Chief Audit Executive

Savannah River National Laboratory; Aiken (ID); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

HSA options

Disability (company paid)

Life Insurance

AD&D (company paid)

Savings & Investment plan

Company match 50¢/$ up to 8%

Relocation assistance

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Plan

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking a Chief Audit Executive to lead the internal audit function and provide independent assurance across governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance. The role reports to the Audit Committee and executive leadership, shaping the audit program and strategic risk responses.

The CAE will develop risk-based plans, advise on major initiatives, and coordinate with external auditors and regulators to strengthen accountability and continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Internal Auditing, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years progressive experience in internal audit, external audit, accounting, compliance, risk management, or internal controls.
• Minimum of 5 years leadership experience in senior audit, compliance, finance, or risk role.
• One or more professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, CISA, CFE.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading a risk-based audit program.
• Experience reporting to executive leadership and/or an Audit Committee or Board.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, governance, risk management, and compliance practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• High degree of integrity, sound judgment, and professional credibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organization’s internal audit function with independence and objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a risk-based internal audit plan for review by the Audit Committee.
• Evaluate governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance processes.
• Oversee internal audits across financial, operational, compliance, and IT areas.
• Report significant audit findings, emerging risks, and control issues to the Audit Committee and leadership.
• Monitor remediation actions and follow up on management’s progress.
• Assess fraud risk and support investigations as appropriate.
• Coordinate with external auditors, regulators, compliance, legal, and finance.
• Ensure the internal audit function operates per IIA standards.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing internal audit team.
• Advise leadership on risk implications of strategic initiatives and major projects.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Internal audit

Governance

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Internal Auditing, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

IIA standards

Job description

Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly ethical Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to lead the internal audit function and serve as a trusted advisor to the Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and executive leadership. This executive role is responsible for providing independent, objective assurance and advisory services that strengthen governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance across the organization.

The Chief Audit Executive will develop and execute a risk-based internal audit plan, assess key business and operational risks, communicate significant findings, and help promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. Typically, manages daily activities through other senior managers.

• Lead the organization’s internal audit function in a manner that preserves independence and objectivity.
• Develop and maintain a risk-based internal audit plan for review and approval by the Audit Committee.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of governance, risk management, internal controls, and compliance processes.
• Oversee internal audits across financial, operational, compliance, and information technology areas, as applicable.
• Report significant audit findings, emerging risks, and control issues to the Audit Committee and executive leadership.
• Monitor management’s corrective action plans and follow up on remediation efforts.
• Assess fraud risk and support investigations, as appropriate.
• Coordinate with external auditors, regulators, compliance, legal, finance, and other oversight functions.
• Ensure the internal audit function operates in accordance with applicable professional standards, including the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) standards.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing internal audit team and manage external/co-sourced audit resources as needed.
• Advise leadership on risk implications related to strategic initiatives, system implementations, operational changes, and other major projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Internal Auditing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in internal audit, external audit, accounting, compliance, risk management, or internal controls.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in a senior audit, compliance, finance, or risk role.
• One or more professional certifications such as:
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading a risk-based audit program.
• Experience reporting to executive leadership and/or an Audit Committee or Board.
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, governance, risk management, and compliance practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership, analytical, and relationship-building skills.
• High degree of integrity, sound judgment, and professional credibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Multiple relevant professional certifications.
• Experience in the US Department of Energy national laboratory environment and the government-owned/contractor-operated model.
• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Experience with enterprise risk management, cybersecurity audits, fraud investigations, data analytics, and regulatory examinations, as applicable.
• Experience building or transforming an internal audit function.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader who can operate with independence while building strong relationships across the organization. This individual will bring executive presence, deep audit expertise, sound business judgment, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader who can operate with independence while building strong relationships across the organization. This individual will bring executive presence, deep audit expertise, sound business judgment, and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse stakeholders.

“We put science to work!”

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.

Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:

*Benefits vary based upon employment status

• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
• Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)
• AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
• Savings & Investment plan:
  • Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting
  • Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
• Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
• Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at www.srnl.doe.gov.

BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process.