Senior Manager, Internal Audit
At a glance
Senior Audit & Controls role at Novartis. Barcelona Gran Vía · full-time · €59,100–€109,700 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run complex audit and advisory work from planning through delivery across markets and corporate functions
- Trace risks to their underlying causes, then recommend practical changes that add value
- Write clear audit findings for senior leaders and advise Operations stakeholders with independent, practical challenge
- Help set regional audit priorities, refine audit methods and expand the use of data, digital tools and AI
- Coach auditors through onboarding, shared learning and ongoing feedback
What you bring
- A university degree in business, finance, accounting, risk or a related discipline
- A track record leading complex audit or advisory work and handling senior stakeholders
- Strong grounding in governance, risk and internal controls in regulated settings
- Practical use of analytics, digital tools and AI to improve audits, including AI-enabled tools in regulated environments
- Fluent English and the ability to communicate credibly with senior leaders
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone who can lead audit engagements while advising senior stakeholders and developing auditors. The position is based in Barcelona and involves travel of about thirty to forty percent. Professional audit or risk certifications are a plus.
From the employer
Salary Range:
€59,100.00 - €109,700.00
Job Description Summary
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Shape how Novartis strengthens trust, integrity, and performance across Europe. As a Senior Manager, Internal Audit, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high‑impact audit and advisory work that influences senior leaders, sharpens risk awareness, and drives meaningful change across markets and corporate functions. Working at the intersection of governance, risk management, and digital innovation, you will lead complex engagements, bring forward pragmatic insights, and help evolve how Internal Audit uses data and digital tools to stay ahead of risk.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
Lead complex audit and advisory engagements end‑to‑end across markets and corporate functions.
Deliver risk‑based insights by identifying root causes and proposing pragmatic, value‑adding recommendations.
Ensure consistent, high‑quality execution aligned with Internal Audit standards, methodology, and quality assurance programs.
Produce clear, impactful audit and advisory reports for senior management and key stakeholders.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior Operations stakeholders, providing independent challenge and practical insight.
Contribute to regional audit planning by identifying emerging risks and assurance priorities.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of audit methodology, supporting consistent, high‑quality execution and AI/digitally enabled audit practices.
Coach and develop auditors through onboarding, knowledge sharing, and continuous feedback.
Champion data‑driven, digitally enabled audit practices by using available tools and promoting adoption.
Please be advised that there is a travel requirement with this role of circa 30%-40%.
Essential Requirements
University degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Risk, or a related discipline.
Experience within Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, or other highly regulated industries is strongly preferred; relevant Big Four experience with a healthcare or life sciences focus is an advantage.
Proven ability to lead complex audit or advisory engagements and manage senior stakeholders effectively.
Strong knowledge of governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks in regulated environments.
Hands‑on experience leveraging data analytics, digital tools, and AI to enhance audit outcomes, including adoption of AI‑enabled audit tools in regulated environments.
Fluency in English, with the ability to communicate clearly and credibly at senior leadership level, additional European languages are an advantage.
Desirable Requirements
Professional certifications are a strong plus, including CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CRMA (Certification in Risk Management Assurance), CPA, or equivalent.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve
Skills Desired
Compliance And Controls (Inactive), Critical Thinking, E2E Process View (Inactive), Employee Engagement, Financial Accounting, Financial Management Reporting, Giving And Receiving Feedback (Inactive), Interpersonal Savvy (Inactive), Problem Solving, Process Optimization