors

• Regular international travel required across key business locations
• Frequent preparation for and attendance at Board Audit Committee meetings
• Hybrid working model with presence in key offices as required

For this position we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $290000 to $400000. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location.

In addition you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family health and wellness programs retirement plans tuition reimbursement paid vacation and much more.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.