Head of Internal Audit

• Key role within Pacific National’s leadership team
• Located in North Sydney or Brisbane
• Competitive remuneration + incentive structure

About us

Pacific National (PN) is the largest private provider of diversified rail freight services in Australia. We haul a variety of freight including coal, intermodal containers, steel, and a range of bulk commodities and materials that keep the region’s economy, businesses and households running. We are a company built on solid foundations and we are incredibly proud of the essential role we continue to play supporting Australia’s supply chain. At Pacific National, we take great pride in delivering our best every day and have a relentless focus on customer service and place safety above all else.

We operate nationally with approximately 3,500 staff in over 90+ sites across Australia. We respect and care for the communities in which we operate and continue to evolve our community engagement and strengthen relationships through partnerships and investment. We are focused on reducing the carbon emissions of our business, while also enabling the reduction of carbon emissions in the broader supply chain to support the National targets.

About the role

Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Internal Audit is responsible for leading and overseeing all internal audit activities within the organisation. This pivotal role involves developing and implementing comprehensive audit plans, conducting audits to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, and providing recommendations to improve processes and mitigate risks. The incumbent will collaborate closely with senior management to ensure compliance with regulations, identify areas for improvement, and enhance overall organisational efficiency.

Key accountabilities include:

• Design and implement comprehensive audit programs to assess internal controls.
• Proactively conduct risk assessments to identify potential areas of concern.
• Provide guidance and mentorship, ensuring operational efficiency.
• Foster a positive work environment through performance evaluations.
• Examine financial records and operational processes for compliance.
• Identify and recommend improvements to enhance internal control systems.
• Prepare detailed reports outlining conclusions and recommendations.
• Present audit findings effectively to senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Suggest improvements for compliance with laws, regulations, and standards.
• Review operational policies and procedures to mitigate risk.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have a robust background in audit leadership, risk management or related fields, and internal controls. You will be a dynamic and strategic leader with extensive knowledge of audit methodologies and frameworks.

In addition:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CIA, CPA, CISA) preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of auditing principles, practices, and standards, including COSO framework and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex business processes and identify control weaknesses and operational inefficiencies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Proven leadership capabilities, including the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing audit team.
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in audit software tools and technologies, as well as Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

The benefits

At Pacific National we value diversity, inclusion, and the contribution of each team member. Our values underpin our commitment to create an inclusive culture where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are, enabling everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.

When you join the Pacific National team, you’ll be encouraged to take ownership of your career and we’ll be there to support you with a range of exciting initiatives including:

• Industry leading programs focussed on your growth and career development
• Paid parental leave up to 14 weeks, with superannuation - after only 6 months service
• Parental benefits for birth, surrogacy, adoption, foster care, and kinship care
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements (subject to business needs)
• A focus on your mental health and wellbeing through our PeerConnect program
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, administered by Benestar, offering confidential counselling services for employees and their eligible family members, paid for by us at no cost to you
• Access to Unmind, a digital platform that gives you access to tools, training and exercises that will support your mental wellbeing
• Discounted fitness and wellbeing benefits with membership to WhereFit, our wellbeing benefits partner
• Novated leasing and discounts on selected health insurance funds, travel, retail brands, vehicles and more

We are proud to be a WORK180 Endorsed Employer for women, and you can visit our Work180 page Pacific National | WORK180 Endorsed Employer to find out more including a list of all of our benefits and policies. 

We are seeking applicants who share our values: Make it simple, Share More, Kindness, Gratitude, Curiosity, and Own it. These values help us achieve strong connections with everyone we work with and play an important part in motivating us all to do our best work.

Do you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process?

If you need an adjustment in the recruitment process, please outline at the time of your application.

Closing date

Applications close on the 26^th of May 2024

Next steps

Are you ready to be part of our future?

To apply, please click on the 'Apply' button below and follow the prompts.

To find out more about Pacific National, our benefits and opportunities we offer, visit our careers page: www.pacificnational.com.au/careers        

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of​ the land on which we work, live and rail.​ We pay respect to Elders past, present, and future and to the​ continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices​ of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.