Director of Audit

Burke & Herbert Bank•Alexandria, VA

4h•$170,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Audit leads the risk-based audit portfolio covering the Bank’s core operational and corporate functions, including lending, deposits, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and related support activities. The role provides independent, objective assurance on governance, risk management, and internal controls; leads and develops audit professionals; communicates significant risks and themes to executive management and the Audit Committee; and supports the Internal Audit strategy. The Director oversees audit planning and execution, evaluates controls and risks, validates corrective actions, and maintains relationships with senior leaders while preserving Internal Audit independence. The position also supports departmental strategy, Audit Committee and regulatory reporting, resource planning, and enterprise initiatives. It is an exempt role with supervisory responsibilities. The work is performed in an office setting, and telework is not available. Limited travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a related field.
Active Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or related professional certification; examples include CFSA, CFA, or another credential relevant to the assigned portfolio.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management, bank supervision, or a related assurance function, including substantial financial services experience.
At least five years of experience leading audit professionals and managing a complex portfolio of risk-based audits.
Expert knowledge of risk-based internal auditing, governance, enterprise risk management, internal controls, audit planning, issue evaluation, reporting, and remediation validation within a regulated financial institution.
Strong knowledge of banking operations and risks across lending and credit administration, deposits and payments, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and related operational support functions.
Demonstrated ability to lead a complex audit portfolio, manage competing priorities, allocate resources, and deliver high-quality work within established timelines and budgets.
Proven people leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex matters into clear risk themes, conclusions, and actionable recommendations.
Ability to build credible relationships and influence senior leaders while maintaining objectivity, professional skepticism, confidentiality, and independence.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, root-cause analysis, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment in complex or ambiguous situations.
Experience using data analytics, continuous monitoring, and audit management technology to enhance assurance coverage and efficiency.
Ability to recognize emerging risks, connect issues across businesses and processes, and translate observations into enterprise-level insights.
High ethical standards and commitment to integrity, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Relevant advanced degree.
Experience leading managers or multiple audit teams.
Experience presenting complex audit and risk matters to executive management, governance committees, boards or board committees, and bank regulators.
Experience within a public financial institution or SEC registrant.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the risk-based audit portfolio across lending, credit administration, loan operations, deposits, banking operations, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and other assigned corporate functions.
Lead development of the annual audit risk assessment and audit plan, incorporating business strategy, financial and operational risks, regulatory expectations, emerging risks, prior results, and management concerns.
Direct concurrent audits from planning through reporting and issue validation, ensuring timely, budget-conscious execution in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and departmental methodology.
Approve audit objectives, scope, risk and control assessments, work programs, testing approaches, workpapers, findings, ratings, and reports; ensure conclusions are supported by sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful evidence.
Evaluate governance, risk management, and internal controls, identifying significant issues, systemic themes, root causes, and opportunities to strengthen processes.
Exercise independent judgment and constructive challenge with senior management, and negotiate practical, sustainable corrective actions without assuming management responsibility.
Communicate audit results, significant risks, portfolio themes, and remediation status to executive management, governance committees, the Audit Committee, and regulators as requested.
Oversee monitoring and validation of corrective actions, including evaluation of evidence, sustainability, and residual risk before issue closure.
Lead, coach, and develop audit managers and staff; set expectations, review performance, support succession and skills development, and promote accountability and high-quality execution.
Maintain business monitoring and relationships with senior leaders to understand changes in strategy, products, systems, personnel, risk profile, and control environment while preserving Internal Audit independence.
Promote data analytics, continuous monitoring, automation, and other innovative audit techniques to improve coverage, insight, efficiency, and quality.
Coordinate with Internal Audit leaders, external auditors, regulators, and second-line risk functions to support assurance coverage and minimize unnecessary duplication while maintaining accountability and independence.
Assist the Chief Audit Executive with departmental strategy, Audit Committee and regulatory reporting, resource planning, and other initiatives.
Participate in Bank initiatives and change programs in an advisory capacity, providing independent risk and control insight without taking management ownership or decision-making responsibility.
Maintain professional knowledge through continuing education, industry participation, and monitoring relevant developments.
Perform other duties as assigned.