Laila M. Alhersh
YANBU,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in internal audit, governance, risk management, and internal control. Demonstrates proficiency in risk-based audit planning and institutional excellence, driving performance management through effective KPIs. Skilled in administrative development and the formulation of policies, procedures, and methodologies. Proven track record in committee leadership and coordination, complemented by a strong ability to deliver impactful training and workshops. Committed to advancing organisational success through strategic initiatives and continuous improvement.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Internal Audit Manager
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
Yanbu
2024.09 - 2026.06
- Serve as the Internal Audit Manager and primary internal audit focal point at Yanbu Governorate, under the functional oversight of the Internal Audit Department at the Emirate level.
- Drafted the Internal Audit Charter and created the Internal Audit Policies Manual from scratch, supporting the governance foundation of the Internal Audit function.
- Enhanced internal audit templates, working papers, reporting formats, and follow-up documentation to promote more structured and consistent audit practices.
- Prepared key internal audit deliverables, including the 2025 and 2026 annual audit plans and the annual internal audit report.
- Contributed to the development of internal audit methodologies, procedures, work programs, and audit universe activities in coordination with the Emirate’s Internal Audit leadership.
- Supported the gradual alignment of internal audit practices with the Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS 2024), including documentation, methodology development, and awareness-related activities.
- Supported audit follow-up activities by coordinating with relevant stakeholders, tracking observations, and contributing to corrective action monitoring.
Director of Institutional Excellence
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
Yanbu
2021.08 - 2024.09
- Supported institutional excellence, governance enhancement, performance improvement, and administrative development activities within Yanbu Governorate.
- Conducted gap assessments and prepared improvement proposals to strengthen governance practices, administrative effectiveness, and institutional performance.
- Applied institutional excellence and quality management concepts, including EFQM and ISO 9001-related principles, to support assessment, improvement, and process development activities.
- Contributed to the development and improvement of work methodologies, administrative procedures, work models, and supporting documentation.
- Assisted internal departments in preparing and improving procedure manuals, workflow documentation, and process-related records.
- Coordinated with internal departments and Emirate-level stakeholders to support institutional assessment requirements, follow up on improvement actions, and enhance the quality of submitted evidence and documentation.
Head of Planning and Organizational Development Unit
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
Yanbu
2019.12 - 2021.08
- Supported planning and organizational development activities within Yanbu Governorate, with a focus on improving administrative effectiveness, work practices, and internal coordination.
- Promoted the need for structured planning and contributed to planning-related activities, follow-up, and administrative improvement proposals.
- Conducted gap assessments, reviewed departmental responsibilities and work practices, and prepared recommendations to address administrative and operational deficiencies.
- Assisted departments in reviewing and improving work procedures, workflow documentation, forms, and internal administrative processes.
- Coordinated training partnerships with external training providers and supported the delivery of training programs to enhance employees’ professional and administrative skills.
- Contributed to the digitization of administrative work by converting several paper-based forms and work models into electronic formats.
- Served as Secretary of the Leadership Committee, including preparing meeting documentation, coordinating agendas, following up on recommendations, and supporting committee-related administrative tasks.
Assistant Director of Performance Management for University Branches
Taibah University
Yanbu
2018.02 - 2019.11
- Established and operationalized the Performance Management function for Taibah University branches, supporting the implementation of performance management practices and related requirements.
- Promoted performance culture across university branches through awareness activities, guidance sessions, and training programs related to performance management and performance charters.
- Delivered more than five training workshops on job performance management, SMART objectives, performance objectives, and performance charter preparation, in line with updated civil service performance requirements.
- Assisted department managers in preparing employee performance charters, including reviewing, validating, correcting, and improving performance objectives and indicators.
- Monitored the completion and quality of performance charters and prepared follow-up reports to support compliance, consistency, and continuous improvement.
- Identified performance-related gaps and improvement opportunities, and provided recommendations to enhance planning, follow-up, and performance monitoring practices.
Director of Administration, College of Computer Science and Engineering
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
Yanbu
2013.01 - 2018.10
- Served as the first assigned Director of Administration for the College of Computer Science and Engineering at Taibah University – Yanbu Branch, establishing the college’s administrative function from the ground up.
- Built and structured administrative work practices for the college, including internal coordination, documentation, workflow organization, administrative communication, and operational support services.
- Managed the college’s administrative operations and coordinated with academic departments, faculty members, administrative staff, and branch leadership to support effective service delivery.
- Served additionally as Deputy Director of Taibah University – Yanbu Branch, supporting branch-level administrative coordination, follow-up, communication, and operational support activities.
