Head of Internal Audit and Assurance

We are seeking a strategic and influential Head of Internal Audit & Assurance to lead Downer’s Internal Audit, Zero Harm Assurance, and Investigations functions. In this senior leadership role, you will provide independent, objective assurance and advisory services that strengthen risk management, governance, and control frameworks across the Group.

As a trusted advisor to the Audit & Risk Committee, Zero Harm Committee, and Executive Leadership Team, you will shape the audit vision and strategy, drive a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure operational excellence. You will also oversee fraud and corruption investigations and champion prevention, detection, and response measures.

This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned audit leader to make a significant organisational impact, influence at Board level, and lead a high-performing team in a complex, multi-industry environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and Lead the Strategy – Develop and execute the vision, strategy, and annual risk-based Internal Audit Plan in alignment with business objectives and Board priorities.
• Deliver High-Impact Audit & Assurance Programs – Oversee internal audits, reviews, and investigations that add tangible value, ensuring timely, high-quality outcomes.
• Board & Executive Engagement – Act as the key liaison to the Audit & Risk and Zero Harm Committees, presenting insightful reports and recommendations.
• Fraud & Corruption Control – Lead the Investigations team and implement an organisation-wide fraud and corruption control framework.
• Zero Harm Leadership – Champion health, safety, and sustainability practices across all audit and assurance activities.
• Stakeholder Influence – Build trusted relationships with Executives, Senior Leaders, and external auditors to drive collaboration and commitment to improvement initiatives.
• People & Capability Leadership – Lead, mentor, and develop a team of audit professionals, fostering a high-performance culture and building future capability.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement – Maintain and enhance internal audit and assurance frameworks, ensuring they reflect best practice and industry standards.

What You Will Bring

• Proven Senior Audit Leadership – 10+ years’ experience in senior audit or assurance roles, ideally in complex industries such as construction, services, or facilities management.
• Professional Expertise – Degree in a finance discipline, with CA/CPA and/or CIA qualifications (or equivalent).
• Board-Level Presence – Exceptional communication skills with the gravitas to engage, influence, and advise Executives, Committees, and the Board.
• Strategic & Operational Acumen – Ability to set clear strategies while delivering operational excellence across concurrent, high-profile projects.
• Deep Risk & Governance Knowledge – Demonstrated success in strengthening risk management, governance, and control environments.
• People Leadership – Track record of leading, coaching, and developing high-performing technical teams.
• Resilience & Judgement – Highly adaptable, commercially astute, and able to make sound decisions in complex, ambiguous situations.

Benefits Of Working with Downer 

• Work with an ASX listed company, working with market leaders.
• Grow your career with us, we are passionate about giving our people opportunities to grow through personal and professional development and continuous learning:
  • Professional development programs
    • Access to professional memberships and industry networks
• Be part of a team that cares, we foster a work environment built on support that is flexible around our employee’s wellbeing needs:
  • Flexible work arrangements
    • Parental leave
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
• A range of Corporate Benefits, including: 
  • Discounted services (car hires, hotels, insurance, retail stores, gyms)

Why Downer?

You want your work to matter and so do we.  With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals.  Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.