Sr Director, Internal Audit- Business Advisory

Sr Director, Internal Audit – Business Advisory

With the ever evolving and increasing levels of internal auditing requirements, as well as heightened operational, financial, strategic and technology risks inherent in a Fortune 100 protection organization, Nationwide prioritizes internal audit as a critical component of our business strategy, governance and success. If you have the desire to develop and lead internal audit practices that drive business outcomes and deliver outstanding solutions and results, we want to know more about you!

As the Sr Director, Internal Audit – Business Advisory, you will be responsible for all aspects of IA's Business Advisory portfolio, focused on advisory and consulting services for Nationwide's Property & Casualty (P&C) Operations, Nationwide Financial (NF) Operations, and Corporate Functions. You'll partner with senior management to provide forward-looking risk, control and process insights on strategic initiatives, operational changes, new products and emerging risks.

You'll need to balance assurance discipline with advisory agility, helping business leaders design robust control environments while enabling innovation and change. You will accomplish this by leveraging the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, process intelligence and advanced analytics.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops the Business Advisory strategy and engagement portfolio. Ensures advisory engagements deliver clear, practical and action-oriented recommendations.
• Plans and leads advisory engagements that support major initiatives, operational transformations, new product launches and process redesigns across P&C, NF and Corporate Functions. Ensures advisory work is structured, risk-based and aligned to IA's methodology and IIA guidance.
• Provides management with insights, foresights and thought leadership on emerging risks, control implications and leading practices. Assists leaders in anticipating risk impacts and design controls early in the change lifecycle.
• Partners with business leaders, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Compliance, Finance, Technology and other risk partners to ensure a coordinated view of risk and control. Identifies opportunities to leverage or rely on existing risk work while avoiding duplication.
• Coordinates with Business Assurance and other IA leaders to ensure advisory work informs future assurance coverage, risk assessments and audit planning.
• Ensures that key themes and learnings from advisory work are captured and shared across IA.
• Utilizes data analytics, process intelligence, benchmarking and scenario analysis to support advisory recommendations.
• Partners with Digital Auditing Insights to bring advanced analytics and visualization into advisory engagements.
• Leads a highly skilled team of advisory professionals, setting expectations for client service, innovation and continuous learning.
• Contributes to IA-wide methodologies, training and communities of practice focused on advisory services.
• Leads and develops a team of technology auditors with diverse backgrounds providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management. Fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the Internal Audit function.

May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Reporting Relationships: VP, Internal Audit. Leads a team of three direct reports and 9 indirect reports. Oversees centralized management of the PRO rotation program.

Typical Skills and Experiences:

Education:

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

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

Experience:

Typically, 10 or more years of progressive experience in internal or external audit, consulting, strategy, operations, finance or risk management, with a track record of advisory work in complex environments, ideally within insurance or financial services.

Knowledge, Abilities and

Skills:

Proven expertise in audit methodology, governance frameworks, risk management, and regulatory compliance,…