Chief Internal Audit Officer (CIAO)

Job description

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry. At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any basis prohibited by the laws that govern its operations. Chief Internal Audit Officer (CIAO) About the Team Internal Audit is an independent, global function providing assurance to the Board of Directors and senior leadership on the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal controls. The team operates across all geographies and business lines, including insurance, reinsurance, and corporate functions, delivering risk-based insights that strengthen the organization’s resilience and long-term performance. How does this role contribute to our collective success? The Chief Internal Audit Officer serves as the highest level audit officer of the Company and provides independent, objective assurance to the Board Audit Committee on the effectiveness of the company’s risk management, control, and governance processes. This role shapes and leads the global Internal Audit strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and regulatory expectations. Success is measured through the quality of assurance provided, the impact of insights delivered, and the strength of stakeholder confidence at Board and Executive levels. The role maintains a dual reporting line to the General Counsel for administrative matters and to the Audit Committee for functional independence. What will you do in this role? Setting and executing the multi-year strategy for the global Internal Audit function, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk priorities, business transformation initiatives, regulatory expectations, and long-term business objectives Leading the development, maintenance, and delivery of a dynamic, risk-based audit plan informed by executive management, second-line risk and compliance functions, external auditors, regulators, and the Board Audit Committee Proactively identifying and assessing emerging external and enterprise risks — including macroeconomic, geopolitical, regulatory, climate, cyber, technology, third-party, and market developments — and translating those insights into audit priorities, advisory recommendations, and timely adjustments to audit coverage and resource deployment Assessing culture, conduct, governance, and decision-making effectiveness as leading indicators of broader risk, and incorporating those insights into audit planning, reporting, and stakeholder challenge Providing independent, objective assurance and clear reporting to the Board Audit Committee on audit plan progress, significant findings, remediation status, control effectiveness, and the overall internal control environment, with direct and independent access to the Audit Committee Chair when significant concerns arise Serving as a trusted advisor to the Board, CEO, Executive Committee, and senior business leaders and providing pro-active advice on governance, risk, control design, process effectiveness, and regulatory compliance, while preserving functional independence Overseeing audit coverage across underwriting, claims, investments, finance, actuarial, operations, technology, cybersecurity, third-party risk, and corporate functions, ensuring consistent global standards and high-quality execution Conducting special investigations as requested Partnering with second-line risk management and compliance functions to strengthen the three lines of defense model, reduce duplication, and support an integrated assurance approach across the enterprise Managing relationships with regulators, external auditors, and other assurance providers, including coordinating audit responses to regulatory examinations, supervisory inquiries, and market conduct reviews; coordinating assurance activities; sharing relevant risk assessments and testing results; supporting auditor reliance where appropriate; and maintaining Internal Audit’s independence Driving continuous improvement in audit methodology, quality assurance, workpaper standards, issue tracking, management action remediation, and alignment with applicable professional standards and control frameworks Championing the use of data analytics, automation, continuous monitoring, and emerging audit technologies to improve audit quality, efficiency, insight generation, and real-time risk detection Building and developing a high-performing, global audit team with strong technical capability, succession planning, professional development, credentialing support, and an inclusive culture of accountability and continuous improvement Developing and managing the Internal Audit budget, resource model, specialist audit support, and performance reporting, including transparent metrics on plan completion, issue aging, cycle times, and value delivered About You We recognize that there are multiple pathways to developing the expertise required for this role. We will consider candidates who bring a combination of deep internal audit experience, strong P&C insurance industry expertise , and broader enterprise leadership across areas such as risk management, finance, compliance, or governance. The successful candidate will have a practical, business-oriented approach , with the ability to translate audit, risk, and control insights into commercially relevant perspectives that support decision-making. They will demonstrate credibility and influence at the executive level , engaging effectively with senior leaders by speaking the language of the business while providing constructive challenge. Experience operating at Board level and influencing enterprise-wide decision making is essential. What we’re looking for Required Qualifications & Experience Possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in finance, accounting, business, or a related discipline Hold or be willing to obtain a globally recognized professional certification in internal audit or accounting (e.g., CIA, CPA, or equivalent), demonstrating commitment to internal audit standards, governance, and risk management Demonstrate extensive experience (minimum of 10+ years) leading internal audit, risk, compliance, finance, or related assurance functions within complex, global organizations Demonstrate the ability to step into a Chief Internal Audit Officer role through either direct internal audit leadership experience or closely related senior leadership roles with equivalent enterprise impact Demonstrate the ability to operate as an independent, trusted advisor to the Board Audit Committee and executive leadership, including presenting complex risk and control matters clearly Have experience designing and executing enterprise-wide, risk-based audit or assurance plans across multiple geographies and regulatory environments Demonstrate the ability to make high-stakes decisions in ambiguous environments with significant enterprise-wide impact Possess deep knowledge of governance, internal control frameworks, and regulatory expectations relevant to global financial services organizations Have experience assessing culture, conduct risk, governance effectiveness, and management accountability within complex organizations Bring strong P&C insurance expertise, with a deep understanding of underwriting, claims, and capital management, and the ability to apply this knowledge to deliver practical, business-relevant audit insights and recommendations Preferred Qualifications Hold a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation or equivalent globally recognized internal audit certification Possess additional certifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), or CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance) Possess an advanced degree (e.g., MBA or equivalent) Have significant experience within the P&C insurance or reinsurance sector, with a demonstrated ability to partner with senior business leaders and apply audit and risk insights in a pragmatic, commercially relevant way Demonstrate external industry recognition, including engagement with regulators, professional bodies, or industry forums Have experience implementing advanced audit methodologies, including data analytics, automation, and continuous auditing Have progressed through a combination of audit and non-audit leadership roles, bringing diverse perspectives to enterprise risk and assurance Leadership & Capability Expectations Demonstrate the ability to set and execute long-term strategy for a global function aligned to enterprise objectives Lead and develop senior leaders and global teams, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture Influence and challenge executive stakeholders constructively through clear, commercially grounded communication that resonates with business priorities to drive meaningful improvements in risk management and control effectiveness Represent the organization with credibility to the Board of Directors, regulators, and external stakeholders Make timely, high-stakes decisions with significant enterprise-wide implications in complex and evolving environments Role Factors Regular international travel required across key business locations Frequent preparation for and attendance at Board Audit Committee meetings Hybrid working model with presence in key offices as required For this position, we currently expect to offer a base salary in the range of $290,000 to $400,000. Your salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors including your specific experience and work location. In addition, you will be offered competitive target incentive compensation, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, you will be eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for you and your family, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more. This posting is for an existing vacancy.