Internal Audit Manager, VP Finance

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

University Audit Services within VP Finance in Calgary seeks an Internal Audit Manager to lead the university's operational audit program, executing complex engagements and providing independent assurance across governance, risk management, controls, and business processes.

Reporting to the Senior Director, the role requires strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to navigate a decentralized academic environment while driving continuous improvement in audit methodologies and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Professional certification such as CISA, CIA, CISSP, or CPA preferred.
• 5–8 years of internal audit or related experience.
• Experience leading and executing complex engagements.
• Ability to navigate decentralized environments and mentor staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex operational, financial, compliance, governance and advisory engagements.
• Supervise and mentor audit staff assigned to engagements.
• Ensure audit work conforms to II A Standards and internal methodology.
• Evaluate design and operating effectiveness of processes, controls and risk management.
• Assess risks relating to strategic objectives, regulatory compliance and resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability and control.
• Resolve issues and escalate significant risks to senior leadership.
• Build relationships with senior administrators and process owners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Mentorship

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree

CISA, CIA, CISSP, or CPA

Job description

University Audit Services within VP Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Internal Audit Manager. Reporting to the Senior Director, Internal Audit, the Operational Audit Manager plays a key role in developing and delivering the University's operational audit program. This position is responsible for executing and leading operational audit engagements and providing independent, objective assurance over the effectiveness of governance, risk management, internal controls, and business processes across the institution. Operating within a complex and decentralized academic environment, the Manager applies strong business acumen and audit expertise to assess operational, financial, compliance, strategic, and governance risks across faculties, administrative units, research activities, and support services. The role also contributes to the ongoing development of the Internal Audit function through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, methodology enhancement, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires sound professional judgment, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage competing priorities while building trusted relationships with senior leaders across the University.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):

• Lead and execute complex operational, financial, compliance, governance, and advisory engagements, including planning, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up activities.
• Supervise and mentor audit staff assigned to operational audit engagements, including work planning, review, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Ensure audit work conforms to professional standards (IIA Standards) and Internal Audit methodology, with high-quality documentation, risk assessments, and reporting.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of processes, controls, governance structures, and risk management practices across academic and administrative functions.
• Assess risks relating to the achievement of the University's strategic objectives, operational effectiveness, regulatory compliance, stewardship of resources, and safeguarding of assets.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and control environments.
• Resolve complex audit issues and elevate significant risks, control deficiencies, and emerging concerns to senior leadership in a timely manner.
• Build effective working relationships with senior administrators, faculty leadership, and business process owners across the institution.

Audit Planning & Risk Assessment

• Support the development and ongoing refinement of the University's risk-based internal audit plan, with a focus on operational, financial, compliance, governance, and strategic risks.
• Conduct enterprise-wide and operational risk assessments to identify emerging risks and inform audit priorities.
• Provide insights into institutional risk exposures, control maturity, governance effectiveness, and areas requiring enhanced oversight.
• Monitor changes in strategic initiatives, organizational structures, regulatory requirements, and operating environments that may affect the University's risk profile.

Internal Audit Operations & Strategic Support

• Support the Senior Director in the execution of the Internal Audit strategy and departmental priorities.
• Assist in the preparation and presentation of quarterly reporting to senior leadership and the Audit Committee, including audit results, risk themes, and performance metrics.
• Contribute to the annual audit planning process and the ongoing monitoring of audit plan execution.
• Support departmental budgeting, resource planning, quality assurance activities, and performance measurement initiatives.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Internal Audit methodologies, templates, practices, and quality assurance processes.
• Assist with special projects and strategic initiatives as required.

Data Analytics & Continuous Monitoring

• Leverage data analytics to enhance audit coverage, efficiency, and insight generation across operational audits.
• Analyze financial, operational, and performance data to identify trends, anomalies, control weaknesses, and improvement opportunities.
• Promote the use of data-driven auditing approaches and continuous monitoring techniques within the Internal Audit function.
• Collaborate with audit team members to incorporate analytics into audit planning, testing, and reporting activities.

Business Intelligence & Reporting

• Support the development of meaningful reporting and dashboarding solutions to communicate audit results, emerging risks, and Internal Audit performance measures.
• Prepare clear, concise, and impactful audit reports for management, executive leadership, and the Audit Committee.
• Communicate audit findings, recommendations, and strategic risk observations effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Operational Contributions

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Internal Audit processes, methodologies, and templates.
• Participate in departmental initiatives, special projects, and cross-functional work as required.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Related Bachelor's degree
• Professional certification such as CISA, CIA, CISSP, or CPA is strongly preferred
• Minimum 5-8 years of relevant experience in internal audit, operational audit, risk management, compliance, advisory services, or related areas.
• Experience leading and executing operational, compliance, financial, governance, or advisory engagements.
• Experience assessing business processes, internal controls, governance frameworks, and risk management practices.
• Experience working in complex or decentralized environments (public sector or higher education considered an asset).
• Experience providing guidance, supervision, or mentorship to junior staff or team members.
• Experience engaging with senior leaders and managing stakeholder relationships across diverse organizational functions.
• Ability to navigate governance structures, decentralized operations, or complex stakeholder networks is considered an asset.

Application Deadline

October 15, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).