Internal Audit Director/Chief Audit Officer

The Internal Audit Director/Chief Audit Officer provides strategic oversight of the internal audit function, aligning it with the Laboratory’s mission and strategic objectives and serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, delivering assurance that compliance processes are transparent, efficient, and in accordance with relevant regulations, sharing risk management insights, and advisory services to enhance governance and operational effectiveness.  This role reports functionally to the Argonne Board of Governors and the Chief Executive Officer of UChicago Argonne, LLC and administratively to the Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations/Chief Operating Officer.  

Major responsibilities include:

• Develops and executes an internal audit strategy, considering particularly the method of auditing costs incurred and internal controls assessment in the performance of Argonne’s Prime Contract with the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”). 

• With a staff of trained internal auditors supplemented by outside subject matter experts as necessary, oversees the execution of internal financial, operational, and information systems audits, in accordance with Argonne’s Prime Contract and existing internal audit professional standards.

• Prepares and executes a comprehensive, risk based annual internal audit plan approved by the Board of Governors Audit Committee and DOE's site office

• Prepares and delivers regular reports to the Board of Governors Audit Committee as to the adequacy of the staffing of the internal audit function, identification of organizational risks potentially subject to audit, strength and adherence to internal controls, the status of completion of the approved internal audit plan, the nature of significant internal audit findings, and timeliness of the implementation of internal audit recommendations. 

• Serves as liaison between Argonne management, the University of Chicago’s Office of National Laboratories, the DOE's site office and other agencies authorized to audit the Laboratory, primarily the DOE Office of Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office (U.S. GAO). 

• Participates as a member of Argonne’s extended leadership team, providing insight into emerging risks, internal controls adequacy, internal and external audit plans focus and other assurance activities.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a business discipline and 15+ years of experience in all aspects of financial, operational, and information systems, along with all organizational disciplines including internal and external auditing in a major accounting firm, a highly-regulated multi-national company or a National Laboratory, accounting, budgeting, procurement, inventory control, long and short-range planning, system design and development, personnel, etc.

• Designation as a Certified Public Accountant and/or Certified Internal Auditor.

• Strong track record of leadership, management and supervision of teams with the ability to set and sustain high performance standards with a focus on employee development and team building.

• Ability to assess the long-term goals of the organization and align internal audit activities with the overall strategic objectives.

• Strong risk management focus, including the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of potential risks across the laboratory operations. 

• Federal contracting experience including familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards, Truth Cost or Pricing Data Act, Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, indirect rates and cost pool allocations and Global Internal Audit Standards as well as key federal government compliance areas, including billing, timekeeping, purchasing, material management, government property, and conflicts of interest.

• Subject matter expertise on highly technical federal government accounting, regulatory, and business system related issues.

• Strong commitment to ethical standards and maintaining integrity, confidentiality, and objectivity in all audit processes.  Proven ability to make unbiased and ethical decisions, even in challenging situations.

• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with proven experience to clearly and effectively communicate audit results, risks, and recommendations to senior management, board of governors, other external stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.

• Skilled at building relationships with key internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, scientists, engineers, and external auditors.  Able to engage diverse stakeholders in discussions around audit findings, facilitating effective and timely resolution of audit issues.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage advanced technologies, including sampling methodology, audit management systems, data visualization tools, and AI-driven insights.

• Demonstrated excellent judgment and analytical skills with ability to formulate effective plans, manage project portfolio, and efficiently implement.

• Adaptability in managing change, especially in a dynamic, research-driven environment.

• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations, including OMB Circular A-123.

• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.

• This position is mostly on-site and requires the ability to maintain a minimum of three-day per week on-site presence at the Argonne National Laboratory site. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Designation as a Certified Fraud Examiner

• Designation as a Certified Information Systems Auditor

• MBA

• Experience with different types of federal contracts

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Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.