Sr. Manager, Internal Audit, Forensics Investigations

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.Description The Forensics Senior Manager will lead and execute complex, high-risk forensic investigations across the Americas (North America and LATAM), with responsibility for selected investigations in EMEA, as needed. This role is investigation-heavy and hands-on, focused on bribery and corruption, asset misappropriation, and corruption-related fraud within a global retail and manufacturing environment. The Director serves as the company’s forensic investigations expert, managing matters from allegation intake through resolution, while partnering closely with Internal Audit, Legal, Finance, HR, and Compliance. Fluency in English and Spanish is required to conduct interviews, manage cross-border investigations, and communicate findings effectively. The key roles and responsibilities of this position: Forensic Investigations • Lead, manage, and oversee complex forensic investigations involving: Bribery and corruption, asset misappropriation and corruption-related and financial fraud schemes.• Drive investigations end-to-end, including scoping, evidence preservation, data analysis, interviews, root-cause analysis, and conclusions.• Oversee investigations across the Americas and selected high-risk or sensitive matters in EMEA.• Conduct and supervise interviews of employees, management, and third parties in English and Spanish (preferred).• Ensure investigations are conducted in a legally defensible, timely, and confidential manner. Reporting & Executive / Committee Presentations• Prepare comprehensive investigation reports, executive summaries, and risk assessments for senior management.• Prepare materials and present investigation findings, conclusions, and remediation recommendations to the Ethics & Compliance Committee and the Audit Committee, as required and respond to committee questions and provide ongoing updates on investigation status, trends, and remediation progress. External Consultants & Investigation Cost Management• Select, manage, and oversee external forensic consultants, eDiscovery providers, and outside counsel engaged in investigations.• Define investigation scope, timelines, and deliverables for external providers.• Manage investigation budgets, monitor and control costs, and ensure efficient use of external resources. Collaboration with Internal Audit• Work in close partnership with the Internal Audit team to receive and triage allegations and audit-identified red flags, transition audit findings into formal investigations when warranted and share investigation insights to inform audit planning and fraud risk assessments• Provide forensic expertise to Internal Audit during audits involving suspected fraud or corruption.• Support Internal Audit in evaluating control breakdowns, root causes, and remediation actions following investigations. Stakeholder Partnership & Case Management• Maintain strong, trusted partnerships with Legal, Finance, HR, Compliance, and Internal Audit throughout the investigation lifecycle.• Coordinate closely with Legal and HR on employee matters, disciplinary actions, regulatory exposure, and potential disclosures.• Partner with Finance on financial analysis, transaction reviews, and control remediation.• Serve as a primary advisor to senior leadership on investigation strategy, findings, and risk implications. Fraud Risk & Prevention • Use investigation outcomes to identify systemic control weaknesses and emerging fraud and corruption risks.• Recommend practical remediation and fraud prevention measures based on investigation findings.• Contribute investigation insights to fraud risk assessments and anti-bribery and corruption program enhancements.Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.• Professional certifications strongly preferred (CPA, CFE, CIA, or equivalent).• Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal) – preferred.• 7+ years of forensic investigation, fraud, or corruption risk experience, with a strong emphasis on hands-on investigation leadership.• Deep knowledge of anti-bribery and corruption laws (FCPA, UK Bribery Act) and fraud schemes relevant to retail and manufacturing.• Proven experience leading cross-border investigations and managing external consultants and investigation budgets.• Experience presenting to senior executives and board-level committees strongly preferred.• Retail and/or manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred. Skills & Competencies• Expert-level investigative skills, including interviewing, evidence evaluation, and executive-level report writing.• Strong executive presence and ability to communicate complex issues to board-level audiences.• Excellent collaboration and relationship-management skills with Internal Audit, Legal, Finance, and HR.• High degree of discretion, independence, and professional judgment.• Ability to manage multiple high-priority investigations simultaneously.• Willingness to travel internationally as required.Pay Range: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $120,550.00 to $208,200.00. Exact salary depends on several factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program as well as participation in the share incentive plan. In addition, In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a highly competitive bonus program with the possibility for overachievement based on performance and company results. In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance), wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by the company. Equal Opportunity Employer It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Michigan Applicants: Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for employment must notify the company in writing of the need for an accommodation within 182 days after the date the person with a disability knew or reasonably should have known that an accommodation was needed. Philadelphia Applicants: Philadelphia's Fair Chance Hiring Law Rhode Island Applicants: The company is subject to chapters 29-38 of title 28 of the general laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.