Director, Government Risk Consulting

RSM•Des Moines, IA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Government Risk Consulting serves as a trusted advisor to government and public sector clients, drawing on experience in internal audit, internal controls, risk management, compliance, and governance. The Director advises clients on emerging risks, regulatory requirements, operational challenges, and leading practices relevant to public sector organizations, and develops strong relationships with agency executives, finance and audit leaders, audit committees, oversight bodies, and other senior stakeholders. The role leads complex risk and internal audit engagements from planning through execution, overseeing scope, quality, deliverables, client communications, and engagement economics. It also leads and develops teams, contributes to practice-wide initiatives, and supports growth through client relationship development, proposals, pursuits, thought leadership, and industry participation. The Director models RSM’s core values and fosters a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, professional development, diverse perspectives, and high-quality client service. RSM describes most roles as following a hybrid workstyle, with team members aligned to an RSM office and coming together in person when it best supports clients, teams, development, or relationship-building. Some roles may be virtual or primarily on-site depending on role requirements, team priorities, and client needs. Travel may be required based on client and engagement needs. The role offers a competitive benefits and compensation package; the stated compensation range is $126,500–$254,700, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, business, finance, public administration, or a related discipline.
At least 8 years of relevant internal audit, internal controls, risk, compliance, or advisory experience.
At least 5 years of experience within public accounting or professional services.
Significant experience serving government or public sector organizations, with a strong understanding of their governance, risk, compliance, and operational environments.
Demonstrated experience leading complex internal audit, risk assessment, internal controls, compliance, and/or governance engagements.
Proven experience building senior-level client relationships and communicating with executives, audit committees, agency leadership, and other key stakeholders.
Demonstrated success supporting business development, proposals, pursuits, and market-facing activities in a professional services environment.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead multiple engagements and teams simultaneously while maintaining quality and client service.
Ability to travel based on client and engagement needs.

Nice To Haves

Relevant professional certification such as CPA, CIA, CISA, or another applicable risk or audit credential.

Responsibilities

Model the firm’s core values of respect, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and stewardship in interactions with clients and colleagues.
Lead and contribute to practice-wide government risk and public sector advisory initiatives, including recruiting, talent development, methodology, engagement economics, and industry leadership.
Foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovation, professional development, diverse perspectives, and high-quality client service.
Mentor and develop professionals at various levels, helping build future leaders within the government and public sector practice.
Serve as a trusted advisor to government and public sector clients on internal audit, internal controls, risk management, compliance, and governance.
Advise clients on emerging risks, regulatory requirements, operational challenges, and leading practices relevant to public sector organizations.
Develop relationships with agency executives, finance and audit leaders, audit committees, oversight bodies, and other senior stakeholders.
Lead complex risk and internal audit engagements from planning through execution, including scope, quality, deliverables, client communications, and engagement economics.
Review project deliverables and workpapers for alignment with engagement objectives, professional standards, contractual requirements, and firm quality expectations.
Understand clients’ missions, operating environments, and risk landscapes and provide practical, actionable recommendations.
Manage complex client relationships and issues, exercising judgment regarding escalation, risk, and engagement quality.
Lead, motivate, and mentor teams delivering government risk, internal audit, controls, and advisory engagements.
Recruit and develop professionals with expertise relevant to public sector client needs.
Provide coaching and candid feedback, aligning team members with opportunities that support their skills and career goals.
Manage engagement teams and assignments across multiple concurrent client projects.
Develop new relationships and use an existing network in the government and public sector market to support practice growth.
Identify and pursue opportunities with existing and prospective clients, including proposals, RFP responses, scoping, pricing, presentations, and pursuit strategy.
Maintain an active presence in relevant government, public sector, internal audit, and risk management associations and industry events.
Develop thought leadership and represent the firm at internal and external conferences, panels, and industry events.
Collaborate across risk, consulting, audit, technology, business development, and marketing teams to bring appropriate capabilities to clients.