Head of Internal Audit

Overview:

At Kyowa Kirin International (KKI), our purpose is to make people smile. This means more than drug discovery and development; it is about embedding care into everything we do to make a difference every day for those that need it most. We’re an inclusive pharmaceutical company that takes time to understand what really matters to our patients, their families, and their healthcare professionals, helping our people to take bold actions that deliver life-changing solutions sooner. Our culture is rooted in our values: Teamwork, Commitment to Life, Innovation, and Integrity. They help us to push boundaries to deliver extraordinary impact and make KKI a brilliant place to work.

Job Purpose: Lead KKI (Kyowa Kirin International) - EMEA’s Internal Audit function, focused on evaluating the Company’s risk management activities. Supports KKC (Kyowa Kirin Co, Kyowa Kirin’s global headquarter) Internal Audit Department (IAD) and the KKI EMEA Audit Committee in helping ensure that established financial, operational and compliance practices are adequate and operating effectively across the EMEA region. Lead the KKI audit team consisting of an Internal Audit Manager alongside a co-source Internal Audit provision from a Big 4 accountancy firm. Responsibilities:

• Lead performing a risk assessment, at least annually, to identify and prioritise KKI EMEA’s strategic, operational, and financial risks.
• Lead the execution of a risk-based internal audit plan that examines and evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the EMEA Region’s internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.
• Lead the performance of audit procedures in accordance with an established methodology, including identifying and defining issues, analysing evidence, documenting processes and procedures, providing recommendations, and following-up findings and recommendations.
• Lead specific audits or investigations on a needs basis as requested by the President, the Audit Committee, or KKC IAD, and authorised by KKC IAD.
• Lead evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, including application of J-SOX (Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Law)
• Present reports and other information to the President and the KKI Audit Committees well as to executive management to enable them to discharge their responsibilities and to be knowledgeable about the state of the organisation’s system of internal control and risk management processes.
• Lead, develop, coach and build IA team as well as leading the co-source partner.
• Lead and organise Quality Assurance and Improvement Program that includes both internal and external assessment.
• Create, maintain and improve Internal Audit processes, tools and best practices.
• Share insights on new business developments, new system implementations and other strategic initiatives to ensure internal controls are considered and designed into the process, thus ensuring the likelihood of success.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with KKI EMEA leadership and communicate emerging best practices and provide internal control awareness and training for managers throughout the organisation.
• Coordinate with other risk and assurance functions, including ERM and Compliance to align on risks, planned audit activities and results.

Qualifications:

• Strong Audit & Finance reporting experience with CIA, CPA, ACA, ACCA qualification or equivalent
• Outstanding accounting, auditing, SOX controls testing, and business analysis skills combined with good judgment and credibility.
• Business experience in two or more job functions including Internal Audit, Finance Controls and/or Business Consulting
• Demonstrated success leading global teams, strong project management skills.
• Good understanding of pharmaceutical business is preferred but not mandatory as well as the linkage between business success and operational excellence.