Director, Internal Audit

Specific compensation will be based on candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, commercial considerations, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Russell Investments, salary is just one part of our compensation package. Our total rewards approach includes an annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility criteria) in addition to participation in our competitive benefits programs including healthcare, retirement, vacation, and wellbeing programs.

Every day, we seek to improve financial security for people. Joining the Operational Risk team means you will be a part of a passionate and supportive team that believes what we do matters to our clients and investors. Our Director of Internal Audit leads a global team of internal auditors to plan, perform, and lead audits, special projects, and consulting engagements. You will be responsible for establishing and administering audit procedures and practices, scheduling audits and managing audit resources accordingly, as well as, oversee the work of our co-sourcing partners engaged to assist our Internal Audit (IA) department.  

The Director of Internal Audit is responsible for leading the internal audit function, providing independent and objective assurance on the effectiveness of governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and internal controls. This role will be responsible for audit planning, execution, reporting, and issue follow-up across business units, including investment operations, technology, compliance, and corporate functions. The Director will work closely with Chief Auditor, senior management, and the Audit Committee to ensure the internal audit program meets regulatory expectations and industry best practices. 

Your Core Responsibilities:  

• Develop and execute the annual risk-based internal audit plan in alignment with the firm’s strategic priorities and regulatory obligations. 
• Lead and manage complex audit engagements, including scoping, fieldwork, issue identification, and reporting. 
• Provide strategic oversight of audits covering investment operations, technology, cybersecurity, operational risk, trading, compliance, and third-party/vendor risk. 
• Management of a team of Internal Auditors, setting high standards of excellence, timely execution, and accountability for performance. 
• Comfortable giving direct feedback, having difficult conversations and taking action when needed. 
• Recognizes and reinforces associate development efforts and progress. 
• Ensures associate understand how their goals and work relates to business unit strategy and goals. 
• Daily support, coaching and professional development for team members. 
• Manages performance and salary review appraisal conversations. 
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training new associates on the team. 
• Collaborate with global business unit managers to conduct regular and special audits for their areas.  
• Establish the direction and focus of all major audits and supervise the preparation of audit reports and recommendations. As appropriate, work with managers and leaders to implement recommended changes. 
• Audit activity may include evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the organization’s risk management controls, operating approaches, and governance processes. 
• Acts as a liaison with the organization's outside auditors 

Your Expertise:  

• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting or related field. Advanced degrees and certifications (e.g., CPA, CIA, CFA) are a plus. 
• 6-8+ years of experience working in internal audit or risk management functions.  
• Experience with leading a global team in a financial services or asset management firm. 
• Strong leadership presence as well as demonstrable people management skills. 
• Disciplined work ethic with a high standard of excellence for the team. 

Leadership Attributes:

• Results-oriented with the ability to effectively resolve/manage problems and competing priorities 
• The ability to build trust with others through commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards 
• Demonstrated record of confident leadership, sound judgment, creativity and commitment to achieving excellence 
• Inspires others and engenders followership; Skilled at getting individuals and teams to perform at a higher level and to embrace change; negotiates skillfully to achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision and is committed to what needs to be done  
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, and the ability to successfully multi-task 
• Bandwidth, energy and passion to support a global organization across multiple geographies  
• Excellence in communication skills and organizational savvy 
• An ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships at all levels both within and outside the firm, characterized by mutual respect, openness, and trust 
• A self-starter, self-motivated, self-disciplined, self-assured, and performance driven 
• A strategic and growth mindset; demonstrates a curiosity and openness to learn from experiences and failures. Seeks challenges, thinks creatively and tries new things, encouraging others to do the same through creating a safe team environment. 
• Drives a high performing team; creates a culture of excellence and high performance through vision and example. 

This role is not eligible for employment-based immigration sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

Russell Investments is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all associates and employment applicants regardless of race, religion, ancestry, creed, color, gender (including gender identity which refers to a person's actual or perceived sex, and includes self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not different from that traditionally associated with a person's biological sex), age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation,  past or present unemployment status , or any other characteristic protected by law.