Senior Manager, Internal Audit

Waste Management (WM), a Fortune 250 company, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. We are strongly committed to a foundation of operating excellence, professionalism and financial strength. WM serves nearly 25 million customers in residential, commercial, industrial and municipal markets throughout North America through a network of collection operations, transfer stations, landfills, recycling facilities and waste-based energy production projects.

I. Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Internal Audit oversees and directs a broad spectrum of financial, operational, and compliance audits across WM. This leader plays a pivotal role in driving the department's strategic initiatives with a focus on continuous improvement, cost reduction, and strengthening the organization’s control environment. The position requires taking charge of large, integrated audits and actively building cross-departmental partnerships to advance company-wide initiatives and ensure alignment with organizational objectives.  A key responsibility is to proactively identify emerging risks and implement innovative audit methodologies to enhance the overall audit process and safeguard company assets. WM is a People-First organization, and the ideal candidate will continue the professional development and continuous improvement mindset that has been the foundation of the Internal Audit and Controls team. Further, this role is integral in steering projects and team effort in accordance with WM’s strategic direction and the vision of the Internal Audit and Controls team.  This position reports to the Director, Internal Audit, and collaborates with process owners at varying levels throughout the Company.

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned. 

• Manage staff on a day-to-day basis while engaging as a leader and coach, providing constructive feedback and a positive influence to promote employee engagement and professional development. 
• Oversee projects that review financial and operational processes, including the functionality of workflow, data sources, controls, efficiency opportunities, performance metrics, user roles, and alignment with strategy.
• Clearly articulate and communicate audit observations to varying levels of management, either written or orally.
• Provide guidance to the audit forensic team during investigations and reviews, ensuring that all activities are conducted with integrity, thoroughness, and in alignment with internal audit standards. Effectively communicate investigation outcomes to relevant stakeholders, maintaining transparency and contributing to the overall enhancement of the organization’s control environment.
• Lead high visibility projects or management requests either solely or with the support of a team.
• Effectively communicate and interact with varying levels of management within audited areas to ensure professional and quality-driven execution of the audit work.
• Guide the team in conducting root cause analysis, providing value-added insights to the business, and going beyond compliance auditing to drive business value. 
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of company operations and strategy, ensuring audit activities support organizational objectives. When requested, assist management in developing and implementing identified opportunities.
• Demonstrate expertise in internal audit standards and practices, consistently upholding the expectations of the profession.
• Coordinate audit schedules and resources efficiently, collaborating with fellow managers to meet departmental commitments and optimize team productivity.
• Prepare professionally written, accurate and timely reports for presentation to varying levels of management, from functional groups up to Audit Committee. 
• Support audit leadership in performing audit risk assessments, contributing to the development of a dynamic, risk-based audit plan responsive to evolving business and regulatory conditions.
• Champion cost-effective audit and compliance processes by identifying and implementing improvements to audit methodology and administrative processes, leveraging automation and data analytics to drive efficiency and continuous enhancement.
• Manage cross-functional audit team, including indirect reports, in auditing activities to assess operational efficiency and effectiveness, identify cost-saving opportunities, and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements across various business units.
• Provide risk consultation and/or advisory services to the enterprise, as warranted.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities
The individual performs the following:

• Manages the day-to-day activities of the staff, reviewing work progress and ensuring effective risk coverage.
• Serves in a leadership role ensuring appropriate scope of work (comprehensiveness) and consistent execution and reporting.
• Provides timely and constructive feedback, coaching and training to staff working under their direct or indirect supervision.
• Conducts formal and informal performance reviews regarding meeting departmental goals and expectations while incorporating constant employee development. 

• Direct supervision of three or more full-time employees. 

IV. Qualifications

A. Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Business Management, Business Administration, Finance/Accounting, Computer Science, Engineering, or similar area of study, with ten or more years of applicable Audit / SOX management or equivalent management experience.
• Optional: Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in areas as noted above or similar area of study, with ten or more years of previous experience.

B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements

• CIA, CFE or CPA preferred.

C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required

• Must be local in the Houston area; no relocation provided for this role.
• Must be authorized to work in the US.
• Travel up to 10% may be required. 
• Building Strategic Partnerships: Possess the ability to maintain partnerships and positive working relations with various levels of management in and outside of Internal Audit.
• Risk Management: Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of audit and risk management methodologies gained from practical experience with assessing, documenting, validating, designing, implementing, and monitoring business processes and internal controls, blending operational, financial, IT and regulatory expertise. 
• Influential: Capable of establishing trust and influencing senior management regarding sensitive and complex matters through consultative skills, sound judgment, independent thought, and a proactive approach to service.
• Analytical: Possess strong analytical skills, including the ability to think outside existing risk management practices/models and demonstrate foresight about potential issues, misalignment, and opportunities. 
• Success with Integrity: Exemplifies a high standard of integrity and ethical conduct, serving as a role model for business ethics throughout the organization.
• Technical Proficiency: Possess a strong level of technical knowledge relative to their specialty area of focus (financial, operational, IT, etc.).
• Business Acumen: Demonstrate the ability to relate business processes and strategy into the scope of audits and projects managed.
• Agility: Demonstrate the ability to learn from cumulative audit knowledge and apply that knowledge to enact or recommend enhancements and/or efficiencies in prospective audits or reviews. 
• Continuous Improvement: Champion ongoing improvement initiatives within the department, promoting excellence and innovation.

• Collaborative: Actively contributes to a positive team environment, builds strong relationships with colleagues, and consistently demonstrates professionalism and strong interpersonal skills 

   

Normal setting for this job is office setting.

Benefits
At Waste Management, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days.