Senior Associate - Internal Audit

Support the delivery of risk-based Internal Audit activities for the Retail and Residential Asset Management segment, providing assurance over governance, financial, operational, technical and compliance controls.

The role will assess key processes such as leasing, property and facilities management, service charges, tenant/customer management, procurement and contracts, CAPEX/OPEX, maintenance and asset lifecycle activities, and contribute practical recommendations that protect asset value and improve operational performance.

• Contribute to the creation of detailed audit plans outlining the scope, objectives, and methodologies for conducting audits across various functional areas.
• Contribute to, and where assigned lead, end-to-end audits across Retail and Residential Asset Management, from planning and walkthroughs through testing, reporting and closure.
• Develop detailed audit scopes, objectives and procedures based on key risks, applicable policies, contracts, regulations and management expectations.
• Assess controls over leasing, occupancy and tenant administration, billing and collections, service charges, property and facilities management, maintenance, procurement/vendor management and contract administration.
• Review CAPEX/OPEX governance, budgeting, approvals, work certification, variation management, asset handover, lifecycle planning and related technical/engineering controls, where relevant.
• Evaluate financial and operational controls including segregation of duties, delegated authorities, data integrity, KPI reporting, reconciliations and management monitoring.
• Perform site visits and physical verification of assets or works when relevant to the audit scope, and assess whether operational and technical controls are designed and operating effectively.
• Analyze findings to determine root causes, risk exposure and business impact, and develop practical, risk-based recommendations with management.

Document and communicate audit observations clearly and concisely, highlighting significant control gaps, cross-asset themes and opportunities to strengthen governance, efficiency and asset protection.

Monitor agreed management actions, validate evidence of implementation and elevate overdue or significant matters in accordance with the Internal Audit follow-up framework.

Facilitate the work of external audit service providers or technical specialists, when appointed, and support the use of data analytics to improve audit coverage and insight.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field.
• Given the technical nature of retail and residential asset operations, an Engineering background (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical or similar) is strongly preferred, but not mandatory.
• CIA, CFE, CISA, ACCA, CPA, CRMA or another relevant professional certification is an advantage; property, facilities or project-management qualifications are also valued.

• 5+ years of relevant Internal Audit, risk or assurance experience, preferably in real estate, asset management, property management, facilities management or a similar asset-intensive environment.
• Practical exposure to retail and/or residential operations, including leasing, service charges, maintenance, procurement/contracts and CAPEX/OPEX controls, is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 2 years of UAE experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of risk-based auditing and the assessment of governance, financial, operational and technical controls.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation and root-cause skills, with the ability to understand engineering/facilities processes and relevant UAE real estate regulatory and contractual requirements.