Chief Auditor

Eastern Bank•Boston, MA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Auditor serves as the principal advisor to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, working closely with the Audit Committee Chair and reporting regularly to the Committee on audit plan status, audit results, management remediation efforts, and emerging audit risks. This role maintains a dotted-line relationship with the Executive Chair, ensuring alignment on key risk themes, governance matters, and institutional priorities while preserving internal audit independence. The Chief Auditor keeps the Audit Committee informed of material issues affecting financial reporting integrity, regulatory compliance, and internal controls. This position develops and directs the execution of a risk-based, enterprise-wide audit plan, encompassing operational, financial, compliance, technology, and strategic risks across the Bank and its subsidiaries. It prioritizes audit objectives in response to changes in organizational goals, emerging risk, and the regulatory landscape. The role ensures appropriate audit coverage for Wealth Management activities, including fiduciary services, investment management, advisory platforms, and related regulatory obligations. It oversees audit methodology, scope, and reporting in accordance with IIA Standards, COSO internal control framework, and public-company governance expectations. The Chief Auditor directs the Information Technology internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing relationships, participates in annual IT audit planning, reviews engagement letters, monitors performance and cost, and attends entrance and exit meetings. It ensures appropriate controls related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology risks relevant to a public bank. The role drives innovation and continuous improvement of the audit function through adoption of advanced audit techniques, including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous auditing methodologies. The Chief Auditor works closely with external auditors to maximize reliance on internal audit work and promote efficient, cost-effective audit coverage. It acts as a key liaison for regulatory examinations, including coordination with federal and state banking regulators and managing responses to examination findings. This role leads, develops, and mentors internal audit staff by establishing hiring, training, and professional development standards. It sets performance expectations, conducts evaluations, and provides coaching to build a high-performing audit team with strong public-company and financial services expertise. The Chief Auditor works closely with other executives including the General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Chief People Officer on ethics and code of conduct issues as part of the Ethics Incident Response Team. It participates in internal committees and working groups, as appropriate, and builds and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with executive management, business unit leaders, and heads of other second line functions (e.g., Chief Risk Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, etc.). The incumbent has authority over audit planning, methodology, scope, and report content to ensure independence and objectivity. Staffing levels and departmental budget are reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. More routine audit issues are typically resolved at the Audit Manager level, while complex, high-risk, or enterprise-impacting matters are escalated to the Chief Auditor. Decisions made in this role directly influence the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control environment, the Audit Committee’s oversight responsibilities, regulatory standing, financial reporting quality, and overall safety and soundness of a public banking institution.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline
Minimum of 15 years of progressive audit experience, including public accounting and/or internal audit within financial services or banking, preferably in a public-company environment
CPA, CIA, MBA, or other relevant professional certification required
In-depth knowledge of: Accounting and internal control frameworks (COSO)
IIA Standards and professional audit practices
Banking laws, regulations, and expectations applicable to public financial institutions
Powerpoint, Excel and Artificial Intelligence Tool use required
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with Board members and senior executives
Demonstrated leadership capability with a track record of building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and audit analytics, including computer-assisted audit techniques
Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of audit, regulatory, and industry best practices as well as the use of technology tools to drive internal audit efficiencies.

Responsibilities

Serves as the principal advisor to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, working closely with the Audit Committee Chair and reporting regularly to the Committee on audit plan status, audit results, management remediation efforts, and emerging audit risks.
Maintains a dotted-line relationship with the Executive Chair, ensuring alignment on key risk themes, governance matters, and institutional priorities while preserving internal audit independence.
Keeps the Audit Committee informed of material issues affecting financial reporting integrity, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.
Develops and directs the execution of a risk-based, enterprise-wide audit plan, encompassing operational, financial, compliance, technology, and strategic risks across the Bank and its subsidiaries.
Prioritizes audit objectives in response to changes in organizational goals, emerging risk and the regulatory landscape.
Ensures appropriate audit coverage for Wealth Management activities, including fiduciary services, investment management, advisory platforms, and related regulatory obligations.
Oversees audit methodology, scope, and reporting in accordance with IIA Standards, COSO internal control framework, and public-company governance expectations.
Directs the Information Technology internal audit outsourcing and co-sourcing relationships.
Participates in annual IT audit planning, reviews engagement letters, monitors performance and cost, and attends entrance and exit meetings.
Ensures appropriate controls related to cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology risks relevant to a public bank.
Drives innovation and continuous improvement of the audit function through adoption of advanced audit techniques, including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and continuous auditing methodologies.
Works closely with external auditors to maximize reliance on internal audit work and promote efficient, cost-effective audit coverage.
Acts as a key liaison for regulatory examinations, including coordination with federal and state banking regulators and managing responses to examination findings.
Leads, develops, and mentors internal audit staff by establishing hiring, training, and professional development standards.
Sets performance expectations, conducts evaluations, and provides coaching to build a high-performing audit team with strong public-company and financial services expertise.
Works closely with other executives including the General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Chief People Officer on ethics and code of conduct issues as part of Ethics Incident Response Team.
Participates in internal committees and working groups, as appropriate.
Builds and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with executive management, business unit leaders, and heads of other second line functions (e.g., Chief Risk Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, etc.).