Vice President, Internal Audit

University of Phoenix; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 335,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Phoenix seeks a Vice President, Internal Audit to lead the internal audit function with independence and objectivity, reporting to the Audit Committee. This role manages risk-based audits, SOX, cybersecurity, and business continuity, and provides assurance to executive management.

You will build a high-performing team, guide the audit plan, and coordinate with external auditors while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and professional guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance or a related field
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification required
• Ten or more years of progressive audit, risk, compliance, finance, or related experience
• Experience leading enterprise-level audit and assurance activities
• Strong leadership and mentoring of Internal Audit staff

Responsibilities

• Establishes and leads a risk-based internal audit strategy and annual plan.
• Evaluates governance, risk management, and internal control environment.
• Leads investigations involving suspected fraud when appropriate.
• Oversees execution of risk-based audits including cybersecurity and business continuity/disaster recovery.
• Provides oversight of the SOX compliance program.
• Communicates audit results to senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Coordinates Internal Audit with external auditors and other risk functions.
• Ensures Internal Audit activities comply with IIA standards and regulatory requirements.
• Leads and develops Internal Audit team members and fosters a collaborative environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership experience

Interpersonal communication

Strategic thinking

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance or related field

CPA or CIA or equivalent certification

Master's degree in business, accounting, finance or related field

Job description

At the University of Phoenix, we are committed to the future of work by providing a fully remote, work-from-home environment. This strategy enables us to attract top talent nationwide. Are you looking for a rewarding and fulfilling position that offers challenging work and the opportunity to make a significant impact while collaborating with a team of fun, innovative individuals? Would you prefer to work with an organization that positively contributes to the world? If so, we would love to hear from you!

Are you searching for a rewarding, fulfilling position that offers challenging work and the ability to make a big impact while working side-by-side with a team of fun, innovative people? Ideally, would you like this position to be with an organization that makes a positive contribution to the world? If so…we would love to hear from you!

About Us

University of Phoenix is a leading higher education institution founded in 1976 by Dr. John Sperling. Our mission is to improve the lives of our students, their families and future generations through higher education. Our values (which hopefully you share) are: Brave. Honest. Focused.

Our University values and embraces all team members and their unique perspectives. We fundamentally believe in fostering an environment which deeply respects, celebrates, and actively encourages a diverse workforce. We are committed to hiring – and learning from – those who share our passion to help others achieve their educational aspirations.

We offer excellent benefits, an effective recognition program, and outstanding learning and development tools, including tuition vouchers for employees and their qualified family members.

About the Position

The Vice President, Internal Audit serves as the University’s Chief Audit Executive and provides strategic leadership and independent oversight of the organization’s internal audit function, ensuring a risk-based approach to evaluating governance, risk management, and internal controls. The VP leads the development and execution of the annual audit plan and provides oversight and assurance of the organization’s SOX compliance program. This role advises senior management and the Audit Committee on significant audit findings, control deficiencies, and emerging risks and oversees the timely remediation of identified issues. The VP ensures the Internal Audit function operates in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and professional standards while evolving its approach to meet the changing needs and risk profile of the organization. The position maintains the independence and objectivity of Internal Audit and has direct and unrestricted access to the Audit Committee and its chair.

