Head of Internal Audit

About the role

As Head of Internal Audit you will establish and lead a global, independent internal audit function that supports Eppendorf’s growth as an international life‑science company and strengthens its governance framework.

Key responsibilities

• Build and lead a worldwide internal audit department, defining its charter, audit universe, methodologies and reporting protocols in line with IIA standards.
• Design, implement and maintain a comprehensive audit program covering financial, operational, compliance and IT audits.
• Conduct top‑down and bottom‑up risk assessments with Finance, Operations, IT, Legal, Quality/Regulatory and regional leaders to shape a rolling three‑year audit strategy.
• Develop tools and templates (risk/control matrices, work programs, reporting formats) and select an audit management solution.
• Create a 12–18‑month roadmap for function build‑up, including budget, staffing and outsourcing concepts.
• Lead end‑to‑end audits: scoping, walkthroughs, test design, fieldwork, root‑cause analysis, remediation follow‑up and reporting to senior management and the audit committee.
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors, define and monitor KPIs, and support M&A due‑diligence activities.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, economics, business law, informatics or a comparable field.
• Minimum eight years of experience in internal or external audit, risk management or compliance, preferably with responsibility for establishing or expanding an internal audit function.
• Professional qualification such as CIA, CPA or CISA.
• Proven experience planning and executing audits in finance, operations and IT controls within an international corporate environment.

Required skills