Chief Audit Executive, Audit and Consulting Services

This job carries with it the obligation to uphold the Mission of Lone Star College (LSC) in carrying out the duties of the position. A commitment to positive interpersonal behaviors, professional communication, integrity, leadership, stewardship, respect and accountability to LSC students and employees is essential.

Cultural Beliefs

• One LSC
• Student Focused
• Own It
• Foster Belonging
• Cultivate Community
• Choose Learning

The Chronicle of Higher Education's "Great Colleges to Work For" is designed to recognize colleges that have been successful in creating great workplaces and to further research and understanding of the factors, dynamics and influences that have the most impact on organizational culture at higher education institutions.

Lone Star College has been recognized in multiple categories.

Lone Star College-System Office

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 80,000+ students each semester. LSC has been named a 2023 Great Colleges to Work For institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College.

Lone Star College-System Office employees are based at one of two System Office locations; The Woodlands and University Park. Both are the site for multiple administrative departments and system-wide training programs.

Location address is 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The Chief Audit Executive (CAE) is responsible for leading the College's internal audit function using a risk-based, integrated auditing approach that aligns with the College's strategic goals and evolving risk landscape. The CAE is responsible for developing and executing the audit plan, prioritizing areas of highest risk, and utilizing an agile methodology to adapt to emerging risks and business changes. In this role, the CAE provides strategic assurance to senior management and the board, offering insights into governance, risk management, and internal controls. By fostering a responsive and effective audit process, the CAE supports decision-making, promotes continuous improvement, and helps safeguard the College's operations and long-term success.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Responsible for developing and updating the risk-based, integrated, internal audit plan, ensuring it aligns with the College's risk profile, business objectives, and strategic priorities. This involves continuous monitoring of emerging risks and making adjustments as needed
2. Provides strategic insights and assurance to senior leadership, the Chancellor, the Audit & Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustees. This includes presenting audit results, risk assessments, and recommendations for improving internal controls, compliance, and governance
3. Leads and manages the Audit and Consulting Services team, providing guidance, mentoring, and training to enhance team capabilities. This includes overseeing the performance and professional development of auditors, ensuring they have the necessary skills and tools to execute audits effectively
4. Leads assurance and advisory projects that provide value-added recommendations to senior management on improving business processes, controls, and risk mitigation strategies. These projects are aligned with the College's strategic initiatives and offer proactive support in managing key risks
5. Responsible for overseeing the Audit and Consulting Services team's efforts in fraud detection and investigation. This includes investigating allegations of fraud, ensuring thorough and timely investigations, and implementing preventive measures. The CAE works closely with senior management to address potential fraud risks and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
6. Oversees the implementation of agile auditing practices, ensuring audits are responsive to emerging risks and organizational changes. This includes ensuring audits are iterative, flexible, and continuously aligned with the College's evolving priorities
7. Collaborates with key stakeholders to ensure that audit findings and risk issues are communicated effectively and that management action plans are implemented. This also involves fostering strong relationships to ensure alignment between the audit function and organizational objectives
8. Ensures the internal audit function adheres to professional standards, industry best practices, and regulatory requirements. This includes overseeing internal and external quality assurance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to maintain audit effectiveness and relevance
9. Responsible for preparing and delivering reports to the Chancellor's Cabinet, Chancellor, the Audit & Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustees, including comprehensive updates on audit results, significant risks, and internal control issues. This includes providing actionable recommendations to enhance governance and risk management
10. Advocates for a strong risk management and governance culture within the College. This involves participating in committees to advocate a culture of compliance and other governance initiatives such as the Compliance Review Committee. This also involves educating and raising awareness among senior leaders and employees about the importance of risk management, controls, and the role of internal audit in safeguarding the organization
11. Participates in local, state, and national internal auditing organizations to represent the College and to keep up with current industry practices, changing professional standards, audit trends and higher education and government industry standards
12. Responsible for collaborating across the other lines of defense, namely the Office of Governance, Accountability and Compliance, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Technology Services. This is accomplished through active communication and information sharing across functions to ensure complementary assurance and compliance efforts and provide a comprehensive understanding of the College's system-wide risks
13. Responsible for other reasonable, related duties as assigned

• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Strong, working knowledge of Internal audit standards (IIA Global Standards) and internal control frameworks (COSO)
• Strong knowledge of risk management, governance frameworks, fraud detection, and higher education risks and trends
• Strong knowledge of financial controls
• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to effectively adapt to changing situations and needs
• Strong sense of ethical judgment
• Ability to effectively persuade and inspire others through strong communication, emotional intelligence, and trust-building
• Strong problem-solving abilities: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, and develop creative, practical solutions
• Crisis management abilities: ability to remain calm under pressure, quickly assess situations, make decisive actions, and effectively coordinate resources to resolve issues
• Agility in auditing by quickly adapting to changing regulations, efficiently identifying discrepancies, and delivering thorough, accurate assessments and solutions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, or standards that affect students, employees, or vendors, including various government and higher education industry standards or better practices
• Knowledge of how routine business processes should be integrated with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and administrative system functions, such as PeopleSoft, etc.
• Ability to gain support and confidence of senior management and the Board

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as classrooms, offices, meeting and training rooms, and libraries, College-owned vehicles. This requires use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

WORK SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS:

• Equipment used includes, PC workstation running on a LAN in a Microsoft Windows environment, calculator, phone, and other general office equipment
• Interface with internal and external contacts as needed to carry out the functions of the position
• Work is performed in a climate-controlled office with minimal exposure to safety hazards
• Position is based at the System Office and will also require travel to LSC campuses

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree, and at least 10 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience must include at least 3 years in a management-level position
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 10 years of auditing experience
• Experience with internal auditing in a higher education environment
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA), Certified Government Audit Professional (CGAP)

Hiring salary range is $156,000 - $179,400.

Lone Star College provides a hiring salary range for all posted full-time non-faculty positions. Where your salary offer would fall in that range is determined by your related experience and education. Should you receive an offer of employment from Lone Star College, the resume submitted in the application process will be utilized to calculate your salary offer. The information outlined below will provide the Office of Human Resources everything needed to determine an accurate starting salary.

Your resume should provide a complete picture of your work experience. The resume should include the following information for each position listed:

1. Length of time (specific months and years) of employment
2. If the position was full time or part time
3. If the position was paid or unpaid
4. Level of degree completed including date earned.
5. Unofficial transcript for highest earned degree

Additionally, any certifications listed as required or preferred in the Lone Star College job description should be included in the resume submitted.

By joining our top-notch institution, you will enjoy being a part of an organization that offers a supportive, collegial work environment and excellent work/life balance. This includes a full comprehensive and competitive benefits package, a generous number of paid holidays and vacation days, wellness programs, tuition waiver, professional development opportunities and more.

Go to the Job Search page, click on 'My Activities' at the top of the page. Under My Cover Letters and Attachments you will click on 'Add Attachment.' Please be sure to put the Job ID# in the title once you name your file for cover letters only, unless you attached your cover letter with your resume.

If you are applying for an Instructional position (i.e. Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Instructor), please ensure you include the following to be considered: Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Teaching Philosophy, and unofficial transcripts.

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ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE ONLY

We will not accept application material received via fax, email, mail, or hand delivered.

Postings for part-time and adjunct positions are active for the academic year. By selecting the option to receive notifications on your profile, you will begin receiving electronic communication regarding new opportunities with Lone Star College (LSC).

If selected for an interview, a recruiter will contact you by phone, or email to schedule an interview.

Lone Star College participates in the E-Verify program, under which Lone Star College provides the federal government with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm that the employee is authorized to work in the United States.

More information on the E-Verify program is available at www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Lone Star College is an EEO Employer. All positions are subject to a criminal background check.