The Director of Internal Audit is responsible for leading the internal audit function at Vanderbilt University (VU) and will work collaboratively as part of a co-sourced model. The Director role is an integral part of the university’s collaborative effort to enhance internal audit capabilities and provide valuable insights to the institution.
Reporting functionally to the Chair of the Audit Committee of the VU Board of Trust and administratively to the Senior Director of Risk and Insurance Management within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Director of Internal Audit will serve as the institution’s Chief Audit Executive (CAE).

The Director of Internal Audit plays a pivotal role in overseeing the strategic direction, coordination, and execution of all internal audit activities. The Director leads the development and execution of the annual audit plan, ensures delivery of high-quality work products from audit team members, and supervises the co-sourced audit firm engaged to provide audit services. The Director is also responsible for delivering triannual updates to the Audit Committee regarding the progress of the approved annual audit plan.

The internal audit function serves the university by providing independent assessments of governance, risk, and control activities. The team works collaboratively within the larger OGC function to provide value added services to identify risks, propose mitigation strategies, and promote a robust internal control environment. The team works together to align all activities with the university’s strategic objectives and provide the highest quality of service, expertise, and objectivity to VU stakeholders.
The internal audit team at Vanderbilt operates through a co-sourced model. The co-sourced internal audit team is part of the OGC which provides timely and responsive legal advice to support VU’s goals in research and education, delivered with integrity, intelligence, and empathy.

This is a hybrid position and is expected to be on campus a minimum of three days per week.

Cover letter and resume must be submitted to be considered.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership for the co-sourced internal audit function, aligning audit activities with the institution's goals and objectives.
• Develop and implement a vision for the co-sourced model, emphasizing collaboration, efficiency, and value-added contributions.

Coordinated Audit Planning, Execution, and Oversight:

• Leads the annual audit planning process.
• Oversee day-to-day management of internal audit plan – remove roadblocks, facilitate escalations, provide higher education and Vanderbilt subject matter expertise, and ensure positive relationships with audit clients.
• Escalate any audit quality concerns of external team to VU and firm leadership. Direct highly confidential and sensitive reviews.
• Oversee audit follow up process to ensure remediation of outstanding audit items.

Risk Management and Mitigation:

• Oversee and help drive the annual risk assessment process.
• Ensure the co-sourced model enhances the institution's ability to manage and respond to emerging risks.
• Support the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program through collaboration and insight on current and emerging risks.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Build strong relationships with university management, co-sourced partners, and other
• key stakeholders.
• Facilitate open communication channels to address concerns, gather insights, and promote a collaborative audit environment.
• Represent the internal audit team on assigned university-wide committees. Provide consulting services to university partners, as requested.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to ensure the highest standards of internal audit practices.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with IIA standards and internal policies and procedures. 

Reporting and Communication:

• Present status of approved internal audit plan, audit results, and other significant updates
• to Audit Committee on a triannual basis (more frequently, as needed).
• Oversee the preparation of comprehensive audit reports, ensuring clear communication of scope, findings, recommendations, and risk assessments.
• Present audit results to executive leadership, governing bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement Initiatives:

• Drive initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the co-sourced internal audit model.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing both within the internal audit team and with external stakeholders.

Talent Development:

• Develop and mentor internal audit staff, fostering a culture of learning and professional growth.
• Encourage collaboration and knowledge transfer between internal and external audit teams.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility, as well as indirect supervisory coordination responsibility for an external team. This position reports administratively to the Senior Director of Risk and Insurance Management and functionally to the Chair of the Audit Committee of VU’s Board of Trust.

Qualifications

• A bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or similar field, is required. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree or Higher Education Administration degree is preferred. 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) license is required.
• Minimum of ten years of audit experience in a complex organization is required.
• Higher education experience is required.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience of professional staff is required.
• Thorough understanding of financial, operational, and compliance risks related to business processes and the ability to analyze such processes to identify significant issues, associated risks and value-added controls is required.
• Knowledge of the IIA professional practices framework is necessary. Experience leading Quality Assurance Reviews is preferred.
• Working knowledge of internal control conceptual frameworks, such as COSO or COBIT, is preferred.

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