Dir. Internal Audit, Ops

AARP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Pension plan

Health, dental, and vision plans

Life insurance

Paid time off including holidays,vac,S

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

AARP is seeking a Director of Internal Audit to lead audit activities across business operations, cybersecurity, data management, and emerging tech. You will guide audit managers, align audits with strategic initiatives, and deliver risk-based insights to senior leadership.

The role requires senior-level expertise, professional credentials, and strong communication to support the Board and management in mitigating enterprise risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Risk Management, or related field plus 10+ years experience in internal, financial, operational audit, or risk management.
• Professional certification required (CIA, CPA, CFE, or comparable credential).
• Advanced knowledge of risk-based auditing, internal controls, governance, compliance, financial processes, and ERM frameworks.
• Experience leading audits, advisory reviews, and risk assessments across financial, operational, compliance, governance, and third-party risk areas.
• Proven leadership in managing audit teams, projects, and relations with senior execs, boards, regulators, and auditors.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage internal audit activities related to business operations, cybersecurity, data management, and emerging technologies.
• Ensure sustainable solutions for evolving business risks and compliance using new technologies.
• Oversee audit managers who plan, lead, and execute risk-based audits and projects.
• Integrate company strategy and initiatives into risk assessments and audit plans.
• Coordinate with co-sourced SMEs to deliver high-quality audits and advisory projects.
• Lead training sessions on emerging risks for department, organization, and Board committees.
• Liaise with portfolio companies to manage risks consistently and share lessons learned.
• Communicate audit findings clearly to executives, risk managers, and Board members.

Skills

Financial audit

Internal controls

Risk management

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Microsoft Office

Data visualization tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Risk Management, or related field

CIA, CPA, CFE or comparable credential

Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Risk Management, Law, or related field

Tools

Audit software

Job description

Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

AARP’s Office of Chief of Staff keeps AARP operating and informed on a day-to-day basis. The staff works closely with the CEO and other E-Team members to provide leadership and direction to make strategic decisions.

The Director of Internal Audit contributes to the success of the organization through the oversight of audit managers who oversee the execution of internal audits. Business specific internal audits identify potential opportunities to improve the internal control environment and vulnerabilities in the AARP family of companies to drive continuous improvement. The Director of Internal Audit is responsible for identifying and supporting the mitigation of risks across AARP’s portfolio of companies. This role serves as a key subject matter expert and contributor in the Internal Audit (IA) team's support of the various boards that maintain oversight of AARP and its affiliates. IA’s work is driven and authorized by the AARP Board Audit & Finance Committee. This role is responsible for performing and overseeing the completion of all internal audit work in compliance with established audit methodology while meeting all organizational and professional ethical standards. In addition, the Director of Internal Audit assists in the execution of special projects for senior management and the Board as requested.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage internal audit activities related to business operations, cybersecurity, data management, and emerging technologies.
• Ensure sustainable solutions for evolving business risks and compliance requirements leveraging new and emerging technologies for the IA team’s processes and methodologies.
• Maintain oversight of audit managers who plan, lead, manage and execute risk-based processes, operational and governance audits and projects of various enterprise functions, working collaboratively with management to identify and mitigate top risks. Provide training, guidance, and supervision to internal audit staff.
• Evaluate and incorporate AARP’s strategy and major business initiatives into the risk assessment process to identify key risk areas for further due diligence and inclusion in the audit plan.
• In collaboration with the audit managers, provide direction to and management of co-sourced subject matter experts and staff to deliver consistent and exceptional service in execution of audits and advisory projects.
• Assist and/or lead training and education sessions on emerging risks for the benefit of the department, organization, and/or Board audit committees.
• Serve as operational liaison across the AARP portfolio of companies to manage and mitigate risks in a consistent manner, sharing lessons learned and identifying areas of risks for risk mitigation. Collaborate with other AARP personnel to identify and implement business specific risk management or process improvement opportunities to efficiently manage business risks in support of the organization’s goals.
• Communicate audit details and risks to audit team, risk managers, executives, Board members and business owners in an understandable and compelling way to drive risk mitigation adoption. Stay abreast of current and emerging business specific risks and be able to assess the risk’s relevance to AARP and its operations to continuously prepare and protect the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Risk Management, or a related field, with 10+ years of experience in internal audit, financial audit, operational audit, compliance, risk management, accounting, or related disciplines.
• Professional certification required (CIA, CPA, CFE, or a comparable audit, risk, compliance, or accounting credential).
• Advanced knowledge of risk-based auditing, internal controls, governance, compliance requirements, financial processes, and enterprise risk management frameworks.
• Experience leading and executing audits, advisory reviews, and risk assessments across financial, operational, compliance, governance, and third-party risk areas.
• Proven leadership experience managing audit teams, complex projects, multiple priorities, and relationships with senior executives, Board committees, external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analysis and visualization tools, and the ability to translate complex risks into practical business recommendations.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Risk Management, Law, or a related field.
• Multiple relevant professional credentials, such as CIA, CPA, CFE, CRMA, or another audit, risk, compliance, fraud, accounting, or governance certification.

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation And Benefits

AARP offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including a 401(k); 100% company-funded pension plan; health, dental, and vision plans; life insurance; paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave; performance-based and peer-based recognition and tuition reimbursement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.