"Executive Director of Audit Services"

The University of Michigan invites applications and nominations for the role of Executive Director of Audit Services.

Functioning as the university’s highest audit authority, the Executive Director has enterprise-wide responsibility for strategically planning, developing, recommending, and monitoring comprehensive internal audit procedures and systems across the entire University organization, including Michigan Medicine, athletics, and the campuses in Dearborn and Flint. The Executive Director reports administratively to the University President and functionally to the Finance, Audit and Investment (FAI) Committee of the Board of Regents.

The Audit Services team comprises 21 professional staff organized into three departments: Campus Operations, Information Technology, and Healthcare. These staff support the university with objective services to assess, assure, advise, and advocate for strong internal controls. These staff support the university with objective services to assess, assure, advise, and advocate for strong internal controls. Audit Services is an independent and objective unit at U-M that partners with schools, colleges, and departments to identify and manage risks and improve processes.

The Finance, Audit, and Investment Committee of the Board of Regents is an essential component of the internal control infrastructure of the university. Audit Services assists the Board of Regents, president, and university leadership in the discharge of their oversight, management, and operating responsibilities by providing objective assurance, advisory, and investigatory services to the university community.

The Executive Director will have the responsibility and authority to provide independent assurance on business operations, compliance, and resource management while conducting proactive audits and promoting effective internal controls across academic and administrative units. They will serve as a strategic business partner that reports findings and recommendations to senior leadership and the Board of Regents while managing audit personnel, budgets, and quality assurance programs. The role encompasses both oversight responsibilities and collaborative relationships to enhance the university's risk management and operational efficiency.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in business, accounting, finance or related field, with a master’s degree preferred. Outstanding leadership skills, and substantial audit management experience, preferably in higher education or similarly complex decentralized environments is required. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to lead comprehensive audit programs, design risk-based audit plans, and work effectively with diverse partners from Board of Regents to department directors while maintaining strong knowledge of professional audit frameworks like IIA and COSO. Essential qualifications include exceptional communication skills across all organizational levels, proven ability to build high-performing audit teams, and a deep understanding of university missions in education, research, healthcare, and service.

The full position description can be viewed here.

To Apply

The University of Michigan has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Senior Partner, Katie Dean, Partner, Kenna Boyd, Partner, and Senior Associates Abigail Maynard and Jeffrey Stafford are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be submitted by email to umich_audit@opuspartners.net. To be considered by the university’s search committee, candidates must provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.

Total compensation will be based on factors such as experience in a comparable role, skills, and qualifications. Information about U-M’s employee benefits is available here.

To view this opportunity on the U-M’s Career site please visit: https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/267686/executive-director-university-audit-services