Manager, Governance, Risk & Audit

Ontario Dig Authority; Guelph; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Dig Authority seeks a Manager, Governance, Risk & Audit to lead the enterprise risk framework, provide independent advisory services that improve governance, risk management, internal controls, compliance, audit readiness, and operational effectiveness.

Reporting to the CFO and Treasurer, the inaugural role builds from inception, executes a risk-based plan, coordinates external oversight engagements, mentors the internal audit team, and ensures alignment of ERM with governance objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and execute a risk-based annual and multi-year internal plan for governance and risk management.
• Develop and maintain an internal audit framework and coordinate risk-based audits across functions.
• Assess internal controls, governance practices, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and accountability.
• Provide independent assurance to senior management and the Board on control effectiveness.
• Coordinate external oversight engagements and ensure audit readiness with regulators.
• Lead and mentor the internal audit team to align ERM with governance objectives.

Job description

The Manager, Governance, Risk & Audit is responsible for leading Ontario Dig Authority’s enterprise risk framework, and providing independent and objective advisory services designed to improve governance frameworks, risk management, internal controls, compliance, audit readiness, and operational effectiveness.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and maintaining appropriate objective relationship with the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee, this inaugural position develops from inception and executes a risk-based plan and builds a framework that evaluates organizational readiness regarding governance, internal processes, internal controls, policies, and provides strategic recommendations to strengthen accountability, transparency, and operational performance.

The position also serves as the organization's primary lead (except any audit of financial statements) and liaison for any external oversight engagement and reviews, including any engagements conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, coordinating enterprise-wide responses and ensuring timely resolution of any findings and recommendations.

The position provides leadership and mentorship to the internal audit team, ensuring alignment between enterprise risk management activities, governance objectives, and internal controls.

Working collaboratively with senior management, this position contributes effectively by helping the organization in achieving sustained effective governance that can proudly withstand external assessments.

This position is based out of Ontario Dig Authority’s head office at 104 Cooper Drive, Guelph. Ontario Dig Authority has a hybrid work model with staff dividing their workweek between in-office and at-home work.

(Please note: Ontario One Call operates as the Ontario Dig Authority. The mandate and objectives for Ontario One Call is provided under the Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/12o04).)

Primary Responsibilities:

Enterprise Governance and Risk:

• Develop, maintain, and execute a risk-based annual and multi-year internal plan for maintaining good enterprise governance frameworks and prioritized risk management mitigation.
• Develop and maintain an internal audit framework.
• Coordinate risk-based internal audits across financial, operational, compliance, technology, cybersecurity, procurement, governance and enterprise functions, leveraging external subject matter expertise where appropriate.
• Assess the effectiveness of internal controls, governance practices, corporate policies, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.
• Provide practical recommendations that strengthen controls while supporting business objectives.
• Oversee follow-up audit activities to verify timely implementation of management action plans.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of the organization's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework.
• Evaluate key organizational risks and emerging issues/trends and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Assess compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements, Board policies, internal procedures, and industry standards.
• Provide independent assurance to senior management and the Board regarding organizational control effectiveness.
• Participate in governance reviews and special investigations as required.

Audit Committee and Board Reporting:

• Maintains an objective and independent advisory relationship with the Audit Committee while operating administratively within the Finance department.
• Prepare and present audit plans, audit reports, status updates, and annual assurance reports to senior management, the Audit Committee, and the Board of Directors.
• Communicate significant control weaknesses, poor governance, risk exposures, and material compliance issues.
• Develop executive-level briefing materials and recommendations for governance bodies.
• Support the CFO, CEO, and Audit Committee Chair in improving and implementing governance frameworks.

External Audit Engagements:

• Serve as the organizational lead for any external audits, reviews, examinations, or special engagements conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario or similar.
• Develop and implement audit readiness programs to ensure documentation, controls, policies, and records are maintained in accordance with audit best practices engagement expectations.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the organization and the Office of the Auditor General or similar.
• Lead and coordinate the organization’s internal audit-response team, including employees, contractors, legal counsel, and subject-matter experts supporting the organization during external oversight engagements.
• Coordinate information requests, document production, interviews, walkthroughs, and management responses.
• Establish internal governance structures and project plans to support Ontario Auditor General activities.
• Conduct a comprehensive review of prior publicly available Ontario Auditor General audits/reviews performed in last 10 years to establish a guideline of expectations for Ontario Dig Authority’s audit readiness.
• Monitor organizational compliance with audit protocols, deadlines, and reporting requirements.
• Prepare executive briefings and Board updates regarding audit scope, progress, findings, risks, and recommendations.
• Lead the development of management responses and corrective action plans arising from Auditor General reports.
• Track implementation progress and provide ongoing reporting to senior management, the Audit Committee, and the Board until all recommendations have been addressed.

Advisory and Special Projects:

• Provide independent advisory services on new programs, strategic initiatives, business transformations, procurement activities, and major projects.
• Support organizational initiatives involving governance modernization, process improvement, and control enhancement.
• Assist management in developing policies, procedures, and accountability frameworks.
• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management and direction to assigned team members.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, integrity, accountability, and professional excellence.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, and work plans.
• Oversee the integration of enterprise risk management activities with governance, and compliance.
• Promote organizational awareness of risk management, internal controls, and governance responsibilities.

https://ontariodigauthority.ca/about-us/careers/