Director, Business Assurance & Advisory

The Energy Authority Inc•Jacksonville, FL

About The Position

The Energy Authority (TEA), a public power-owned nonprofit corporation, is seeking a Director, Business Assurance & Advisory to build and lead its independent business assurance function. The role strengthens TEA's risk management, internal controls, compliance, governance, and operational effectiveness by providing objective insights that protect the organization, improve decision-making, and support long-term success. The Director works with executive leadership, business units, external assurance partners, and the Finance & Audit Committee to identify emerging risks, evaluate controls, and convert findings into meaningful improvements. The position develops a multi-year business assurance strategy and risk-based audit plan, coordinates assurance resources, reports significant findings and risks through appropriate governance channels, and provides advisory support to business units. The role must maintain the independence and objectivity of the business assurance function.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in business assurance, risk management, compliance, or a related field.
Experience developing and executing risk-based audit plans.
Experience communicating audit findings, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership or a board committee.
Active Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), or comparable professional certification.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Strong analytical, written communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
Sound independent judgment, discretion with confidential information, and ability to recognize potential conflicts and remain objective.
Ability to evaluate controls, identify root causes, understand interconnected business risks, communicate complex issues clearly, and influence outcomes while maintaining independent conclusions.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in a related field.
Experience in energy trading operations.
CIA designation.
Experience with data analytics, audit management, governance-risk-and-compliance (GRC), enterprise resource planning (ERP), or data visualization tools.
Experience coordinating multiple assurance providers and working across complex, cross-functional business environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a multi-year business assurance strategy and annual risk-based audit plan aligned with TEA's objectives, enterprise risks, and available resources.
Maintain an enterprise assurance map connecting corporate risks with assurance activities.
Participate in enterprise-wide risk assessments, adjust audit priorities as risks and business needs evolve, and monitor operational incidents and errors for trends.
Maintain business assurance policies, procedures, methodologies, and the assurance charter in alignment with applicable professional standards.
Safeguard the independence and objectivity of the business assurance function and promptly communicate actual or perceived impairments to the appropriate oversight group.
Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, financial and operational information, contractual and policy compliance, asset protection, and operational efficiency.
Coordinate Member auditors, third-party assurance providers, external consultants, and other resources to execute assurance reviews.
Partner with the Chief Risk Officer to align assurance activities with enterprise risk assessments, significant risks, governance practices, and internal control objectives.
Monitor and validate management's implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions.
Maintain appropriate access to TEA records, systems, property, and personnel needed for authorized audit activities.
Present the business assurance strategy, audit plan, resource needs, significant findings, emerging risks, and performance results to designated oversight groups.
Escalate significant risks and findings through appropriate governance channels and maintain direct, unrestricted access to the Functional Reporting Group, including executive sessions when appropriate.
Communicate complex issues clearly and objectively, translating findings into practical recommendations and actionable insights.
Build constructive relationships with leaders and employees while maintaining the independence needed to raise difficult issues.
Advise business units on significant initiatives, new systems, policies, processes, and control designs; help identify risks early and strengthen controls and processes.
Monitor changes in professional standards, technology, business risks, and applicable requirements to inform TEA's assurance approach.
Coordinate assurance activities with external auditors, compliance functions, and other providers to improve coverage and reduce duplication.
Maintain sensitive information and records with appropriate discretion and in accordance with applicable requirements.
Build a capable, credible, service-minded business assurance function; establish priorities, manage commitments, and ensure findings and recommendations are followed through to resolution.
Adapt assurance activities as organizational priorities and risk conditions change, and perform other duties as assigned provided they do not impair independence or objectivity.