CHIEF INTERNAL AUDITOR

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

About The Position

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Chief Internal Auditor to lead HFS’s comprehensive internal audit program. This executive role provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services that strengthen operations, enhance accountability, and support the agency in achieving its mission. The Chief Internal Auditor develops and implements the agency’s Annual Audit Plan, establishes internal auditing policies and standards, and applies a disciplined approach to evaluating risk management, internal controls, and governance processes. The successful candidate for this role will serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior leadership and act as the agency spokesperson on internal audit matters with the Governor’s Office, the Illinois General Assembly, the Auditor General, and other oversight bodies. This leader will guide and mentor professional audit staff, set priorities aligned with agency objectives, and ensure the integrity, transparency, and effectiveness of audit activities. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional who can navigate sensitive and complex audit issues, provide clear and actionable recommendations, manage resources and budgets efficiently, and champion a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and proactive risk management across the agency through innovative audit methodologies. HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college preferably with courses in auditing, business or public administration
Requires certification as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor with at least four (4) years of progressively responsible professional auditing experience, or as an Auditor with at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional auditing experience
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of professional experience developing, directing, and implementing a comprehensive internal audit program for a large public or private organization
Five (5) years of professional experience interpreting statutes, rules, regulations, and procedures relating to and/or affecting audit policy
Five (5) years of professional experience communicating with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure detailed and critical analysis of work performed
Three (3) years of professional experience establishing internal auditing policies, standards, and procedures to support a proactive risk management control, accountability, economy and efficiency, and improving governance and business processes
Five (5) years of professional experience developing correspondence to support recommendations relative to audit findings
Five (5) years of professional experience analyzing reports, and meeting short reporting deadlines
Two (2) years of professional experience providing testimony before legislative committees

Responsibilities

Subject to administrative approval of the Director of Healthcare & Family Services, serves as Chief Internal Auditor for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) by developing, directing, and implementing a comprehensive agency wide internal audit program
Serves as official Agency spokesperson on behalf of the Director and the Agency to all internal and external entities including, the Governor’s Office, the legislature, and the Office of Management and Budget
Serves as a full line supervisor
Determines the scope of audits to be conducted in response to operational changes or new knowledge
Maintains accurate objective, clear, concise, constructive, and timely communications with management
Applies professional audit standards to ensure standards of internal audits are consistent with current standards of the profession
Assesses the training needs of staff to accomplish the Agency goals and to ensure compliance with Certified Professional Development requirements
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Benefits

Monday-Friday work schedule
Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
Pension Plan
Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
(13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)