Chief Audit Executive

Xtalks; South Carolina; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking a Chief Audit Executive to lead and transform the internal audit function, ensuring independence and objectivity while advising the Audit Committee and executive leadership.

The role requires extensive experience across audit, risk, and compliance, with a track record of effective governance, strong communication, and integrity. US Citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility, with relocation support available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Internal Auditing, or 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: 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.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required.

Responsibilities

• 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 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.

Skills

Leadership

Internal audit

Risk management

Governance

Communication skills

Integrity and ethics

Stakeholder management

Strategic advisory

Executive reporting

Education

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

Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

IIA standards

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required.

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.

About Us

\"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.

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.

Please email us at [e-mail] with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.