SENIOR DIRECTOR, AUDIT

Serves as an independent and objective internal advocate for effective and efficient policies, practices, and internal controls; a resource to management for providing insight about opportunities for improvement and for complying with applicable rules, regulations and laws; and a resource to the Metro Board to help ensure that public funds and assets are used properly and effectively by Metro. The position directs the planning, development and operations of the Performance Audit function within Management Audit Services, including oversight of its programs, policies, procedures, and personnel. The role leads the agency's wide risk assessment process that informs the Annual Audit Plan. The position is also responsible for enhancing and maintaining the unit's quality control system to ensure all audit activities meet applicable auditing standards.

Recruitment Timelines

Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of August 24, 2026 . These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

• Plans, develops, implements, evaluates, and directs the activities, programs, policies, procedures, and personnel of the Internal Audit Unit
• Ensures that audit work performed by assigned staff and reports comply with departmental policies and procedures and meet applicable auditing standards
• Directs the Contract Audit function, including timely completion of pre-award, incurred cost, and close-out audits of contracts for construction, Architecture and Engineering (A&E), professional services, and other Metro contractor or consultant proposals for new or changed work
• Directs the Performance Audit function, including timely completion of audits for process improvement, reliability of financial and operational information, adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, information system controls, and efficiency and effectiveness of operations
• Directs the Financial and Compliance Audit function, including timely completion of legally mandated audits, grant audits, and other regulatory compliance audits
• Directs the Follow-Up Unit for timely completion of corrective actions to audit findings
• Monitors the work efforts of assigned staff to ensure progress is achieved
• Coordinates audits performed by external auditors
• Assists the Chief Auditor with strategic planning for the department and monitors completion of annual audit plan and the department's adherence to its quality control system
• Participates in the performance of agency-wide risk assessment and preparation of annual audit plan
• Advocates for strong internal controls and risk management practices within the organization
• Recommends improvements to enhance internal quality processes
• Assists in the development of high impact audit reports
• Ensures that applicable laws, rules, and regulations are followed, and resources are effectively managed
• Collaborates with management in identifying solutions to issues
• Prepares and presents reports and recommendations to management and the Board of Directors
• Serves as audit liaison to outside governmental agencies and funding sources
• Represents Metro at meetings, conferences, and public events
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's degree - Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Economics, Finance, or a related field

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience conducting internal audits in a public or governmental entity

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

• Experience leading or coordinating external peer reviews and internal quality self-assessment programs under the Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) and/or the Global Internal Audit Standards (Red Book).
• Experience leading audit teams on complex performance audits while managing staff performance to maximize overall project impact while meeting deadlines.
• Experience leading the design, development, and execution of an agency-wide risk assessment to build an annual audit plan.
• Experience designing and implementing audit programs that integrate data analytics for large, complex data sets.

Knowledge of

(defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of compliance, financial, contracts, and performance audits
• Theories, principles, and practices of Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and Information System Audit Standards
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public agencies and use of public funds
• Applicable Acquisition Regulations and Cost Accounting Standards
• Project management best practices
• Research and statistical methods, and program evaluation
• Internal controls and accountability required of large public agencies
• Risk management concepts
• Research practices and techniques
• Negotiation practices and techniques
• Modern management theory
• Applicable computer business software applications

Skill in

• Planning, organizing, and directing the work of a large-scale audit function
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Establishing and implementing policies and procedures
• Analyzing complex situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions and solving problems in a stressful environment
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees and outside representatives
• Supervising, training, coaching, mentoring, and motivating assigned staff

Ability to

• Think and act independently
• Set priorities and meet precision and productivity requirements
• Compile and analyze complex data
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Represent Metro before the public
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Make financial decisions within a budget
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority

Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required