Director of Internal Audit

Auberge Collection•Bethesda, MD

About The Position

The Director of Internal Audit reports to the Chief Financial Officer and leads Auberge Resorts LLC’s Internal Audit function. The role designs and executes a risk-based audit program that provides independent, objective assurance to senior management, and provides formal quarterly updates to the Executive Leadership and Internal Audit Committees. It coordinates closely with Operations Finance, Legal, and The Friedkin Group Internal Audit team. Initially the function’s sole audit resource, the Director personally handles enterprise risk assessment, audit planning, fieldwork, reporting, and issue follow-up. The Director is responsible for refining and maturing the established function in alignment with Global Internal Audit Standards and leading practices, while remaining responsive to a dynamic luxury hospitality environment. The role requires a strong understanding of hotel and resort management, homeowners’ associations (HOAs), and related shared services, as well as executive presence and effective communication with senior leadership. The position is primarily office-based, may be based in Bethesda, Maryland, and requires extensive domestic and international travel to Auberge-managed properties in the U.S. and Europe. The role may involve extended walking and standing and occasional lifting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation.
7–15 years of combined internal and external audit experience.
Prior experience leading or building an Internal Audit function, or serving in a highly autonomous audit leadership role.
Experience working with senior executives.
Ability to travel extensively, domestically and internationally.
Ability to conduct onsite audits requiring extended walking and standing and occasional lifting.

Nice To Haves

Strong operational audit experience in hospitality, real estate, asset management, or similarly complex, service-oriented industries.
International audit experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and enhance Auberge’s Internal Audit function, documentation, methodologies, and continuous-improvement efforts in alignment with Global Internal Audit Standards and leading practices.
Design and maintain a risk-based audit plan informed by enterprise risk assessments, business strategy, and emerging hospitality and real estate risks.
Build a scalable Internal Audit function focused on execution, quality deliverables, and best-practice methodology and tools.
Advise executive leadership on operational, financial, compliance, and strategic risks.
Benchmark practices against hospitality peers and The Friedkin Group Internal Audit standards.
Establish department metrics and processes and coach team members to support performance, excellence, and accountability.
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments with executive leadership, property and HOA management, and functional leaders.
Plan and execute operational, financial, compliance, and governance audits, especially in hotel operations, revenue management, hotel management agreement compliance, procurement, payroll, IT controls, HOA governance, third-party/vendor risk, and applicable regulations.
Personally perform audit fieldwork, testing, analysis, and reporting, and actively manage issue resolution.
Identify control gaps, inefficiencies, and root causes; develop practical, cost-aware recommendations that balance risk mitigation with operational needs.
Prepare clear, concise audit reports and present audit results, risk themes, and emerging issues to senior leadership.
Communicate with management about audit observations, remediation plans, and progress.
Evaluate governance, risk management, and internal control processes.
Coordinate with Auberge Legal on compliance, regulatory, and FCPA-related matters, while Legal retains primary ownership of compliance governance.
Coordinate with The Friedkin Group Internal Audit and external auditors on alignment and coverage of key risks.
Provide advisory support on new initiatives, system implementations, acquisitions, and process changes while maintaining Internal Audit independence.
Maintain awareness of regulatory and compliance requirements affecting hospitality operations, including anti-bribery and corruption risks in international operations.
Use audit technology, automated workpaper solutions, and data analytics to improve efficiency, consistency, audit testing, and insight generation.
Travel extensively to domestic and international properties for onsite audits and risk assessments, adapting audit approaches to differing regulatory environments, operational models, and cultural contexts.
Share knowledge, insights, and lessons learned with The Friedkin Group Internal Audit team.