"Chief Audit Executive"

Position Title: Chief Audit Executive

Location: Norman, Oklahoma

Department: University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Position Type: Staff

Qualifications

Professional Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in accounting, business, public administration, or a related field strongly preferred.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) required; CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) or equivalent certification preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, enterprise risk management, financial controls, or regulatory oversight, including at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Experience reporting directly to a governing board or audit committee is highly preferred, as is experience with state agencies or educational institutions.
• Demonstrated success in building and developing high-performing audit teams.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex environments (e.g., health care, sponsored research, IT, financial aid) is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

The next CAE will be a seasoned, strategic, and ethical audit leader who is:

• A strategic thinker who embraces innovation in risk assessment, data-informed auditing, and internal controls.
• Adept at navigating complex, public-facing institutions with political and regulatory sensitivities.
• A trusted advisor who offers insight-driven solutions, not just problem identification.
• An effective communicator with the ability to deliver difficult messages constructively and impartially, to garner cooperation, and to foster collaboration across all levels.
• A leader of impeccable integrity, discretion, and sound judgment, capable of operating confidently, confidentially and transparently in board-level conversations, offering assurance and honesty.
• Committed to continuous improvement, transparency, and the advancement of institutional excellence.

This Executive position is on-site at the Norman Campus and is not eligible for remote work. This position requires frequent travel to multiple locations in Oklahoma, with a 25% travel expectation for meetings and site visits.

Description

Position Summary

The Board of Regents governing, the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University, and Rogers State University seek a strategic, ethical, and forward-thinking Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to lead its internal audit function. This executive role provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services across the University of Oklahoma system, including the Norman Campus, Tulsa Campus, Health Campus, Rogers State University, and Cameron University.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal advisor to the Board of Regents and executive leadership on matters of auditing and internal controls.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with university leadership, external auditors, and compliance partners.
• Develop and execute a dynamic, risk-based audit strategy aligned with systemwide goals and the strategic plans of each institution. Develop an annual audit plan for each system entity based upon an accepted risk assessment methodology and approved by the Board of Regents. Establish audit priorities, staffing levels, and time frames for scheduling, including assurance audits, consulting services, investigative engagements, and follow-up of prior recommendations.
• Anticipate and address emerging risks, including IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and financial challenges, in consultation with executive leaders as appropriate.
• Conduct and supervise Internal Audit investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse with discretion and integrity.
• Deliver clear, actionable audit reports and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing audit team with expertise across diverse operational areas and campuses.
• Represent Internal Audit on university and campus committees and task forces, providing subject matter expertise and strategic insight.
• Ensure adherence to the Internal Audit Charter and professional standards as approved by the Board of Regents governing, the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University, and Rogers State University.

SALARY RANGE - Commensurate with education and experience

Application Instructions

Qualified applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae and a list of at least three references. For inquiries, please email Mackenzie Murphy-Wilfong at mwilfong@ou.edu.

Apply Now