Nippon Sanso is one of the leading companies in the industrial and medical gases business in Europe. Serving over 150,000 customers and 350,000 patients across 14 countries, we offer a comprehensive range of gas-based solutions tailored to sectors including healthcare, food, electronics, manufacturing, chemicals, electronics, and energy among many others.
The Internal Audit Director is a senior leadership role responsible for defining, leading, and continuously evolving the Internal Audit function across Nippon Sanso Europe. Based at the European headquarters in Madrid, this position plays a critical role in strengthening governance, risk management, internal control, and regulatory compliance across a complex, multinational organization.
The Director reports functionally to the NSHD Corporate Internal Audit function and works closely with the European President and senior leadership team, with administrative reporting to the CFO. The role leads and develops a specialized European audit team and coordinates extensively with external auditors and key stakeholders across Europe and Japan.
Key responsibilities:
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Define and execute a risk‑based Internal Audit strategy and annual plan aligned with European priorities and NSHD group requirements.
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Lead the JSOX / internal control framework across Europe, including design, testing, remediation, ITGCs, and year‑end reporting across multiple systems and countries.
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Provide independent assurance and advisory support to senior management on governance, risk management, internal controls, and process effectiveness.
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Plan and deliver operational, compliance, IT, and thematic audits, identifying control gaps, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities.
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Oversee enterprise risk assessment and monitoring, identifying emerging risks and escalating insights to Executive Management.
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Act as the primary European liaison with Corporate Internal Audit and external auditors, ensuring timely, consistent, and high‑quality reporting.
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Support process transformation, standardization, and digital enablement initiatives, promoting efficient and scalable control environments.
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Coordinate with Finance, IT, Legal, Compliance, and Operations on regulatory, governance, and control‑related matters.
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Lead, develop, and coach a high‑performing European Internal Audit team, ensuring effective prioritization, resource allocation, and capability building.
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Support and, where required, lead internal investigations and special assignments related to financial reporting, controls, or compliance.
Job requirements
Background:
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At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of public accounting, auditing, internal control compliance, or similar.
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Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
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Fluent English. Other European language would be a plus.
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Proven experience in multinational organizations and complex, matrix environments.
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Strong knowledge of IFRS, SOX/JSOX, COSO internal control framework, and international auditing standards.
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Proven knowledge of corporate governance framework as well as regulatory and compliance requirements.
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Solid understanding of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management practices.
Required Skills:
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Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
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Strong analytical mindset with a pragmatic, solution‑oriented approach.
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Proven leadership capability in managing teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
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Relevant professional accounting or audit qualifications such as IIA, CIA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, CPA.
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Background in industrial, chemical, energy, or similarly regulated sectors would be a plus.
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Exposure to digital transformation, data analytics, or process optimization initiatives.
Others:
Regular travel across Europe is required (30%)
Why join Nippon Sanso?
At Nippon Sanso, we’re a reliable partner for key industries, combining global expertise with a local touch to make a real difference. Guided by our commitment to sustainability, we drive innovation through cutting-edge technology and a strong R&D network. Here, you’ll have the autonomy to own your career, with the chance to work on projects that impact communities and shape a carbon-neutral future.
Discover a place where you’ll play a key role in solutions that power major industries and make a difference in everyday life. At Nippon Sanso, our technologies support countless essential processes — often behind the scenes — that keep food fresh, enhance electronic chip production, purify water, and provide critical respiratory treatments. With a solid, diversified presence across Europe, we’re a reliable and stable company dedicated to constant innovation and to creating a healthier, more sustainable future.
What we offer:
Remuneration and Benefits : We offer a range of bonuses, long-term incentives, competitive salaries, which we review each year to remain competitive in the market. In addition, we have a wide range of benefits as a company, you can choose what suits you best: childcare, transport card, pension plan, sports package, health insurance, etc.-
Worklife balance : We have 29 days off a year! Plus, the 24th and 31st of December.
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Flexible schedule : You'll have the freedom to adjust your work hours to accommodate your personal needs and responsibilities.
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Home Office Policy : With our hybrid work plan, you can enjoy working from the comfort of your home.
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Diversity and inclusion : Be part of an inclusive, diverse culture, where everyone’s contribution is respected. A place where individual talent is recognised and nurtured.
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Sustainability : We enable a carbon neutral world. Nippon Gases spearheads the efforts to achieving zero CO2 emissions by helping industries in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
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Safety first : We create a safe environment where our employees can thrive. In the past two decades, we have been honored 17 times as the safest company in Europe by the Industrial Gases Association (EIGA).
