Special Investigations Director

North Carolina Office of the State Auditor; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor seeks a senior leader to oversee the Special Investigations Division, guiding day-to-day operations for a high-volume, high-impact investigative unit of 14 professionals, including four direct reports. You will report to the Deputy Director and drive strategic direction and objectives.

You will recruit and develop investigators, oversee reporting, and ensure investigations are objective, thorough, and timely, maintaining accountability across the

Qualifications

• Ability to oversee a division producing formal investigative reports.
• Strong analytics and communication skills.
• Experience leading complex investigations and coaching managers.

Responsibilities

• Establish strategic direction and objectives for the Special Investigations Division.
• Ensure investigations are objective, thorough, and consistent.
• Oversee annual production of up to 36 investigative reports.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing investigative professionals.
• Represent the division before senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Develop metrics to evaluate division effectiveness.
• Foster accountability, transparency, and professional growth.

Skills

Analytics

Written communication

Verbal communication

Leadership development

Strategic direction

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

Advanced degree in law/public administration/business/criminal justice

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA license

Job description

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is looking for a senior leader who would be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations for the Special Investigations Division. In this role, you will be able to provide leadership and strategic direction for a high-volume investigative operation, along with conducting high-impact investigations.

You would serve as the day-to-day senior leader for the division of 14 professionals, including four direct managerial reports. This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of the Special Investigations (Head of the Division).

As part of our team, you will get to:

Establish the strategic direction, priorities, and annual objectives of the Special Investigations Division

Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, independently, thoroughly, and consistently

Oversee the production and release of up to 36 investigative reports annually, including both investigative audits and special reports

Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing investigative professionals

Represent the Special Investigations Division before OSA senior leadership, internal, and external stakeholders

Develop metrics and performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the division

Foster a workplace culture founded on accountability, transparency, and professional growth

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to oversee a division responsible for producing formal investigative reports
• Strong analytics, written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex and sensitive matters simultaneously
• Experience coaching managers and developing future leaders
• Advanced conflict-resolution, negotiation, mediation, and consensus-building skills

Management Preferences:

• Advanced degree in law, public administration, business, criminal justice, or a related field
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible investigative, compliance, audit, law-enforcement, oversight, or related professional experience
• Significant experience leading complex investigations
• Holds an active Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification

Minimum Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in auditing/accounting, including three years serving in a role as an audit lead or supervisor

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience

Necessary Special Requirements:

The Assistant State Audit Director classification requires a Certified Public Accountant license issued by the State of North Carolina or eight years of auditing under the Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

A bachelor's degree with twenty-four semester hours in accounting from an appropriately accredited institution and six years of experience in auditing/accounting, including three years serving in a role as an audit lead or supervisor

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience

Necessary Special Requirements:

The Assistant State Audit Director classification requires a Certified Public Accountant license issued by the State of North Carolina or eight years of auditing under the Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)