Internal Audit Assistant Director - Data Analytics & AI

Internal Audit Assistant Director - Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence - Chicago, IL Decatur, IL or Erlanger, KY 

ADM's Internal Audit function is undergoing a strategic transformation — embedding advanced analytics and artificial intelligence at the core of how we deliver assurance, manage risk, and add value across the enterprise. To lead this transformation, we are seeking an Asst. Director, Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence based in Chicago, IL.
Reporting to the Chief Audit Executive, this Director will serve as the primary architect of ADM Internal Audit's AI and analytics strategy — responsible for agentizing the audit process, deploying intelligent automation, designing next-generation workflows, and building a data-fluent audit organization from the ground up. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role that sits at the intersection of audit, technology, and organizational transformation.
 AI Strategy & Audit Agentization

• Define and own the multi-year AI and analytics roadmap for Internal Audit, aligning it with ADM's broader enterprise data strategy.
• Lead the end-to-end deployment of AI agents across the audit lifecycle — risk assessment, scoping, fieldwork, testing, reporting, and issue follow-up.
• Identify and prioritize high-value opportunities to automate manual, repetitive audit procedures through intelligent agents and robotic process automation (RPA).
• Partner with ADM's enterprise AI, data engineering, and IT teams to access data assets and integrate audit tooling into the broader technology stack.
• Evaluate and implement best-in-class audit technology platforms, AI co-pilot tools, and large language model (LLM) applications relevant to internal audit.

Process Design & Innovation

• Re-engineer core audit processes to operate in an AI-augmented environment — redesigning workflows, control testing approaches, and documentation standards.
• Establish a continuous auditing and continuous monitoring (CA/CM) capability, enabling real-time risk signals and always-on audit coverage across critical processes.
• Develop and maintain a suite of reusable analytics tools, data models, and automated testing scripts that audit teams can deploy across engagements.
• Drive standardization of data ingestion, transformation, and analysis pipelines to ensure consistency, auditability, and scalability.

Talent Development & Upskilling

• Design and lead a structured analytics and AI upskilling program for the full Internal Audit team — spanning foundational data literacy through advanced AI fluency.
• Create a tiered competency framework aligned to roles (Staff Auditor through Assistant Director), with targeted learning paths, hands-on labs, and applied project experience.
• Embed analytics specialists alongside traditional audit teams on engagements, creating a "BIE-style" model where data capabilities are integrated into every project.
• Champion a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning; recognize and reward innovation by team members.
• Serve as the internal center of excellence for analytics and AI — coaching teams, fielding questions, and building institutional knowledge.

Assurance & Risk Coverage

• Lead and oversee data-driven audit engagements, applying advanced analytics to evaluate controls, detect anomalies, and surface insights not visible through traditional sampling.
• Incorporate AI-generated risk signals into the annual audit plan and dynamic risk assessment process; provide the CAE with data-backed perspective on emerging risks.
• Ensure appropriate governance, bias controls, and explainability standards are applied when AI outputs inform audit conclusions.
• Prepare and present executive-ready deliverables — translating complex analytical findings into clear narratives for the Audit Committee, CFO, and senior management.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Build trusted relationships with ADM's CFO, Controller, Chief Data Officer, and CIO organizations to align on data access, AI initiatives, and joint priorities.
• Represent Internal Audit in enterprise-wide AI governance forums; contribute to responsible AI policy and ethical use standards.
• Coordinate with external auditors on data analytics methodologies to ensure alignment and avoid duplication of effort.

REQUIREMENTS
Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• CPA, CIA, or CISA strongly preferred; data-related certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Databricks) a plus.

Experience

• 12 years of progressive experience across internal audit, external audit (Big 4), or data/analytics roles within a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated track record designing and deploying AI or advanced analytics solutions in an audit, risk, finance, or compliance context.
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to digital transformation or process automation initiatives.
• Prior people leadership experience with a passion for coaching, developing, and retaining talent.
• Experience in product ownership or familiarity/certification in agile methods and frameworks

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in analytics and data platforms: Python, SQL, Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of AI/ML frameworks and generative AI concepts (LLMs, prompt engineering, agentic architectures, RAG).
• Familiarity with cloud data environments (Azure, AWS, Snowflake, Databricks) and data governance principles.
• Experience with ERP systems and audit management platforms.
• Strong command of Microsoft 365 productivity suite including Power Automate, Copilot, and Excel.

Leadership & Communication

• Exceptional executive presence — able to communicate complex analytical and technical content to non-technical audiences including the Audit Committee and C-suite.
• Strategic thinker who can translate ambiguous organizational goals into executable roadmaps and measurable outcomes.
• Collaborative influencer skilled at building consensus across functions, geographies, and seniority levels.
• High degree of intellectual curiosity and comfort operating in rapidly evolving, ambiguous environments.