IT Audit Director / Head of Audit Applications & Change (EMEA)

A leading financial services institution is seeking an experienced IT Audit Director to lead and develop audit coverage across Application Controls and Change/Transformation.

This high-impact role is ideal for a senior audit leader who brings a strong technical foundation in technology risk, project governance, and business application controls, along with a proven track record in people management, regulatory assurance, and strategic audit planning.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Define and drive the long-term vision and audit strategy for application and change coverage.
• Shape and lead a high-performing audit team across technology and change portfolios.
• Actively contribute to the development of audit methodologies and promote continuous improvement.
• Build collaborative relationships with audit leadership across regions to support integrated assurance.

Audit Delivery

• Own the audit plan for application and change risk, aligned to enterprise risk appetite.
• Lead complex audits using risk-based methodologies, data analytics, and automation where applicable.
• Oversee dynamic updates to the audit plan based on emerging risks and business change.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of audits, issue validations, and regulatory assurance.
• Assess the effectiveness of controls around application development, change management, and transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Engage and influence senior technology, change, and business stakeholders across EMEA.
• Present audit findings and strategic insights to senior management and governance committees.
• Support a culture of transparency by providing real-time feedback during audit engagements.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide control improvements by highlighting control gaps and emerging risks.

Team Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of senior IT auditors, developing both technical and leadership capability.
• Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture that embraces flexibility and innovation.
• Drive team accountability for output, engagement, and continuous learning.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• 10+ years of experience in IT audit, change audit, or technology risk, ideally within financial services.
• Strong knowledge of IT governance, risk, and control frameworks (e.g., COBIT, COSO, NIST, ITIL).
• Solid understanding of application controls, SDLC, project governance, and change assurance.
• Proven experience managing complex audit portfolios and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Exceptional communication, reporting, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred

• Background in corporate or investment banking, capital markets, or regulated financial services.
• Hands-on audit delivery experience across both technology and transformation programmes.
• Regulatory awareness across EMEA jurisdictions and ability to influence in regulated environments.
• Experience using data analytics and emerging technologies in audit delivery.

Qualifications

• Professional audit/technology certifications such as CISA, CRISC, or equivalent.
• Additional qualifications in risk, audit, cybersecurity, or project governance.

What We're Looking For

• Strategic thinker with hands-on delivery capability.
• Resilient and agile leader who can balance governance with innovation.
• Strong coaching ability and commitment to team development.
• Ability to challenge constructively, operate with urgency, and influence senior leadership.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator with strong judgement and attention to detail.

Eames Consulting is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.