Vacature Head of Group Audit in Maastricht

Are you a Head of Group Audit in Maastricht ready to lead Group Internal Audit at dsm-firmenich, reporting directly to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair?

You deliver independent, risk-based assurance and advisory across financial, operational, compliance, technology/cyber, ESG and transformation risks—strengthening governance, risk management and internal controls.

Assurance: quarterly risk-based plan; rated findings, root-cause analysis and remediation
Advisory: de-risk strategic initiatives via pre-implementation reviews
Combined assurance: align with ERM, Compliance and Security; issue tracking & escalation
Reporting & QAIP: quarterly committee packs; external audit liaison; 5-year assessments

Relevante topfunctie binnen internal audit en enterprise risk assurance, nu uitgelicht op auditcarriere.nl — de vacaturebank voor Head of Group Audit-rollen, met professionele community en nieuwsbrief.

Location: Maastricht, Netherlands (strong preference); alternatively Barcelona, Spain, or Paris, France.

As Head of Group Audit, reporting directly to the Audit & Risk Committee Chair, you will provide independent, risk-based assurance and advisory services that protect and enhance organizational value. You will lead Group Internal Audit across all entities and functions, delivering insight into governance, risk management, and internal controls—spanning financial, operational, compliance, technology, cyber, ESG, and transformation risks. Beyond assurance, you will act as a catalyst for continuous improvement enabling the organization to achieve its objectives with confidence.”

Your key responsibilities:

Assurance Delivery: Develop and execute a quarterly, risk-based audit plan approved by the Audit & Risk Committee. Provide assurance reports with rated findings, root cause analysis, and actionable remediation. Perform thematic/governance audits on emerging risks (e.g., AI controls, data privacy, cyber resilience, third-party risk, BCM).
Advisory & Value Enablement: Provide targeted advisory on strategic initiatives, major programs, and control design without assuming management responsibility. Offer pre-implementation reviews on key programs to de-risk delivery.
Issue Management & Follow-up: Maintain an issue tracking and escalation protocol.
Coordination & Combined Assurance: Align with ERM, Compliance, Information/Cyber Security, Financial Control to create a unified risk assurance map and minimize duplication.
Reporting: Deliver quarterly Audit Committee packs: plan progress, key findings, thematic insights, risk trends, and resourcing updates.
Regulatory & External Liaison: Engage external auditors to coordinate on annual reporting.
Quality & Continuous Improvement: Maintain a QAIP with external quality assessments at least every five years and close internal quality actions.

We offer:

Strategic Impact – A leadership role with direct influence on organizational resilience, value creation, and long-term success.
Leadership & Growth – The opportunity to lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing audit team while shaping the future of the Internal Audit function.
Catalyst for Change – A platform to influence better decision-making and strengthen governance in a dynamic environment.
Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership
A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.

You bring:

Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Minimum 20+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or assurance within a complex, multinational organization.
Proven track record of leading teams and delivering risk-based assurance and advisory services at executive and board level.
Deep expertise in governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, with exposure to digital transformation, data analytics, cyber risk, and ESG assurance.
Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen - Ability to align audit priorities with organizational strategy and anticipate emerging risks.
Leadership & People Development - Proven capability to inspire, coach, and develop a high-performing, globally distributed team.
Stakeholder Influence & Communication - Exceptional skill in engaging senior executives and boards with clarity, independence, and impact.
Risk Management Expertise - Deep understanding of enterprise risk frameworks, regulatory requirements, and assurance methodologies.

About dsm-firmenich

At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

Our application process

Are you interested in this role? Please, apply by submitting your application in English.

Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.