Vice President, Internal Audit

JetBlue; New York (NY); On-site; USD 251,000 - 377,000; Full time

Job summary

JetBlue seeks a Vice President, Internal Audit to lead the function, provide independent assurance, and strengthen governance and controls. You will set strategy, lead risk assessments, and modernize via analytics and automation, reporting directly to the CFO and Audit Committee.

You will oversee planning, execution, and reporting of audits, manage the budget, and build a high-performing team while engaging senior leaders and the Board on critical risk matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required across accounting/finance/business/risk/info systems or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive Internal Audit, risk, controllership, accounting, compliance or related assurance.
• CIA and/or CPA required.
• Deep knowledge of internal audit, enterprise risk management, governance and internal controls, including SOX 404.
• Public-company experience with external auditors and Audit Committees.
• Strong business judgment and ability to translate risk and control matters into actions.
• Executive presence and communication skills with credibility to engage senior leaders and the Board.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent and create succession depth.
• Experience using analytics, automation, continuous auditing or tech-enabled modernization of Internal Audit.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills; able to prioritize enterprise risks.
• Comfort with modern audit, data and reporting technologies; enterprise-minded.
• Independent and courageous with sound judgment on escalation and remediation.
• Commercial and practical, translating observations into actions that reduce risk.
• Exceptional communicator and people leader aligned with JetBlue values.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and compliance with pre-employment drug test.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior Internal Audit leader and primary liaison to the Audit Committee, reporting on audit results, risks, and remediation.
• Develop and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit strategy and annual plan aligned with JetBlue's strategy and priorities.
• Lead enterprise risk and control assessments and establish audit coverage across key processes and systems.
• Evaluate design and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal controls; identify improvement opportunities.
• Oversee planning, execution, quality and reporting of audits, investigations and reviews to high professional standards.
• Ensure timely execution of SOX 404 testing and follow-up with management and external audit.
• Maintain independence; escalate significant issues and drive remediation while focusing on business value.
• Modernize Internal Audit through analytics, automation and new technologies.
• Coordinate with Compliance, Legal, Safety, Information Security, Finance and external audit to strengthen assurance framework.
• Provide independent risk perspective on major transformations and strategic initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing Internal Audit organization; focus on talent and succession.
• Own the Internal Audit budget and resource strategy; manage co-sourcing and external specialists.
• Maintain Internal Audit Charter and ensure compliance with standards and policies.
• Prepare quarterly Audit Committee materials and perform special reviews as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Executive presence

People leadership

Analytics experience

Risk management

Internal audit knowledge

SOX 404

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Risk Management, Information Systems or related field

Job description

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The Vice President, Internal Audit is JetBlue's senior Internal Audit leader, providing independent assurance and insight to strengthen governance, risk management and internal controls. The role is a trusted advisor to the CFO, executive leadership team and the Board, with direct access to the Audit Committee Chair.The VP, Internal Audit leads the Internal Audit strategy, enterprise risk assessment, annual plan and modernization agenda. The role independently evaluates key financial, operational, technology, cybersecurity and compliance controls, including those supporting a safe and reliable airline operation, while partnering with management and external audit without compromising independence.We are seeking a highly credible, commercially minded and results-oriented leader who can operate effectively with the Board and senior leadership team and engage leaders across the airline. The successful candidate will combine deep audit expertise with sound judgment and courage; focus the function on the risks that matter most; and turn findings into practical actions that strengthen performance, controls and resilience.

