Senior Director of Cyber/IT Audit

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As the Senior Director of Internal Audit, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the internal audit organization's mission to be a best in class audit function that adds value and improves operations by providing independent and objective assurance. You will have a focus on enhancing the cybersecurity, technology and information security control environments, improving audit effectiveness, and increasing risk coverage through systematic evaluation of processes and systems. This role seeks a visionary leader with a proven track record in evaluating and strengthening internal controls, processes, and risk management frameworks. You will be responsible for directing and overseeing an audit team conducting comprehensive audits, enhancing audit efficiency, and providing assurance on risk mitigation strategies. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the Cybersecurity/Technology Internal Audit team. This includes planning, executing, and reporting on audits that assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the company's internal controls, risk management, governance, and compliance processes. This role reports directly to the Associate Vice President of Internal Audit Technology.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Direct the development and execution of risk-based annual audit plans for your respective business units, evaluating the audit work program to ensure a strong scope and testing approach that aligns with industry best practices, company objectives, and addresses key risk areas.

• Collaborate with executive and senior leaders within your respective business units and across the organization to ensure audit plans align with strategic business objectives and provide valuable risk assurance in an agile manner. Continuously enhance the plan as needed to deliver the highest value.

• Create an environment that encourages personal and professional development, fostering a culture of leadership and continuous improvement within the team, providing guidance and opportunities for professional growth, with a focus on fostering leadership capabilities of your direct reports and empowering them to excel in their roles and drive the team’s success.

• Responsible for overall management of team performance, including hiring, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and career development.

• Empower the use of analytics, operational excellence, and technology in audit procedures to improve the overall audit proficiency, effectiveness and efficiency of the team.

• Oversee the execution of operational audits and collaborate on technology-based audits, ensuring compliance with professional standards and adherence to established methodologies.

• Direct the team in the evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, identifying and assessing potential risks and their impact on the business.

• Guide the team in the development of practical and value-added recommendations to strengthen internal controls, improve operational efficiency, and mitigate risks within the business unit.

• Proactively and timely communicate with executive leaders on audit plans, status, and priority findings ensuring transparency and open dialogue, including leading quarterly discussions with executive leaders.

• Provide final review of comprehensive and insightful audit reports for senior management, ensuring reports effectively communicate findings, risks, and recommendations.

• Ensure adequate follow-up on action plans associated with high priority observations.

• Establish and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with critical stakeholders and executive leaders throughout the business unit and the wider organization.

• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, guiding the business unit in navigating emerging risks and trends by providing insights and recommendations to executive and senior leadership that result in the development of proactive risk mitigation strategies.

• Collaborate with first, second, and fourth lines of defense to ensure comprehensive risk coverage.

• Oversee the use of QAIP (Quality Assurance and Improvement Program) results across the internal audit organization to identify and implement areas of improvement in the audit process.

• Ensure appropriate team compositions are in place to support cybersecurity/technology focused audits as well as integrated audits.

• Offering guidance in legal, ethical, and security investigations of compliance issues.

• Champion the identification and execution of strategic audit initiatives that align with internal audit’s goals and objectives.

• Champion the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs), aligning them with strategic objectives and initiatives, and implementing the vision of the Senior Vice President/Chief Audit Executive by introducing and monitoring new KPIs.

Where You’ll Be Working...

This hybrid role will have a defined work location that includes work from home and assigned office days as set by Verizon’s senior leadership.

What we're looking for…

Your exceptional leadership abilities and strategic vision as a Senior Director will play a vital role in the cybersecurity/technology audit department's success. You will lead a team of highly skilled professionals, set the department's direction, and ensure expectations are met. Creating a positive and productive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated is essential to your success. A clear understanding of the organization's mission and values will enable you to articulate a compelling vision for the future.

In addition to leadership skills, a deep understanding of the industry and competitive landscape is crucial. Your ability to identify opportunities and threats, as well as develop strategies to capitalize on opportunities and mitigate risks, is paramount. Strong communication skills are essential to effectively share your ideas and plans with leadership. You should be an adept problem solver, able to find innovative solutions to complex challenges.

You'll need to have:

As a senior leader in the internal audit department, the following are key: 

• A Bachelor's degree Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology (IT), Information Systems, or a related field. 

• A minimum of ten years of progressive experience conducting and overseeing audits focused in cybersecurity and technology, with at least four years in a management role.

• Proficiency in industry frameworks and standards, including NIST Cyber Security Framework, COBIT, ISO 27001/27002, and CIS Security Controls.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, marked by critical thinking and sound judgment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences across all organizational levels.

• Experienced in leading discussions and building solid, trustworthy relationships with executive leaders and various business stakeholders by building rapport, trust, and confidence towards internal audit.

• Exhibited proficiency in leadership, encompassing robust judgment, adept problem-solving, and effective decision-making capabilities.

• Seasoned people leader with a proven track record of effectively managing and fostering the growth of teams while developing talent, promoting career growth, and inspiring team members at all levels.

• A proven ability to influence others and drive positive organizational change.

• Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time.

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Master's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field.

• 4+ years of experience with leading teams of 5 or more individuals as direct reports.

• Professional certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), GIAC Certifications, ICS-2, CompTIA, Cybersecurity Practitioner Certification (CSX-P), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

• Experience in Information Technology audits, Security & Privacy Services, SOC Audits, Business Process Controls, IT Risk Management, SOX Advisory, or other Technology or audit compliance-related work.

• Experience working in the telecommunications industry or a similarly regulated environment.

• A proven track record of successfully leading and managing complex audits.

• Prior work experience in a Public Accounting environment specializing in cybersecurity and technology based audits.

• Experience with developing audit test approaches utilizing the full suite of audit proficiencies (i.e., technology, operations, and analytics).

• The ability to review and/or perform data queries and executive summary data visualizations using SQL, Google Data Studio, Tableau, Alteryx, Qlik, or similar tools.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

Equal Employment Opportunity 

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer - and celebrate our employees’ differences, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, and Veteran status. At Verizon, we know that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages authenticity and fosters a sense of belonging. We strive for everyone to feel valued, connected, and empowered to reach their potential and contribute their best. Check out our diversity and inclusion page to learn more.