Director of Internal Audit

Summary

To ensure unbiased assessments, the internal audit function operates independently of management.  The Director of Internal Audit reports to the President/CEO and informs the Audit Committee. The Director of Internal Audit will lead the internal audit function, ensuring the effectiveness of the organization’s governance, risk management, and internal controls. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of auditing principles, risk management practices, accounting, internal controls, technology processes, and the ability to communicate effectively with senior executives and the audit committee.

The Director of Internal Audit must be highly organized with exceptional problem-solving skills, and must be a critical and independent thinker with a keen interest in improving NIA’s internal control structure to identify improvements related to accuracy, efficiency, reliability, compliance, and quality of the process and the resulting products and services.  

About NIA

NIA is a mission-driven organization that has been a pioneer in creating alternative business models to solve society’s toughest problems. 27,000 nonprofit organizations in 32 states and the District of Columbia rely on us for insurance and risk management. NIA is comprised of four 501(c)(3) organizations:

• Nonprofits Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC) was founded in 1988 to provide liability and property insurance to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California. 
• Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group (ANI) was founded in 2000 to provide liability insurance to 501(c)(3) nonprofits with locations outside California.
• National Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance (NANI) was founded in 2000 to provide property reinsurance. 
• Alliance Member Services (AMS) was founded in 2000 to provide staff, services and support to the other three cooperatives.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and enhance the internal audit charter to ensure it meets industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Under the priority setting of the CEO, develop and implement an internal audit plan and strategy aligned with organizational goals and risk appetite. 
• Evaluate the company’s risks and the efficacy of its internal controls and risk management processes.
• Assess compliance with policies and procedures and sound business practices.
• Challenge current processes across the company and identify opportunities for refinement.
• Discuss regulatory and legal matters with management and audit committee, as appropriate 
• Engage with and discuss regulatory and legal matters with General Counsel and CEO of suspected noncompliance with regulation or law. .
• Evaluate internal controls that safeguard company assets and make recommendations to management on how to improve.
• Assess business processes within organizations to identify improvements related to the accuracy, efficiency, reliability, and quality of the process and the resulting products and services. Investigate any issues found.
• Promote ethics and help identify improper conduct.
• Assure safeguards are in place to protect the organization’s resources.
• Investigate suspected fraud.
• Provide clear and insightful reports to the CEO and the Audit Committee, highlighting audit findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Attend audit committees and meet in executive session with the audit committee as requested and engage in open and honest communications with committee members.
• Engage remediation of identified issues through follow-up
• Provide opinions on the overall results of internal audits.
• Foster strong relationships with executive leadership and the audit committee to promote transparency and accountability.
• Other special projects as requested by the CEO.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of internal audit standards, risk assessment methodologies, and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong problem-solving skills and tenacity to follow through methodically and with a curious mind. 

• Strong understanding of role of company operations, including the essential role  IT systems and processes and procedures drive and enhance internal controls.

• Strong critical thinking analytical skills.
• Ability to follow concerns and investigate problems without regard to seniority of staff involved.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear and conclusive narrative reports.
• Ability to navigate through ambiguous conditions.
• Ability to deliver honest and thorough assessments to senior executives without regard to personal or professional relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills. 
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Outlook & Word, proficient in Excel.
• Comfortable with fast paced activity and ability to prioritize to meet deliverable dates.
• This is a desk position.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, bend, reach, or sit for up to 3 hours at a time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20-30 pounds.
• Must have adequate vision (with corrective lenses if needed) to clearly view computer screen  
• Must have adequate hearing to perform job tasks
• Strong attention to detail

Experience

• 10 years of experience in internal audit, risk management, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Education 

•  Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent years of relevant experience

 Advance degrees/certifications a plus.

Compensation: The annual base salary range provided for this position is a nationwide market range and represents a broad range of salaries for this role across the country. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the location, skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. As part of our comprehensive compensation and benefits program, employees are also eligible for additional incentive compensation upon achievement of individual and company goals.