Lead Specialist, General Audit

Guardian Life; Bethlehem (Northampton County); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Guardian Life, headquartered in the United States, seeks a Lead Specialist, General Audit to support the Head of Corporate Shared Services, Internal Audit. The role entails planning, executing and reporting audits with a focus on high‑quality assurance and advisory services for complex risks and controls.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in internal or external audit, strong analytical and communication skills, and professional accreditations such as CIA, CPA, CFE, or CISA; collaboration and

Qualifications

• 5+ years in internal audit, external audit, or related functions.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to assess processes, data, risks and controls.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with deadlines.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with stakeholders.
• Experience in insurance/financial services is a plus.
• Understanding of enabling technologies such as robotics, NLP, AI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex assurance projects using established standards.
• Influence and communicate risk insights to management and other risk providers.
• Mentor junior auditors and share knowledge of processes and controls.
• Monitor outstanding recommendations and perform follow‑up testing.
• Provide advisory services on projects, functions and processes as needed.
• Support governance, compliance, investigations and enterprise risk assessments.

Skills

Audit project management

Internal audit

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project leadership

Insurance/financial services

RPA/NLP/AI awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business

CIA CPA CFE CISA accreditations

Job description

Is the opportunity to join a culture where “We Do the Right Thing,” and “We Courageously Shape Our Future Together” important to you? If so, Guardian is seeking a motivated individual to join our team as Lead Specialist, General Audit.

This role will support the Head of Corporate Shared Services, Internal Audit. Typically, this position functions as a working audit project manager, fully responsible for planning, executing, and reporting audits independently and, on occasion, within a team. This role is focused on performing high quality, value‑add, assurance and advisory services that identify, evaluate, and report on highly complex business risks and controls in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors Standards and established methodologies.

This role will identify meaningful observations about the design and operating effectiveness of controls and discuss with various levels of management on improving the internal control environment. You will be frequently sought after as a key resource for complex assignments. This position is focused on the Corporate Functions (e.g., Strategic Initiatives, Corporate Development, Law, Compliance, Marketing, Communication, Talent & Culture, etc.) with the possibility of covering other business and functional areas of the Company.

You are

• An individual who is highly efficient and effective to lead an audit from planning, execution, and reporting. Possesses an experienced knowledge level of business processes, risks, and controls. You have a strong knowledge of general business and the insurance industry. Ability to multi-task and exemplify strong organizational skills and project management skills in a deadline-driven environment.

You will

• Lead and execute complex assurance projects in accordance with established methodologies and professional standards.
• Demonstrate influencing skills when communicating with business areas and other risk assurance providers aimed to continually improve relationships and enable management to proactively manage risk.
• Collaborate with other members of the audit team to leverage their skill sets, experience, and expertise; providing the same.
• Act as a mentor to new or less experienced auditors by providing guidance on Department processes and sharing knowledge of Company operations, product lines, etc.
• Monitor all outstanding recommendations and action plans for the assigned audits; prepare status commentary and perform follow‑up testing as needed.
• Provide advisory services on projects, business functions, and processes, if requested.
• Provide governance, compliance, investigation, and enterprise risk assessment support, if requested.
• Assist the external auditors and the Controls Assurance team (Model Audit Rule Program) through coordinating and executing direct assistance testing for select assignments.
• Work with Internal Audit leadership to identify and continuously improve departmental practices.
• Monitor and demonstrate compliance with departmental policies and practices, as evidenced by strong quality assurance results, and strong performance within standards and related metrics.
• Stay abreast of current issues, standard industry practices, regulations, and obtain continuing education and training. Participate in special projects and perform other duties as requested.
• Interact with all levels of management to provide effective risk and control advice, maintaining active communication with clients to enhance risk and control awareness and manage expectations.

You have

• 5+ years of broad-based experience in internal audit, external audit, or related functions.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to effectively assess a process, analyze data, and assess risks and controls.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage concurrent projects (multi-task) and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and clearly articulate thoughts and ideas.
• Ability to collaborate with others, both inside and outside of the department, while working toward common goals and fostering understanding and agreement.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry is a plus.
• Working knowledge of information technology, cybersecurity, and ability to apply to operational audits is a plus.
• Understanding of enabling technologies, including robotics process automation (RPA), natural language processing (NLP), and/or artificial intelligence (AI) is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required (accounting or business degree is a plus)
• Professional accreditations, licenses, or designations required – (CIA, CPA, CFE, CISA, etc.)

Location

Hybrid role - 3 days in office in Hudson Yards, NYC; Bethlehem, PA or Holmdel, NJ office; 2 days WFH

Salary Range

$86,210.00 - $141,635.00
The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian, you’ll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building, leadership development and philanthropic opportunities, we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career, surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardian’s Purpose – to inspire well‑being – we are committed to offering contemporary, supportive, flexible, and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at www.guardianlife.com/careers/corporate/benefits. Benefits apply to full‑time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individual's known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail]. Please note: this resource is for accommodation requests only. For all other inquiries related to your application and careers at Guardian, refer to the Guardian Careers site.

Visa Sponsorship

Guardian Life is not currently or in the foreseeable future sponsoring employment‑based visas (e.g., such as an H-1B). In order to be a successful applicant, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States, without the need for employer sponsorship/support now or at any time in the future.

Notice Regarding Guardian’s Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment

As part of Guardian’s job application process, Guardian may use artificial intelligence tools (“AI Tools