• Serve as the senior Internal Audit leader and primary liaison to the Audit Committee, providing clear, candid reporting on audit results, emerging risks, control themes and remediation.
• Develop and maintain a risk-based Internal Audit strategy and annual plan aligned with JetBlue's strategy, risk profile and operating priorities; adjust coverage as conditions change.
• Lead enterprise risk and control assessments and establish appropriate audit coverage across financial reporting, revenue, commercial and operational processes, technology and cybersecurity, third parties, regulatory compliance, capital projects, fleet and other material risks.
• Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management and internal controls, identifying opportunities to improve resilience, accountability, efficiency and decision-making.
• Oversee the planning, execution, quality and reporting of audits, investigations and advisory reviews, ensuring work is appropriately scoped, evidence-based, well documented and completed to high professional standards.
• Ensure timely execution of SOX Section 404 testing and follow-up, in partnership with management and external audit, to support management's assessment and attestation of internal control over financial reporting.
• Maintain appropriate independence from management; elevate significant issues, challenge assumptions and drive timely remediation while remaining practical and focused on business value.
• Maintain disciplined issue escalation, root-cause analysis, remediation tracking and validation, with transparent visibility to overdue, repeat and high-risk matters.
• Modernize Internal Audit through analytics, continuous monitoring, automation and other technology-enabled approaches that improve coverage, efficiency and insight.
• Coordinate with Compliance, Legal, Safety, Information Security, Finance, external audit and other assurance functions to strengthen the overall assurance framework and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
• Provide an independent risk and control perspective on major transformations, systems implementations, outsourcing, organizational changes and other strategic initiatives.
• Build and lead a high-performing Internal Audit organization, with a strong focus on talent, succession, professional development, accountability and business acumen.
• Own the Internal Audit budget and resource strategy, including appropriate use of co-sourcing and external specialists, while maximizing risk coverage and responsible use of company resources.
• Maintain the Internal Audit Charter and ensure the function operates in accordance with applicable professional standards, company policies and regulatory expectations; prepare quarterly Audit Committee materials and perform special reviews as requested by the CFO or Audit Committee Chair.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Risk Management, Information Systems or related field.
• Fifteen (15) years of progressive experience in Internal Audit, risk, controllership, accounting, compliance or a related assurance function, including significant people leadership.
• Active CIA and/or CPA required.
• Deep knowledge of internal audit, enterprise risk management, governance and internal controls, including SOX Section 404.
• Public-company experience with external auditors and Audit Committees.
• Strong business judgment and ability to translate complex risk and control matters into clear implications and actions.
• Executive presence and communication skills, with credibility and courage to engage senior leaders and the Board on difficult issues.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent and create succession depth.
• Experience using analytics, automation, continuous auditing or other technology-enabled approaches to modernize Internal Audit.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize enterprise risks and drive issues to closure.
• Comfort with modern audit, data and reporting technologies
• Enterprise-minded, connecting risk, controls, operations, customer outcomes and financial performance.
• Independent and courageous, with sound judgment on escalation, remediation and management partnership.
• Commercial and practical, translating audit observations into actions that improve performance and reduce risk.
• Exceptional communicator and people leader who builds trust, develops talent, embraces technology and fosters a high-performing culture consistent with JetBlue's values.
• Available for occasional overnight travel (10%)
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
• Authorization to work in the US is required, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• CISA, CFE or comparable certification.
• Prior experience as a Chief Audit Executive, Vice President of Internal Audit or comparable senior assurance leader.
• Internal Audit leadership experience in aviation, transportation, travel, hospitality, financial services, manufacturing, technology or another highly regulated, operationally complex industry.
• Experience with airline or transportation risks, including safety and reliability, maintenance, revenue and loyalty, fuel, fleet, procurement, customer data, third parties and regulatory compliance.
• Public-company experience with direct Audit Committee exposure and a track record transforming Internal Audit into a strategic, risk-focused, value-creating function.
• Experience coordinating the broader assurance ecosystem and addressing technology, cybersecurity, data governance and emerging risks, including AI and automation.
• Regular attendance and punctuality.
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice.
• Able to maintain a professional appearance.
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft.
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun.
• Must fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue’s Safety Management System and promote JetBlue’s #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador.
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue's confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or Safety Action Report (SAR)).
• Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations and Company policies, procedures and risk controls.
• Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to the role’s duties and responsibilities.
• The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position.

Equipment

• Computer and other office equipment.
• Traditional office environment.

Physical Effort

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)

Compensation

• The base pay range for this position is between $251,000.00 and $377,000.00 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue’s total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.

JetBlue Airways is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

Nearest Major Market:

Brooklyn

Nearest Secondary Market:

New York City