Director, Internal Audit

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. 

Internal Audit conducts reviews of University records and operations and reports the results of these reviews to management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Governors. In fulfilling its responsibility to assist management and the Audit Committee in the effective discharge of their responsibilities, Internal Audit is committed to providing independent, objective and timely service to its customers, as well as responding to their request for advisory services, and to adding value to and improving the University’s operations. Internal Audit helps the University accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

The Director, Internal Audit provides independent and objective oversight to ensure the prudent and efficient management of strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks to the University, by analyzing and assessing operations, systems, documentation and other indicators. The Director leads the development and implementation of complex audits, targeted for large operations and systems, which can expose the University to significant risk, and develops and reports on an audit plan and enterprise-wide risk management strategies, for senior University leaders and the Audit Committee of the Board of Governors. The Director also facilitates the University’s Enterprise Risk Management Program, provides expertise and makes recommendations to improve risk mitigation strategies as appropriate, and serves on a number of University committees to provide advisory services to University leaders in the areas of risk management, internal control and governance processes.

In addition, the Director investigates and reports on any known or suspected violations of policies, fraud or misuse of University resources, and under the Safe Disclosure Policy, is responsible for confidential investigations of allegations relating to financial misappropriation or unethical behaviour. The Director also provides leadership and manages the administrative functions for Internal Audit, including developing a strategic plan; managing the departmental budget and resources effectively and efficiently; aligning audit resources with the audit work plan; and supervising professional internal auditors and external consultants as required.

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related field, with formal training in subjects relevant to the position including Commerce, Public Administration and Statistics
• Chartered Professional Accountant required
• Certified Internal Auditor designation required
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business Administration) preferred

Experience:

• 10 years’ experience providing strategic and operational leadership for projects and staff
• 5 years’ experience as an internal auditor
• Significant experience auditing complex information systems and processes
• Experience in a public sector or educational institution preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of business practices & processes, internal control, governance and risk management
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles of Information systems auditing
• Knowledge of enterprise wide information systems and security applications & controls
• Knowledge of audit software; detailed analysis of data and sampling techniques
• Knowledge of the legal framework(s) in which the University operates
• Openness to recognize when change is necessary, and to develop, implement and lead effective change management strategies
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Communication skills with the ability to converse with, write reports for, and deliver presentations to all levels of the organization
• Ability to deal confidentially with information that has financial, political, regulatory and reputational implications
• Innovative and flexible critical thinking skills to adjust to and implement new processes or technology to the University’s advantage
• Ability to draw on diversity of skills, backgrounds and knowledge of people to achieve more effective results
• Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are clearly linked to the organization's strategy and goals
• Ability to promote individual growth by encouraging others to learn new skills and develop themselves
• Ability to analyze exposures and make recommendations to mitigate risk
• Ability to quickly re-allocate resources and adjust priorities in response to unexpected events or changing circumstances
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Leadership skills with the ability to inspire employees and develop a shared vision to lead a team to excellence
• Ability to organize and effectively manage financial and human resources needed to achieve results
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and to work effectively and efficiently with internal and external clients at all levels of the organization
• Ability to identify long-range goals and design realistic plans to attain them
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred  

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.