Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds
Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line

Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 100000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Transform internal audit into a market-facing, revenue-generating service line.
  • Company: Global corporate group with a focus on innovation and growth.
  • Benefits: Six-figure salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and international exposure.
  • Other info: Opportunity for rapid career acceleration and global market exposure.
  • Why this job: Build something meaningful and leave a lasting legacy in your career.
  • Qualifications: Senior experience in audit, compliance, or risk; commercial mindset essential.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.

Build something that doesn't exist yet. This is not just another audit leadership role. You'll transform an internal function into a commercial service with real scale. This is a greenfield leadership opportunity to take a high-performing internal audit and compliance function and turn it into a market-facing, revenue-generating service line with real commercial scale.

If you've ever felt that your commercial, entrepreneurial or transformation instincts were underused in traditional audit roles, this could be the role you've been waiting for.

Why this role is genuinely rare:

  • You won't be inheriting a static function.
  • You'll be given a clear mandate to modernise it, commercialise it and scale it externally.

The team already exists. The capability already exists. What doesn't exist yet is the business. The compliance market is huge. I want someone who can grow this into a multi-million-pound external service line.

Opportunity in plain English:

You’ll lead a specialist team delivering internal audit, compliance assurance and controls work today - and reshape how that capability is delivered tomorrow. Your remit will span:

  • Strategy - defining what the service becomes and where it plays
  • Commercialisation - pricing, propositions, contracts and go-to-market
  • Transformation - technology, automation, new delivery models
  • Leadership - developing a high-calibre team into a scalable unit

This is not about selling hours. It’s about building a credible, modern compliance and GRC service that external clients actually want to buy.

What you’ll be trusted to do:

  • Design and execute the service-line growth strategy
  • Turn internal delivery into formal, commercial contracts
  • Build external propositions and pipelines
  • Lead digital and operational transformation
  • Develop partnerships with technology providers
  • Shape standards, pricing models and delivery frameworks
  • Grow revenue fast - and sustainably

We need someone who can think commercially, reshape delivery, lower cost-to-serve and scale fast. You’ll sit on the senior leadership team and have visibility across the UK, Europe and the US.

Who this will resonate with:

This role will suit someone who:

  • Has senior experience in internal audit, compliance or risk
  • Has seen how traditional audit models work - and knows they can be better
  • Thinks commercially, not just technically
  • Enjoys building things, not just running them
  • Can balance rigour with pace and pragmatism
  • Has one or more of ACA/ICAEW/ICAS, CPA CIA, CIPM, CISA qualification(s)

You might be from a large professional services firm, ready to do something more entrepreneurial or already in industry, looking for a role with real autonomy and legacy.

What matters most isn’t where you've worked - it's whether you can demonstrate change, impact and modernisation.

What makes this compelling long-term:

  • You build something meaningful - not just manage BAU
  • You have real backing - financial, strategic and operational
  • You design the tech stack - no legacy constraints
  • You gain global exposure - across multiple markets
  • You accelerate your career - success here opens big doors

In a few years, you'll look back at a service line you built from scratch.

Package & flexibility:

  • Senior leadership salary (six-figure base)
  • Bonus and long-term incentive
  • Hybrid working from Leeds or London
  • International exposure and travel

Final thought:

If you're looking for a standard, BAU audit leadership role, this isn't it. But if you're someone who feels destined to build, transform and leave a legacy, this could be one of the most career-defining moves you ever make.

Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds employer: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Join a forward-thinking organisation that empowers its leaders to innovate and create impactful change. As the Director of Internal Audit, you'll enjoy a competitive six-figure salary, an attractive executive package, and the unique opportunity to build a commercial service line from the ground up in either Yorkshire or London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, hybrid working options, and global exposure, this role offers a dynamic work culture where your entrepreneurial spirit can thrive and make a lasting legacy.
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

Contact Detail:

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the audit and compliance space. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your entrepreneurial spirit! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your past experiences where you've transformed processes or led initiatives. They want to see that you can think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews by understanding the company’s current audit practices and where they could improve. Bring your insights on how to modernise and commercialise their services. This will show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone ready to make a real impact.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare and stand out. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you a better chance of getting noticed.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds

Internal Audit
Compliance Assurance
Commercialisation
Strategic Planning
Transformation Management
Leadership Development
Digital Transformation
Operational Transformation
Partnership Development
Pricing Strategy
Contract Management
Market Analysis
Entrepreneurial Thinking
Change Management
Risk Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: This role is all about transformation and building something new. Make sure your application reflects your entrepreneurial mindset and any past experiences where you've successfully led change or innovation.

Highlight Relevant Experience: We want to see how your background in internal audit, compliance, or risk aligns with this unique opportunity. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the commercialisation and scaling of services.

Be Clear and Concise: Your written application should be straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas clearly, especially when discussing your vision for the service line.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to build something from scratch.

How to prepare for a job interview at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

✨Understand the Vision

Before your interview, take time to really grasp the unique vision of this role. It's not just about maintaining standards; it's about transforming an internal function into a commercial service. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to this vision and what innovative ideas you have for building something from scratch.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen

This role requires a strong commercial mindset. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully commercialised a service or product. Highlight your understanding of pricing strategies, market propositions, and how you've previously driven revenue growth in similar contexts.

✨Demonstrate Transformation Experience

Since this position involves significant transformation, be ready to share specific instances where you've led change initiatives. Discuss the technologies or new delivery models you've implemented and how they improved efficiency or effectiveness. This will show that you can balance rigour with pace and pragmatism.

✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions

Expect to engage in strategic conversations during your interview. Brush up on your knowledge of the compliance market and think about how you would define the service line's growth strategy. Be prepared to discuss potential partnerships with technology providers and how you envision shaping standards and delivery frameworks.

Director of Internal Audit - Set up a Commercial Service line in Leeds
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Location: Leeds

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