Senior Director, Internal Audit, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Job Title

Senior Director, Internal Audit

Job Description Summary

This is a Senior Director role within the Internal Audit Department, reporting to the SVP, Head of Internal Audit & SOX. The role is responsible for providing risk and control leadership, leading audit teams and strategic initiatives, and helping advance Internal Audit into a more data-driven, AI-enabled function. This includes developing and executing a risk-based audit plan to assess and report on C&W's most significant financial, operational, and compliance risks while recommending practical, value-added improvements. The Senior Director will play a leadership role in expanding the use of AI, data analytics, automation, and full-population testing throughout the audit lifecycle. The successful candidate will be intellectually curious and comfortable leveraging emerging technologies to analyze large datasets, identify previously unforeseen risks, improve audit efficiency, and generate meaningful business insights. A successful candidate will develop strong relationships with leadership across functions, service lines, and regions and serve as a trusted advisor and catalyst for change. The ability to lead with confidence while maintaining independence and objectivity will be critical. The individual should combine strong audit and risk management judgment with an innovative mindset, analytical curiosity, and the ability to distinguish meaningful business risks from less significant issues. This individual will also be a visible leader within the global Finance organization. A demonstrated track record of leadership, collaboration, colleague development, and building a strong team culture is required. Of particular importance is the ability to teach and develop others so that AI, analytics, and emerging technology capabilities become embedded across the Internal Audit function rather than concentrated in individual subject matter experts.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Establish and maintain a dynamic, data-driven risk universe, long range audit plan, and risk assessment approach that aligns with C&W strategic objectives and industry standards
Lead the execution of financial, operational, and compliance audits with a strong focus on the risks and business issues most significant to C&W.
Develop audit standards and approach, partnering with key stakeholders on content and strategy
Drive the continued modernization of Internal Audit by embedding AI, data analytics, automation, and technology-enabled testing throughout audit planning, fieldwork, reporting, and continuous risk assessment.
Challenge traditional sample-based auditing where appropriate by developing repeatable, full-population testing methodologies that provide greater audit coverage and identify risks that may not be visible through conventional sampling.
Leverage large datasets and enterprise data platforms, including Databricks or comparable technologies, to identify financial, operational, compliance, fraud, and emerging risks and translate the results into actionable business insights.
Leverage generative AI and AI-assisted development tools, including ChatGPT, Codex, Python, or comparable technologies, to automate audit procedures, analyze complex datasets and documents, improve audit efficiency, and develop new approaches to risk identification.
Partner with Finance, Technology, and data teams to identify and obtain relevant transactional data and build reusable, audit-ready datasets and analytical routines that can be leveraged across multiple engagements.
Identify opportunities to extend analytics beyond individual audits by developing repeatable solutions that can support management monitoring, improve business processes, or identify opportunities for cost savings and operational improvement.
Manage audits with a collaborative tone, ensuring a constructive environment is maintained between the audit team and auditee
Establish and communicate recommendations to mitigate current and emerging internal and external risks, ensuring appropriate escalation and reporting of issues impacting operations to address strategic, business and compliance objectives.
Build strong relationships with business leaders and serve as a trusted advisor, providing practical insights that strengthen risk management, improve operational effectiveness, and identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings.
Provide fair and balanced insights into current, emerging and potential issues, trends and opportunities that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness or that present changing risk
Prepare periodic reports for management, stakeholders, and Audit Committee on significant issues related to internal control processes and provide information concerning such issues through resolution
Manage Audit Committee and Senior Management reporting and metrics
Recruit, coach and develop a high-performing internal audit team so they are ready to transition to roles of increasing responsibility across the C&W finance organization
Actively coach auditors on AI, data analytics, full-population testing, and emerging technologies through hands-on application during audit engagements, creating a culture of continuous learning and experimentation.
Ensure staff have career development plans that provide C&W with strong bench strength for future leaders and specialized individual contributors.
Deliver reviews and projects on time, within agreed budget, and in accordance with audit methodology standards promulgated by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Drive cross-functional assurance and compliance initiatives (such as risk assessments, monitoring approach) with other functions

REQUIREMENTS (Knowledge, Education and/or Experience):

Bachelor's Degree, preferably in business related major (accountancy, finance, business administration, management information systems, etc)
12+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or controllership, with experience at a public accounting firm or publicly-traded company, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
Expertise in technical accounting, internal audit, accounting processes and Sarbanes Oxley compliance,
Excellent project management skills
CPA, CIA, CISA, or comparable professional certification preferred.
Knowledge of professional audit standards, COSO framework, and risk assessment practices
Demonstrated practical experience using data analytics and emerging technologies to improve audit coverage, identify risks, and generate business insights.
Strong understanding of generative AI and its practical application to audit, risk management, analytics, automation, or business process improvement.
Experience working with large datasets and performing full-population analysis; experience with Databricks, Python, SQL, Power BI, or comparable data and analytics platforms is highly desirable.
Experience leveraging AI-assisted coding or development tools such as Codex to automate analytical procedures is desirable
Knowledge of IT General Controls standards a plus

ABILITY TO:

Manage across various teams and deliverables, executing to deadlines
Translate complex data and analytics into clear business insights that can be understood by senior executives and non-technical stakeholders.
Identify opportunities where AI, analytics, and automation can materially improve audit quality, efficiency, or business outcomes and convert those opportunities into practical solutions.
Apply strong business judgment when evaluating audit observations and prioritize issues based on financial, operational, compliance, and reputational significance to the organization.
Teach and inspire team members to adopt emerging technologies and new ways of working.
Coach and mentor colleagues and guide career development planning
Build strong relationships with stakeholders
Problem-solve collaboratively, identify root causes, and recommend practical improvements.
Demonstrate strong analytical, accounting, audit, and critical-thinking skills.

MUST HAVE STRENGTHS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize, follow-through, and manage multiple tasks, responsibilities, and deadlines
Curiosity and willingness to experiment with emerging technologies and challenge traditional audit methodologies.
Ability to connect data, risk, and business context to identify insights that may not be apparent through traditional audit procedures.
Self-starter with flexibility, desire, and eagerness to take ownership of related tasks and responsibilities in order to keep the project on schedule
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
Strong people leadership skills and a passion for developing high-performing teams and future Finance leaders.

THIS ROLE WILL ENABLE A SUCCESSFUL COLLEAGUE:

To develop a strong understanding of C&W's most significant business processes, risks, and controls.
To help shape the future of Internal Audit through the continued adoption of AI, data analytics, automation, and emerging technologies.
To build a strong global, cross-functional network across C&W's Finance and business organizations.
To develop broad professional, technical, and business capabilities in a culture where mentoring, coaching, and career development are priorities.

WORKING CONDITIONS and/or PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Located in Chicago, IL
Hybrid work model when not traveling – 3 days per week in office.
Ability to travel 10 – 30% as needed.

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 191,250.00 - $225,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email Accommodations@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”