Director, Internal Audit, Forensics

Estée Lauder Companies

About The Position

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty. Description The Forensics Director will lead and execute complex, high-risk forensic investigations across the Americas (North America and LATAM), with responsibility for selected investigations in EMEA, as needed. This role is investigation-heavy and hands-on, focused on bribery and corruption, asset misappropriation, and corruption-related fraud within a global retail and manufacturing environment. The Director serves as the company’s forensic investigations expert, managing matters from allegation intake through resolution, while partnering closely with Internal Audit, Legal, Finance, HR, and Compliance. Fluency in English and Spanish is required to conduct interviews, manage cross-border investigations, and communicate findings effectively.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
Professional certifications strongly preferred (CPA, CFE, CIA, or equivalent).
Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal) – required.
10+ years of forensic investigation, fraud, or corruption risk experience, with a strong emphasis on hands-on investigation leadership.
Deep knowledge of anti-bribery and corruption laws (FCPA, UK Bribery Act) and fraud schemes relevant to retail and manufacturing.
Proven experience leading cross-border investigations and managing external consultants and investigation budgets.
Expert-level investigative skills, including interviewing, evidence evaluation, and executive-level report writing.
Strong executive presence and ability to communicate complex issues to board-level audiences.
Excellent collaboration and relationship-management skills with Internal Audit, Legal, Finance, and HR.
High degree of discretion, independence, and professional judgment.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority investigations simultaneously.
Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience presenting to senior executives and board-level committees strongly preferred.
Retail and/or manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, manage, and oversee complex forensic investigations involving: Bribery and corruption, asset misappropriation and corruption-related and financial fraud schemes.
Drive investigations end-to-end, including scoping, evidence preservation, data analysis, interviews, root-cause analysis, and conclusions.
Oversee investigations across the Americas and selected high-risk or sensitive matters in EMEA.
Conduct and supervise interviews of employees, management, and third parties in English and Spanish.
Ensure investigations are conducted in a legally defensible, timely, and confidential manner.
Prepare comprehensive investigation reports, executive summaries, and risk assessments for senior management.
Prepare materials and present investigation findings, conclusions, and remediation recommendations to the Ethics & Compliance Committee and the Audit Committee, as required and respond to committee questions and provide ongoing updates on investigation status, trends, and remediation progress.
Select, manage, and oversee external forensic consultants, eDiscovery providers, and outside counsel engaged in investigations.
Define investigation scope, timelines, and deliverables for external providers.
Manage investigation budgets, monitor and control costs, and ensure efficient use of external resources.
Work in close partnership with the Internal Audit team to receive and triage allegations and audit-identified red flags, transition audit findings into formal investigations when warranted and share investigation insights to inform audit planning and fraud risk assessments
Provide forensic expertise to Internal Audit during audits involving suspected fraud or corruption.
Support Internal Audit in evaluating control breakdowns, root causes, and remediation actions following investigations.
Maintain strong, trusted partnerships with Legal, Finance, HR, Compliance, and Internal Audit throughout the investigation lifecycle.
Coordinate closely with Legal and HR on employee matters, disciplinary actions, regulatory exposure, and potential disclosures.
Partner with Finance on financial analysis, transaction reviews, and control remediation.
Serve as a primary advisor to senior leadership on investigation strategy, findings, and risk implications.
Use investigation outcomes to identify systemic control weaknesses and emerging fraud and corruption risks.
Recommend practical remediation and fraud prevention measures based on investigation findings.
Contribute investigation insights to fraud risk assessments and anti-bribery and corruption program enhancements.