Senior Lead Auditor

The Senior Lead Auditor is an expert-level professional within the Internal Audit team, responsible for evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls and processes across the organization. This role leads the most complex and high-risk audit engagements from start to finish with minimal to no supervision, ensuring that all audit activities consistently meet the highest quality standards in accordance with Global Internal Audit Standards and relevant assurance frameworks.

As a highly self-sufficient and initiative-taking leader, the Senior Lead Auditor makes independent decisions in the field, drives audit planning and risk assessment, and identifies emerging risks and opportunities for improvement. This role is pivotal in shaping the future of audit by integrating advanced analytics, AI, and automation into audit methodology, driving continuous improvement, and mentoring the next generation of auditors - guiding them in audit methodology, professional best practices, and fostering a culture of excellence, trust, and integrity.

While based in Houston, this role involves participating in audit assignments across our global company. Travel to domestic and international locations up to 20% per year. International trips typically last up to three weeks. This position may also require overtime at times.

Lead Complex Audits: Plan, lead, and execute high-risk audit engagements (operational, financial, compliance, ESG, fraud, and advisory) independently, from scoping to reporting. Ensure audit objectives are achieved and recommendations are actionable, maintaining the highest quality standards and compliance with professional audit frameworks. Demonstrate ownership of audit results and proactively follow up on audit findings to ensure effective remediation by management. Apply end-to-end process mapping and flowcharting to visualize risks and controls, enabling comprehensive risk mitigation strategies throughout the audit lifecycle.
Agile and Adaptive Audit Methodologies: Apply agile audit approaches, enabling rapid response to emerging risks, iterative audit cycles, and flexible resource allocation. Continuously adapt audit plans and methodologies to evolving business needs and risk landscapes.
Audit Planning and Risk Assessment: Support audit planning and risk assessment, identifying emerging risks and recommending areas of focus for the annual audit plan. Leverage data and AI-driven insights to optimize risk-based planning and coordinate with ERM and business partners.
Continuous Improvement: Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives within the audit function to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of audit processes and tools. Champion innovation, automation, and adoption of best practices.
Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory: Advise the Leadership Team (LT) and business partners, craft decision-ready narratives, and communicate audit plans, progress, and findings with clarity and impact. Maintain a professional relationship with auditees, addressing concerns and facilitating a cooperative audit environment while maintaining auditor independence. Act as a strategic advisor, guiding business units on risk mitigation, value creation, and process optimization. Collaborate through aligned assurance with other risk and compliance functions to place reliance on existing controls and avoid duplication of efforts, strengthening integrated risk coverage.
Workpaper Review and Reporting: Ensure audit workpapers prepared by the team are comprehensive, accurate, and compliant with Internal Audit standards. Deliver clear, concise audit reports and presentations that effectively communicate findings, implications, and actionable recommendations to senior management and key stakeholders.
Global Perspective: Lead and participate in audit assignments across global locations, understanding cross-border regulations, cultural nuances, and international risk landscapes.
Data and Technology Leadership: Set standards for data literacy and visualization; ensure the ability to query, analyze, and present data effectively to drive impactful audit outcomes.Prioritize automation and continuous assurance, measuring impact and integrating with GRC/controls platforms.Define safe-use policy for AI in audit, review model risk, and ensure responsible AI governance.
Audit Methodology and Value Creation: Risk-Based Planning and Scoping: Optimizes plan using data, coordinates with ERM.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree (MBA, MS, etc.) is a plus.
• 8+ years of progressive audit/business experience, including leading complex audit projects independently. Experience in a Big 4 accounting firm or large corporate internal audit department is preferred.
• Professional certification (CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, CRMA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, Excel, and audit/data analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Celonis); knowledge of SAP or equivalent systems desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in analytical thinking, AI, data literacy, critical problem-solving, agile and risk based auditing, and business acumen.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication skills; ability to guide teams and execute audit projects globally.
• Experience with ESG, data analytics, and automation is highly valued.
• Excellent communication skills; initiative-taking, adaptable, and able to work independently.