What You’ll Do

• Establishes and leads a risk-based internal audit strategy and annual audit plan, prioritizing areas of greatest organizational, financial, operational, technology, and regulatory risk and adjusting the plan as business risks and priorities evolve. This includes, but is not limited to, leading and facilitating the Company’s enterprise-wide risk management process, incorporating input from senior leadership, the Board/Audit Committee and other functions.
• Evaluates the organization’s governance, risk management, and internal control environment, considering the organization’s business strategies, risk appetite, and risk tolerance. Identifies and escalates significant or emerging risks and control concerns to senior management and the Audit Committee.
• Assesses fraud risk and, as appropriate, leads or supports investigations involving suspected fraud, misconduct, conflicts of interest, or other significant control matters in coordination with Legal, Compliance, Human Resources, and other functions.
• Oversees the execution of financial, operational, compliance, technology, and other risk-based audits, ensuring audit findings and recommendations are appropriately supported, communicated, and addressed by management. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate independent assurance over cybersecurity and business continuity/disaster recovery.
• Provides independent oversight and assurance of the organization’s SOX compliance program, including the risk-based approach for testing key financial controls, scope, methodology, timing, documentation, deficiency evaluation, remediation validation, and coordination with external auditors and other resources.
• Communicates audit results, significant control deficiencies, emerging risks, and remediation status to senior management and the Audit Committee and monitors management corrective action plans through resolution.
• Coordinates Internal Audit activities with the external auditor and other risk and assurance functions to improve risk coverage, minimize unnecessary duplication, and appropriately leverage the work of other assurance providers.
• Ensures Internal Audit activities are conducted in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors’ Global Internal Audit Standards and applicable regulatory and professional requirements and maintains an appropriate quality assurance and improvement program.
• Leads and develops high-performing Internal Audit team members by providing coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities while establishing clear performance objectives and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing environment; drives continuous improvement in team capabilities, audit expertise, talent development, performance management, and succession readiness.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

NOTE: The primary accountabilities above are intended to describe the general content and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Specific goals or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager.

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct management of internal audit staff.

What You Bring to the Table

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance or a related field
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent relevant professional certification required
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible audit, risk, compliance, finance, or related experience, including significant leadership experience within an internal audit function and experience leading complex, enterprise-level audit and assurance activities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master’s degree in business, accounting, finance or related field
• Proven experience in a progressively responsible capacity for directing an internal audit organization’s processes, procedures, and activities, as well as providing guidance, training and mentoring to Internal Audit staff; experience presenting to executive management and the Audit Committee is strongly preferred
• Thorough knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements and experience overseeing SOX compliance activities, including control testing, deficiency evaluation, remediation, and coordination with external auditors; strong knowledge of relevant PCAOB, FASB, and SEC requirements and experience assessing risk within complex regulatory and compliance environments
• Strong understanding of technology, cybersecurity, data governance, third-party, business continuity, and other emerging risks, with the ability to oversee assurance activities requiring specialized subject-matter expertise
• High level of conceptual and strategic thinking to assist in enhancing audit processes, methodologies and tools; adept at using sound reasoning to reach conclusions
• Highly organized, effective in time management, with attention to detail and an ability to focus on the big picture
• Highly developed interpersonal, influencing, and verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization, constructively challenge senior leadership, and communicate complex or sensitive matters to executive management and the Audit Committee
• Ability to work effectively with other departments and understand the operational issues relevant to achieve superior operations within their units
• Results oriented, meet deadlines without sacrificing quality, and able to direct multiple projects

As an Equal Opportunity employer, weparticularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

If you are an active-duty military member seeking employment when off-duty, compliance with Department of Defense Joint Ethics Regulation, 5500-7-R, is required prior to starting employment with University of Phoenix. You are advised to contact your base Judge Advocate General to seek such approval and answer any questions.

Pay Range

The annual pay range for this position is $156,600 (minimum), $245,800 (midpoint), and $335,000 (maximum).*

*Typical hiring range is between the minimum and midpoint of the above pay range. Actual starting base pay may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, location and budget. Compensation above the midpoint is generally associated with experienced, long-tenured employees who have demonstrated sustained performance and expertise in the role.

Individuals in this role are eligible for:

• Annual Bonus Award
• Annual Equity Award
• Participation in the Deferred Compensation Plan

Your work is critical to helping adult learners achieve their dreams, and we’re committed to rewarding you for your efforts. We offer a competitive, comprehensive total rewards package designed to help you achieve your health, financial, educational and work-life balance goals.

Full-time employees are eligible for:

• Medical, dental and vision plans; Flexible Spending Accounts; Health Savings Accounts; Life and Disability insurance; and our Wellness incentive program;
• Competitive 401(k) employer match;
• Substantial tuition discount for you and eligible dependents; and,
• A generous time off package, including paid vacation, sick time and company holidays.*