Director, Internal Audit

Fervo Energy•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Fervo Energy is advancing the next generation of geothermal energy to deliver 24/7 carbon-free power at scale. We combine subsurface engineering, horizontal drilling, and real-time data systems to unlock a clean, reliable energy resource that can meet global demand. Our team operates at the intersection of energy, technology, and infrastructure—building complex projects in regulated environments where execution quality and operational discipline matter. We value individuals who take ownership, solve hard problems pragmatically, and build systems that scale. The Director, Internal Audit will be the builder responsible for designing the internal audit function from first principles, guiding the establishment of our SOX compliance program, defining the risk universe, and delivering independent assurance across financial reporting, IT, operational technology (OT), and cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. This is a hands-on leadership role for a seasoned internal audit professional who thrives in ambiguity and wants to shape a function rather than inherit one. You will partner closely with the Head of Compliance & Regulatory Programs, the CFO, external auditors, and the Audit Committee of the Board to ensure Fervo's control environment is appropriate, risk-aligned, and continuously improving. You will also coordinate co-source providers and specialists where needed, while maintaining ownership of internal audit strategy, execution, and reporting. This role is positioned as a platform for advancement: successful candidates who lead the initial SOX adoption and establish the broader internal audit workstreams will be strong contenders for promotion to Chief Audit Executive within 18–24 months, with commensurate growth in scope, team, and Board-level visibility. The budget to fund co-source providers necessary to execute work required to successfully implement a SOX compliance program and other workstreams has been approved by the Fervo’s senior management and Board of Directors.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; CPA, CIA, or CISA strongly preferred (MBA a plus)
10+ years of progressive internal audit, external audit, or ICFR experience, including meaningful time at a Big Four or top-tier professional services firm and at a public or near-IPO company
Demonstrated experience standing up or materially rebuilding a SOX program—scoping, control design, testing, and remediation—not just executing within an established one
Deep fluency with COSO 2013, PCAOB AS 2201, and SEC rules governing ICFR, disclosure controls, and audit committee reporting
Working knowledge of IT general controls, cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001), and audits of complex ERP and operational technology environments
Proven ability to coordinate effectively with external auditors and to present to audit committees and senior executives
Track record of operating independently, exercising sound judgment under ambiguity, and delivering results in fast-moving, resource-constrained environments
Ability to travel to Fervo offices and project sites as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy (power generation and/or distribution), infrastructure, upstream oil & gas, or other asset-heavy industries
Exposure to regulatory compliance audits in regulated energy environments (FERC, NERC, DOE loan programs, IRS domestic content / prevailing wage)
Experience auditing complex capital projects, joint ventures, or project finance structures
Hands-on experience with ERP systems (Quorum a plus) and audit/GRC platforms
Experience building an internal audit function at a recently public or pre-IPO company

Responsibilities

Build Fervo's internal audit function from the ground up, including charter, methodology, risk-based annual audit plan, and quality assurance and improvement program aligned with IIA standards
Serve as the primary point of contact for the Audit Committee—preparing materials, delivering updates on key risks and control issues, and ensuring concerns are surfaced early and resolved decisively
Define the enterprise risk universe in partnership with Finance, Legal, Compliance, IT, and Operations, and translate it into a multi-year audit roadmap that scales with the business
Establish audit standards, documentation norms, and workpaper discipline sufficient to withstand external auditor and regulator scrutiny
Partner with Finance and Accounting to support the design and build-out of Fervo's SOX program, including scoping, risk assessment, control design evaluation, and deficiency remediation tracking, ensuring controls are designed into processes rather than layered on after the fact
Own the independent testing layer of Fervo's SOX program, executing control testing, evaluating deficiency severity, and reporting results to the Audit Committee independently of management's conclusions
Coordinate directly with external auditors on SOX scoping, walkthroughs, testing reliance, and deficiency evaluation—driving one version of the truth and minimizing duplication
Provide control guidance on new system implementations, M&A activity, and strategic initiatives to ensure SOX and broader control considerations are addressed up front
Design and execute IT general controls (ITGC), application controls, and cybersecurity audits across financially significant systems, OT environments, and field-data infrastructure
Assess cyber risk posture in coordination with IT and Security leadership, including reviews of access management, change management, incident response, and third-party/cloud risk
Build data analytics, continuous monitoring, and fraud detection capabilities into the audit toolkit to surface trends, anomalies, and emerging risks
Deliver independent audits of Fervo's regulatory compliance programs—including FERC, NERC, energy market participation, domestic content and prevailing wage, trade and sanctions, ethics and anti-corruption, supply chain compliance with company procurement policies and leading practices, and third-party/vendor compliance across the supply chain—in coordination with the Director, Compliance & Regulatory Programs
Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls embedded in engineering, operations, and commercial workflows to confirm that compliance happens in the field, not just on paper
Support investigations and special projects as requested by the Audit Committee, General Counsel, or executive leadership, with defensible methodology and independent reporting
Build and lead a small, high-caliber internal audit team over time—balancing in-house talent with co-source relationships to match capability to the risk profile
Develop strong working relationships with business leaders by communicating best practices and delivering internal control awareness and training across the organization
Communicate effectively with C-suite and Board-level stakeholders, presenting findings and recommendations with clarity, judgment, and appropriate candor