European Audit Manager

The Audit Manager will be responsible for the audit activity of the two Belgium regulated insurance Companies, Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe and Cigna Europe Insurance Company, and must therefore meet the criteria set forth by the regulator (the National Bank of Belgium). The Manager will provide strategic direction for the Internal Audit function across Europe. The role includes coordinating and managing audit assignments ranging from simple, single site, engagements to complex, multi-site, large-scale audit engagements. The candidate will lead audit risk assessment process, audit execution through definition of audit scope, control evaluations, test activities, findings reporting, and creation of audit reports, issues resolution and identification of business risk profiles. The Audit Manager ensures that the European Audit team is aligned with the rest of the internal audit organization and Cigna’s strategic vision and mission, by actively promoting staff to be involved in the business, and providing strong professional development support to make staff able to make an impact and being ready for the next career step.

Direct Reports
Job role currently has 3 direct reports (see “reporting line” above), with a total team of 4. A key priority for the European Audit Manager will be to use independent judgment and discretion to recommend improvements to both audit and operational processes and procedures.

Role Responsibilities

• Assess risks and evaluate the business procedures and systems controls designed to mitigate those risks. Ensures the establishment of an audit plan based on audit risk assessment process.
• Continually examines all Internal Audit activities, programs, organizations, operations, and policies to ensure alignment with Cigna’s strategic vision and mission. The individual is expected to act as a value-add Business partner (while maintaining objectivity and independence).
• Ensures audit projects meet professional and Cigna standards in planning, execution, and reporting.
• Manages and analyzes data and records related to project administration, assignment management, and all other assigned activities to evaluate audit projects. Acts as advisor to Senior Directors of Audit SIU, IT, and Operations on audit performance and compliance with best practices.
• Assists the Senior Director and European Audit Committee in building a “best in class” global internal audit function.
• Supervises staff, including evaluation of work performed and annual performance appraisals. Supports an audit function as a “fast career track” development for specialized staff joining Corporate Audit (specialized staff from internal programs, FDP and AEDP, and other areas of the organization).
• Prepares materials for the European Audit Committee related to audit performance and achievement of annual audit plan.
• Participates in the assigned European Audit Committee and European Risks Committee meetings (TBC for the Risk Cttee)
• Reviews audit documentation and issue audit reports
• Participates in complex or sensitive audits
• Interacts with and influence senior managers and matrix partners on matters of significance
• Evaluates efficiency and cost effectiveness of audit processes; recommend changes to auditing policies, procedures and programmes as needed.
• Support the creation of the annual audit plan
• Timely execution of risk-based internal audits in accordance with the annual audit plan
• Ensures that the staffs under his/her management are compliant with deliverable expectations in the planning, execution and reporting of audit results.
• Ensures that the team staff undergo training on a continuous basis and are competent to carry out their tasks at all times.
   

Experience/Knowledge

• Ideally industry knowledge of healthcare, financial services or insurance
• Knowledge of the regulatory framework applicable to Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe and Cigna Europe Insurance Company
• Proven track record of managing and leading a team to deliver complex audit projects
• In-depth understanding of accounting principles, control procedures, and audit standards, practices and techniques
• Strong analytical skills, persistent and thorough
• Pragmatic, customer-focussed approach
• Strong verbal communicator and excellent level of written and spoken English
• Flexibility to adapt to change in a fast-paced organisation.

Personal Competencies

• Ten plus years of financial professional experience preferably in Big 4 public accounting, and/or Fortune 500, internal audit experience in the insurance sector a significant advantage”.
• Industry knowledge of healthcare insurance, financial services or general insurance,
• Knowledge of the regulatory framework applicable to Cigna Life Insurance Company of Europe and Cigna Europe Insurance Company,
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills,
• Demonstrated high level of ethics and integrity,
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with business partners globally,
• Global business knowledge and cross-cultural agility and sensitivity
• At least 5 years of staff management. Skilled in mentoring and developing an audit team to ensure a strong skill set in identifying internal control issues, documenting findings and making relevant recommendations, via the audit report
• Results driven
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to present at all levels both internally and externally. Organisational agility
• Highly developed leadership qualities with an ability to motivate and inspire a group of individuals to achieve results
• An ability to be innovative and challenge the conventional ways of doing things
• The ability to consult with clients to understand their requirements
• Ability to think analytically, interpret information / observations, apply judgment and make effective decisions
  
  

Education and Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field, with a Postgraduate (i.e. Master) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) qualification a desirable extra
• Highly developed writing and verbal skills
• Strong numerical skills
• Ability to travel between 25 and 50 percent of the time
• Good computer literacy skills
• Strong regional language skills, particularly English and Dutch, are highly desirable and French and Spanish are an advantage.
• Individual will have to be approved by the European Audit Committee, and application will be submitted to Belgian Regulator for applicant’s approval
• Individual will have to pass confirmation of no convictions, a full background check, which includes analysis of financial status

To apply, please click here