Fractional Internal Audit Specialist (Telco, Australia)

Internal Auditor (Telco)Hybrid; in-person time required in Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide (Australia)Contract Engagement
Role SummaryProfessional Services Co is seeking an Internal Auditor to establish and deliver an Internal Audit (IA) function for a telecommunications client setting up IA for the first time. You will partner closely with the CFO to define an IA strategy and operating model (in-house, outsourced, or co-sourced), deliver practical, value-adding audits, and help embed a culture of continuous business improvement through actionable insights.
Key Responsibilities- Establish the internal audit function from the ground up including charter, governance, methodology, reporting, and stakeholder engagement cadence.- Advise the CFO on the optimal IA operating model (co-sourcing vs in-house vs outsourced) and support implementation planning.- Develop a risk-based internal audit plan aligned to business priorities, regulatory considerations, and key telco risks.- Execute hands-on audits end-to-end including scoping, fieldwork, documentation, control testing, issue rating, and reporting.- Identify pragmatic recommendations that improve processes, controls, efficiency, and risk management outcomes.- Build strong relationships with business leaders and control owners, applying diplomacy to drive alignment and timely remediation.- Track audit actions and verify closure, escalating where necessary while maintaining constructive stakeholder partnerships.- Contribute to a culture where audit insights are used to improve business performance, not just compliance.- Produce clear, concise reporting for senior stakeholders, translating technical findings into commercial impact and prioritised actions.- Support the evolution of the IA capability over time, with scope to help onboard additional audit resources as the function grows.
Success Measures- A clear, CFO-aligned IA strategy and operating model is defined and socialised early.- A practical, risk-based audit plan is established and underway.- Early audits deliver actionable outcomes that stakeholders recognise as improving the business.- Stakeholders describe the auditor as technically strong, commercially astute, and diplomatic.- Audit reports are high quality, timely, and lead to measurable remediation progress.
Minimum Qualifications- 5+ years of internal audit experience.- Appropriate professional qualifications (e.g., relevant degree and/or recognised audit/accounting/risk credentials).- Telecommunications industry experience and understanding of common telco risks and operating environments.- Australian work experience.
Key Skills & Attributes- Strong internal audit technical capability including risk assessment, control design evaluation, and audit execution.- Commercial acumen with the ability to prioritise work that drives tangible business value.- Diplomatic stakeholder management, able to influence without authority and maintain constructive relationships.- Clear written and verbal communication, able to present to senior leaders with confidence and credibility.- Comfortable operating with ambiguity and building structure in a “first-time IA” environment.- High ownership mindset with the ability to both set strategy and deliver hands-on work.
Working Arrangements- Hybrid, contract model with some in-person attendance in Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide as required.
How to ApplySubmit your resume highlighting internal audit delivery, experience establishing or uplifting audit functions, and relevant telecommunications and Australian work experience.
Please share CV with info@projectbrains.io