Director Internal Control

The position is in Kuwat. Please apply only if you are ready to relocate. About the Company A leading Manufacturer & Retailer in the GCC—renowned for innovation, premium quality, and a strong regional retail footprint—is seeking a Director of Internal Control to drive the organization’s governance, risk, and compliance maturity as it expands across the region and prepares for a potential IPO. This is a high-impact leadership role for an accomplished professional with strong strategic thinking, governance expertise, and operational understanding. The Director will shape the overall control environment, build long-term frameworks, and act as a key advisor to the executive team on internal control effectiveness and regulatory readiness. Role Summary The Director of Internal Control will lead the company’s internal control function across all business verticals—manufacturing, retail, supply chain, finance, and IT—ensuring a strong, scalable control environment that supports financial integrity, operational excellence, and compliance with regulatory standards. The Director will partner closely with C-level executives, internal audit, risk management, and external auditors to ensure end-to-end governance alignment and readiness for future investors, regulators, or IPO requirements. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership • Develop and lead the enterprise-wide Internal Control strategy aligned with the company’s growth, operational complexity, and IPO roadmap. • Oversee the design and implementation of a comprehensive internal control framework covering all business units and geographies. • Serve as a strategic advisor to senior management and the Board on internal control, governance, and regulatory readiness. Governance & Control Framework Development • Establish and continuously refine governance documents, SOPs, policies, Delegation of Authority (DoA), and compliance manuals. • Ensure adherence to internationally recognized standards such as COSO, SOX, and CMA governance rules. Risk & Control Oversight • Lead enterprise-wide control assessments, process reviews, and risk mapping for financial, operational, and IT processes. • Oversee the timely remediation of control deficiencies and coordinate integrated control testing programs. • Maintain a company-wide risk register and ensure alignment with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks. Audit & Regulatory Interface • Act as the primary liaison for internal and external audit teams, ensuring smooth audits and strong remediation practices. • Support executive leadership in meeting CMA, corporate governance, and IPO regulatory requirements. • Ensure full compliance with corporate laws and emerging regulatory changes across GCC jurisdictions. Operational Excellence & Culture Building • Strengthen control awareness across all levels of the organization through training, communication, and continuous improvement initiatives. • Implement dashboards, analytics tools, and monitoring systems to track control performance and key risk indicators. • Champion a culture of transparency, accountability, and operational discipline across multi-country operations. Reporting & Executive Engagement • Present control performance, risk insights, and key findings to the CFO, CEO, and Board Committees. • Provide actionable recommendations and drive cross-functional alignment for process improvement and governance enhancement. Qualifications • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field. • CA, CPA, ACCA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent certifications preferred. • 12–15+ years of experience in Internal Control, Internal Audit, or Risk Management. • Experience in retail, FMCG, manufacturing, or large-scale multi-country environments. • Proven expertise in governance frameworks, IPO readiness, CMA compliance, and process optimization. • Strong communication, analytical, and stakeholder management skills. Why Join Us? • Lead internal control transformation for a fast-growing regional brand preparing for future expansion and IPO. • Influence executive decision-making and work directly with C-level leadership and Board Committees. • Drive governance excellence across multi-country operations in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment. • Attractive compensation and long-term career growth opportunities.