"Director Internal Audit"

Job Details

Department: Audit Department

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range from $108,000-140,000/yr, negotiated based on qualifications

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8a-5p

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Because in a world of rapid change, strong controls are the quiet superpower.
This role sits at the intersection of trust, accountability, and collaboration, helping ensure the university’s financial ecosystem remains strong, compliant, and forward-thinking. If you’re someone who enjoys connecting the dots between policy, people, and practice and who can explain complex financial concepts without sounding like a spreadsheet, this may be your next move.

Thrivers in this role:

• Proactive, visible, and genuinely invested in the institution, not someone who stays behind the scenes unless necessary.
• Strong internal control mindset, with the confidence to advocate for best practices.
• Analytical strength paired with approachability, solution focused without being rigid.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of tailoring complex financial topics to diverse audiences.
• Comfortable presenting and facilitating conversations with leadership and cross-functional teams.
• A natural inclination to build relationships across campus and stay engaged with what’s happening.
• The ability to see both the big picture and some of the operational details, especially when assessing financial risk.

How your impact is visible:

• Organizational Culture: Position provides an opportunity to impact the organizational culture by both acknowledging the University's past and helping to chart its future.
• Governance, Institutional Policy, and Legislation: Position allows for impacting the guidelines that determine how we operate.
• Institutional Leadership: Position provides the opportunity to provide leadership across the institution. Leading by example and supporting teams throughout.
• Institutional Infrastructure: Position allows for taking part in the development of foundational aspects, including the establishment of a strategic plan, financial and facilities management, accreditation, and technology planning.

Job Summary

Provides leadership and strategic direction for the University's internal audit function while remaining consistent with the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Internal Audit Function Policy. Serves as an independent assurance and advisor for the University's risk, governance and control processes.

Essential Functions

Directs internal audits focusing on financial, operational and compliance aspects. Interviews, advises and negotiates with mid to executive level of management, which may include the governing board when necessary. Evaluates current risk management, control and governance processes and suggests potential improvements. Consults and advises faculty, staff and administrators regarding operational and administrative matters including business practices, internal controls and process improvements. Performs individual audit, investigative or advisory engagements. Analyzes data relating to operations, programs, processes and other functions being audited. Prepares working papers to document audit scope, procedures performed, conclusions reached and the results of findings and/or observations. Prepares audit reports and memorandums to summarize and convey audit results. Establishes audit plans and objectives to ensure that staff time is used effectively. Reviews audit working papers for clarity, accuracy and completeness. Coordinates internal auditing activities with external parties.

Job Duties

Engage stakeholders across the university in guidance, education & presented risks associated.
Provide leadership related to functional area.

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field
• Six (6) years of experience in auditing or related field, with two (2) years of experience in a leadership role

Required License/Certifications/Training:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret data.
• Ability to work cooperatively with all levels of the organization is required.
• Work with little supervision, to meet deadlines and solve problems, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Demonstrated knowledge to plan, implement, and lead the internal audit within a complex, decentralized, and diverse organization, including the ability to recommend and assist in the implementation of risk-based internal controls across the institution.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance principles and practices.
• Knowledge of project management principles.
• Skilled in independent decision making
• Maintain professional composure in emergent situations
• Adapt to shifting priorities, while still being able to meet deadlines, providing follow up to stakeholders throughout.

Additional Information:

N/A

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.

Additional Physical Requirement: