Overview
This role involves leading the Internal Audit function for a newly established Industrial Loan Company (ILC) bank. Reporting directly to the Bank’s Audit Committee, the Head of Internal Audit will be a key member of the bank’s leadership team responsible for designing and executing a risk-based internal audit program. The program will provide independent assurance to the Board of Directors, Audit Committee, and senior management on governance, risk management, and internal controls.
The position requires developing the audit infrastructure during the bank’s de novo phase and evolving it post-launch to meet FDIC and state regulatory expectations for deposit and lending sponsorship businesses. Collaboration with Risk, Compliance, Operations, and Finance teams is essential to ensure comprehensive audit coverage and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive, risk-based internal audit program aligned with the bank’s strategy and regulatory requirements.
- Develop the audit charter, policies, procedures, and methodology to ensure independence and objectivity.
- Oversee the creation and execution of the annual audit plan based on risk assessments and evolving business conditions.
- Partner with audit counterparts to manage third and fourth party risk.
- Lead and conduct audits across key functional areas.
- Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes.
- Provide independent recommendations for control enhancements, process improvements, and risk mitigation.
- Oversee documentation, issue tracking, and follow-up of audit findings to ensure timely resolution.
- Report directly to the Audit Committee, providing regular updates on audit results, trends, and emerging risks.
- Prepare materials for Board and committee meetings to ensure transparency and actionable insights.
- Serve as liaison with external auditors, examiners, and regulators, coordinating responses to findings or requests.
- Support the Audit Committee in fulfilling oversight responsibilities related to risk, control, and audit.
- Collaborate with executive management to evaluate risk management and internal control frameworks.
- Advise management on control design and efficiency while maintaining audit independence.
- Support integration of risk-based thinking and control discipline across all departments.
- Identify opportunities to enhance governance and control maturity during early-stage bank development.
- Lead the design and documentation of the Internal Audit framework as part of the de novo application process.
- Establish audit coverage for pre-opening activities including policy development, system implementation, and vendor onboarding.
- Develop readiness assessments and Board materials to support FDIC and state regulatory reviews.
- Build and train an audit function capable of scaling as the bank grows post-launch.
Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years of internal audit, risk management, or control experience in a regulated banking environment.
- Proven experience establishing or leading an internal audit program for an FDIC-supervised institution.
- Strong understanding of lending-sponsorship banking and consumer deposits; experience with a lending-sponsor bank or ILC preferred.
- Knowledge of FDIC examination processes and interagency audit guidance preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to assess risk, communicate effectively with senior management and the Board, and deliver practical audit insights.
- Experience managing internal and co-sourced audit relationships.
- Exceptional integrity, judgment, and attention to detail.
Core Competencies
- Deep understanding of risk assessment, internal controls, and audit standards.
- Ability to design and execute a scalable, risk-based audit program.
- Strong collaboration skills with management while maintaining independence and objectivity.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
- Strategic thinker capable of identifying control gaps and operational improvement opportunities.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Pay Grade: S
Equity Grade: 14
Base pay is part of a total compensation package that may include monthly stipends for health, wellness, and technology spending, as well as benefits including 100% subsidized medical coverage, dental, and vision for employees and their dependents. Employees may also be eligible for equity rewards offered by the parent company.
USA Pacific base pay range (CA, WA, NY, NJ, CT) per year: $245,000 - $325,000
USA Sapphire base pay range (all other U.S. states) per year: $217,000 - $297,000
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Location
This is a remote-first position within the United States. Employees can work from almost anywhere within their country of employment. Some roles may require occasional work from an assigned office depending on job responsibilities.
Benefits Highlights
- Health care coverage with all premiums covered for employees and dependents.
- Flexible spending stipends for technology, food, lifestyle needs, and family forming expenses.
- Competitive vacation and holiday schedules.
- Employee stock purchase plan enabling purchase of shares at a discount.
Additional Information
Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the hiring process. The employer complies with applicable fair chance hiring ordinances for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records where applicable.