Associate Vice President for Internal Audit

Gonzaga•Spokane, WA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice President for Internal Audit directs the university’s internal audit function, reviewing operational, system, and other processes for compliance with established standards and controls and supporting institutional integrity and compliance. The role connects policy, people, and practice, and communicates complex concepts clearly. It maintains dual reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources and the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board of Trustees. The position develops an internal audit strategy aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and the expectations of the Board, senior management, and other stakeholders. It oversees audit policies and procedures, governance reporting, performance measures, investigations, and audit and advisory engagements. The role leads managers, audit teams, and cross-functional resources and coordinates with internal and external assurance providers. This is a regular full-time, exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, during fixed daytime hours. The position is based in an office and requires on-site presence five days per week, with occasional telework available. The budgeted salary range is $145,000–$180,000. Relocation reimbursement is available; a signing bonus is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent professional experience in lieu of the education requirement at a ratio of one year of experience for each required year of education.
At least 8 years of related experience.
CPA, CIA, or JD certification/licensure.
Deep knowledge of internal auditing standards and practices, including the IIA International Professional Practices Framework and related ethics requirements.
Strong understanding of risk management, governance, and internal control frameworks.
Knowledge of financial reporting and operational processes, compliance obligations, and fraud risk management.
Knowledge of audit planning methodologies, risk assessments, control design evaluation, testing strategies, and issue remediation tracking.
Management-level understanding of data analytics, continuous auditing and monitoring concepts, and technology risks, including cybersecurity, access management, and IT general controls.
Familiarity with regulatory and industry requirements applicable to higher education.
Knowledge of audit governance and executive reporting expectations, including escalation protocols and governance communication practices.
Leadership and people-management ability, including leading managers, audit teams, and cross-functional resources and coaching, developing, and evaluating staff.
Ability to make risk-based decisions under uncertainty and adapt plans quickly as conditions change.
Stakeholder-management ability with executives, business leaders, and legal and compliance partners.
Executive communication skills.
Analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Issue-resolution and negotiation skills.
Project-management skills.
Ability to work on-site in a typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings five days per week.
Ability to remain stationary for prolonged periods; this is required daily for more than 75% of the time.
Ability to walk to accomplish tasks; walking is often required for 50%–75% of the time.
Ability to lift or carry objects up to the specified weight; this is rarely required for 1%–49% of the time.
Ability to focus on detailed tasks and solve problems; both are required daily for more than 75% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading operational audit, compliance audit, or investigative programs.
Experience implementing audit management systems, analytics platforms, or continuous auditing programs.
Advanced operational and analytical knowledge of data analytics tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI, or Tableau.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an internal audit strategy that supports organizational strategic objectives and aligns with Board, senior management, and stakeholder expectations.
Report periodically to the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the President on internal audit activities and performance relative to the Audit Plan, including audits added, completed, and canceled during the fiscal year.
Establish internal audit policies and procedures in compliance with the Audit Manual, IIA Standards, and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Coordinate with internal and external providers of assurance and advisory services to ensure appropriate coverage and minimize duplicated effort.
Develop criteria for communicating audit engagement results and oversee follow-up processes to monitor whether management actions have been effectively implemented.
Establish key performance indicators for the internal audit activity and report results to senior leaders, the President, and the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Conduct or assist with investigations of suspected fraudulent activities.
Perform individual audit, investigative, or advisory engagements and prepare reports and memorandums summarizing and communicating results.
Establish audit plans and objectives to use staff time effectively.
Coordinate internal auditing activities with external parties.
Lead managers, audit teams, and cross-functional resources; coach, develop, and evaluate staff performance.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the department.