Director Internal Audit Policy and Practices - Quality Assurance

Nationwide•Columbus, OH

7d•$138,000 - $206,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a key member of Nationwide’s Office of Internal Audit Leadership Team, the Director, Internal Audit will lead efforts that strengthen audit quality, performance, and continuous improvement. Reporting to the AVP, Internal Audit – Professional Practices, this role will help advance innovative, risk-focused practices that support Nationwide’s strategic priorities. To enable Nationwide to serve customers with the extraordinary care they deserve, we use sophisticated analytics to get insights from big data to provide meaningful audit results that improves business effectiveness and efficiency. No two audits are ever the same and the variety of work assignments gives us visibility and exposure throughout the enterprise. If you have the desire to learn continuously, think critically and can see the big picture, we want to know more about you! As a Director, you'll lead professional practice activities for the Office of Internal Audit (IA), including strategy development and execution, ownership of the Audit Practice platform technology, building organizational talent, change and technology innovation, people leadership and accountability, Board and Audit Committee reporting development and delivery (if needed) and enterprise-wide committee participation. You’ll be indirectly responsible for the Internal Audit budget and our continuous improvements. You’ll work closely with the Chief Audit Executive, the Internal Audit (IA) leadership team, Enterprise Risk Management, Office of Compliance, Controllership and other enterprise leaders to provide risk management insights and thought leadership help achieve Nationwide's strategic priorities, internal audit practices and compliance with regulatory standards.

Requirements

Significant experience in internal audit, risk management, or a related field
Strong knowledge of audit practices, risk assessment, and quality programs
Ability to lead complex initiatives across an enterprise
Experience in insurance or financial services
Bachelor’s degree in business, technical, or related field preferred.
More than 10 years of demonstrated experience in audit, risk management or a related field.
Experience in the insurance and financial services industry.
Proven knowledge in auditing principles and practices.
Thorough understanding of customer business environment.
Experience in project management concepts and techniques.
Well-developed verbal and written communication skills for contacts with all levels of staff, management external sources, negotiation, presentations, project management and personnel management.
Administrative ability in budgeting, personnel management, company policy, and planning.
Ability to make decisions on day-to-day operations that require evaluating and recommending solutions to problems.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as CIA, CPA, CISA, CFE, or PMP are preferred.
Advanced degree preferred.
Relevant certifications (e.g., CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, PMP) desired.
Management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the Internal Audit Quality Assurance and Improvement Program, including testing, reporting, training, issue validation, lookback reviews, and external quality assessments.
Drive audit performance and continuous improvement by applying data analytics, generative AI, business/process intelligence, audit technology, and leading practices.
Provide risk insights to support audit planning and the annual risk assessment process, including engagement with business and enterprise leaders.
Lead complex quality assurance engagements from planning through reporting, ensuring sound risk assessment, effective controls evaluation, and high-quality recommendations.
Partner with the Chief Audit Executive, Internal Audit leadership, Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Controllership, and other stakeholders as a trusted advisor.
Lead strategic initiatives and help the Office respond to evolving professional standards, regulatory expectations, and business risks.
Develop communication materials for senior leaders and support the growth and capability of Internal Audit associates.
Manage and coach a team of approximately 2–4 associates while fostering collaboration, innovation, agility, and high performance.
Assist in development of short and long-term strategic direction and audit methodology for Internal Audit.
Owns IA’s technology to support the audit practice which includes managing external software vendor, internal Nationwide Technology relationships, IA leaders and hybrid leadership of IA AuditBoard administrators.
Develops, plans and execute office-wide training curriculum for data and analytics, technical auditing skills and emotional intelligence. Leads all aspects of delivery of orientation and onboarding processes for new hires, internal transfers and guest auditors. Develops recruitment strategy and operational execution in collaboration with leadership and Human Resources to include internal/external sourcing.
Creates agenda, oversees and facilitates the monthly leadership team and direct reports meetings which sets the strategy and management of the department.
Prepares Board and Audit Committee materials by including internal audit engagement results, emerging risks and trends, issues and key internal audit activities.
Serves as a primary point of contact for internal and external partners and leaders, various departments of insurance, Office of General Counsel, etc. for information/data requests and reviews.
Identifies, establishes and engages in internal and external committees to support organizational change, technology implementations and recommendations to Finance Council on capital allocation. Challenges the status quo, champions continuous improvement of the Company’s operations and partners with members of management to improve efficiency and profitability.
Helps facilitate Internal Audit resource and demand management efforts, including staffing availability, coordination and scheduling of resources, staff augmentation and detailed project scheduling.
Owns the automating operational areas using robotic process automation, workflows, data visualization and process improvement to lower expenses. Works closely with Data and Analytics teams and the enterprise data office to build out continuous auditing driven by technology.
Drives technology strategy, including capability assessment, operating platform selection, implementation and coordination of ongoing maintenance with Finance and Nationwide Technology business partners. Serves as the business application owner for the primary software used by Internal Audit to conduct internal audits.
Establishes, implements and maintains Internal Audit policies, procedures, practices and governance according to standards established by the Institute of Internal Auditors: Global Internal Audit Standards, expectations set forth by Nationwide’s Audit Committee(s), current and/or emerging regulatory standards/guidelines set forth by departments of insurance, Securities and Exchange Commission or other authoritative bodies, peer and industry standard methodologies.
Owns department employee engagement through coaching/feedback and planning inclusive team activities.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.