- Supported planning, reporting, and institutional documentation activities, including contributions to annual reports, strategic planning requirements, and committee-related documentation.
- Participated in college and branch-level committees related to student affairs, examinations, student rights, disciplinary matters, facilities, and official events.
- Contributed to improving administrative procedures, work models, internal coordination mechanisms, and documentation practices within the college and branch.
- Additional Leadership Assignment: Deputy Director of Taibah University – Yanbu Branch | Oct 2015 – Oct 2016
Founding Head of Public Relations, Media, Training and E-Services Unit
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
Yanbu
2011.01 - 2013.01
- Established the Public Relations and Media function at Taibah University – Yanbu Branch, contributing to the development of structured communication, media, and event coordination practices.
- Prepared and issued the first branch-level media publications and communication materials to support internal and external visibility of branch activities.
- Managed public relations, media coordination, event support, and communication activities in coordination with branch leadership and relevant departments.
- Served as a trainer for faculty members on e-learning systems, supporting the adoption of digital learning platforms and electronic service tools.
- Contributed to spreading e-learning awareness and improving the use of electronic services through training, guidance, and user support activities.
- Coordinated training activities and supported the organization of workshops, awareness programs, and official branch events.
Earlier Administrative and Computer-Based Academic Services Roles
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
Yanbu
2006.01 - 2011.01
- Held several early administrative and operational roles, including Head of Faculty and Staff Affairs Unit, Head of Student Affairs Unit, and Computer Center Officer for distance/affiliated students’ results processing.
- Established and managed the Computer Center process for preparing students’ results, supporting a major shift from paper-based result preparation to electronic processing.
- Converted grade sheets and result-related records into structured Excel-based formats, reducing manual effort, improving data organization and accuracy, and accelerating the preparation and release of students’ results.
- Managed and coordinated administrative services related to faculty members, staff, and student affairs, ensuring proper documentation, communication, and follow-up.
- Supported the implementation of university policies, procedures, and administrative requirements across faculty, staff, student affairs, and academic support functions.
- Participated in committees and administrative activities related to student services, examinations, admissions, events, and internal coordination.
Education
Executive Master’s Degree - Internal Audit
King Abdulaziz University
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
University of Jordan
Skills
- Internal Audit
- Governance, Risk Management, Internal Control
- Risk-Based Audit Planning
- Institutional Excellence
- Performance Management and KPIs
- Administrative Development
- Policies, Procedures, and Methodologies
- Committee Leadership and Coordination
- Training and Workshop Delivery
Certification
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) | The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Certified KPI Professional | The KPI Institute
- ISO 9001:2015 QMS Lead Auditor | CQI and IRCA Certified Training
- EFQM Internal Assessor | EFQM
- BPTrends Process Specialist (BPT-PS) | BPTrends Associates
- Certified Internal Assessor – King Abdulaziz Quality Award Excellence Model | King Abdulaziz Quality Award (KAQA)
Affiliations
- Member, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Member, Saudi Internal Auditors Association
- Member, Saudi Management Association
- Member, Taibah Cooperative Society
Committee Leadership & Professional Memberships
- Committee Leadership & Advisory Assignments
- Chair, Public Services Advisory Committee
- Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
- Jan 2025 – Present
- Chair an advisory committee focused on reviewing public service-related matters and providing objective, evidence-based recommendations to support service improvement within Yanbu Governorate.
- Coordinate committee discussions, review stakeholder inputs, and follow up on recommendations and related action items.
- Chair, Women’s Affairs Advisory Committee
- Jan 2020 – Sep 2024
- Chaired an advisory committee concerned with women’s affairs and related community and institutional matters within Yanbu Governorate.
- Supported stakeholder coordination and the development of recommendations related to women’s affairs and advisory initiatives.
Timeline
Internal Audit Manager
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
2024.09 - 2026.06
Director of Institutional Excellence
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
2021.08 - 2024.09
Head of Planning and Organizational Development Unit
Yanbu Governorate, Emirate of Madinah Province
2019.12 - 2021.08
Assistant Director of Performance Management for University Branches
Taibah University
2018.02 - 2019.11
Director of Administration, College of Computer Science and Engineering
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
2013.01 - 2018.10
Founding Head of Public Relations, Media, Training and E-Services Unit
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
2011.01 - 2013.01
Earlier Administrative and Computer-Based Academic Services Roles
Taibah University – Yanbu Branch
2006.01 - 2011.01
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Administration
University of Jordan
Executive Master’s Degree - Internal Audit
King Abdulaziz University