VP, Internal Audit

Job Description Summary

As the VP, Internal Audit, you’ll serve as a strategic executive leader overseeing Nationwide’s enterprise‑wide internal audit framework across Business units and corporate functions. You’ll help reinforce a resilient, forward‑looking risk and control posture that supports sound risk‑taking, regulatory compliance and sustainable financial performance. You will shape the internal audit strategy, relationships with senior leadership, the Audit Committee and external stakeholders, and the development of IA talent.

You will accomplish this by leading Internal Audit strategy for the use of cutting‑edge technologies, such as AI, process intelligence and advanced analytics.

• Leads the planning and execution of a multi‑year, risk‑based internal audit strategy across Nationwide’s Property & Casualty (P&C), Nationwide Financial (NF) and Corporate portfolios.
• Ensures alignment to enterprise risk appetite, regulatory expectations, IIA Standards, and Audit Committee and Senior Management priorities.
• Directs the coordination of assurance and advisory work across AVP and Senior Director portfolios to avoid duplication and deliver integrated coverage with a strong emphasis on digital auditing techniques.
• Oversees the development, approval and ongoing refresh of the annual and multi‑year audit plan, including risk assessments, operational and financial risk analysis, and audit prioritization.
• Ensures timely and effective reporting to the Audit Committee, Executive Leadership Team and senior business leaders, including clear communication of key themes, emerging risks, issue trends and management response effectiveness.
• Serves as primary day‑to‑day IA faceoff to business and corporate SVPs/EVPs and interactions with the Audit Committee, regulators, rating agencies and others.
• Aggregates and aligns work across Business Assurance, Business Advisory, Third Party Operations, and Digital Auditing Insights to provide holistic, domain‑based coverage (operations, financial, strategic, technology, digital).
• Oversees IA’s reliance strategy on first‑ and second‑line risk partners to enhance coverage, reduce audit fatigue and leverage subject matter expertise.
• Ensures IA methodology, tools and quality assurance practices conform to IIA Standards and leading practices. Prepares organization for successful Internal & External Quality Assurance Reviews.
• Translates strategy into action by organizing work, setting clear expectations and ensuring the organization’s readiness for change in methodology, technology and organizational design.
• Ensures the right balance of assurance and advisory skills, generalist and specialist expertise, and business, risk and technology experience across the team. Leads and develops a high‑performing team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

SVP, Internal Audit (Chief Audit Executive). Leads a team of four direct reports and approximately 40 indirect reports.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Risk Management, Information Systems or a related field; advanced degree (e.g., MBA or relevant master’s) preferred.

License/Certification/Designation: Professional certifications such as CIA, CPA, CISA, CFA, CFE or similar strongly preferred.

Experience: Typically 15 or more years of progressive experience in internal or external audit, risk management, accounting, finance, technology and/or related control functions, with significant leadership responsibility in large, complex financial services or insurance organizations.

Knowledge, Abilities and

Skills:

Demonstrated success leading a multi-disciplinary audit or risk team and interacting directly with Boards, Audit Committees and executive leadership. Deep understanding of risk and control concepts across operations, financial reporting, technology, third‑party risk, digital/AI and strategic initiatives. Experience integrating AI, data analytics, process mining and digital tools into audit methodologies. Exceptional ability to synthesize and communicate complex issues and…