Vice President of Organizational Risk and Assurance (2039)

BAKERRIPLEY•Houston, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

BakerRipley is seeking a mission-driven executive leader to serve as Vice President of Organizational Risk and Assurance. This essential role is dedicated to protecting the integrity, accountability, and long-term sustainability of an organization that serves thousands of individuals and families across our community. Reporting directly to our CEO, this role is designed for a leader who values independence with purpose, builds strong systems that support people doing meaningful work, and brings clarity and confidence to complex, high-responsibility environments. This role ensures that BakerRipley can confidently answer whether they are doing what they said they would do and if they are doing it in compliance with their obligations. The Vice President will establish and lead an independent Internal Audit function, identify risks early, ensure controls and safeguards support mission delivery, design and oversee a compliance framework, monitor regulatory changes, provide honest insight to leadership and the Board, communicate difficult findings professionally, and identify systemic risk and control gaps. This role does not manage programs, execute corrective actions, or own operational budgets/transactions.

Requirements

Senior leadership experience in internal audit, compliance, risk, or governance.
Proactive analytical competencies and systems-level thinking.
Comfort operating independently with confidence and humility.
A clear, direct communication style grounded in respect and collaboration.
Values-driven executive who believes strong governance and thoughtful risk management enable organizations to serve people better.

Nice To Haves

Experience in nonprofit, public sector, or complex multi-funded environments.
CPA, CIA, CFE, or comparable credential (or equivalent experience).

Responsibilities

Establish and lead an independent Internal Audit function that provides objective assurance.
Identify risks early—before they impact programs, people, or trust.
Ensure controls and safeguards truly support mission delivery.
Design and oversee a clear, practical compliance framework.
Ensure compliance with regulatory, grant, and funding requirements without creating unnecessary burden.
Monitor regulatory changes and guide the organization through them thoughtfully.
Provide honest, solution-oriented insight to executive leadership and the Board.
Communicate difficult findings with respect, professionalism, and purpose.
Serve as a trusted advisor grounded in ethics, independence, and sound judgment.
Identify systemic risk and control gaps across the organization.
Establish KPIs and metrics to assess audit and compliance effectiveness.
Help leadership distinguish isolated issues from enterprise-level exposure.