Director, Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk Management

Location: Pella, Iowa (hybrid)

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer with dotted-line accountability to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

The Director of Internal Audit & Enterprise Risk Management is a key leadership role responsible for building and leading a modern, risk-based Internal Audit function while advancing the company’s enterprise risk management (ERM) capabilities. This leader will serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO, executive leadership team, and Audit Committee, providing independent insights that strengthen governance, mitigate risk, and enhance overall business performance.

This role requires a strategic mindset, strong technical expertise, and exceptional leadership capabilities to influence the organization and drive continuous improvement in audit quality, risk processes, compliance, and control environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Internal Audit Leadership

• Lead audits across financial, operational, compliance, and IT domains with a focus on value creation.

• Ensure adherence to professional audit standards (IIA, SOX) while maintaining independence.

• Provide concise, actionable recommendations to leadership, the Board, and the Audit Committee.

• Ensure timely and sustainable resolution of audit risk findings.

• Lead special reviews and investigations including ethics and compliance-related matters.

• Leverage data analytics and technology to enhance audit effectiveness.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

• Build a modern, insight-driven audit function that transitions internal audit from primarily compliance-focused to risk-prioritized and value-oriented.

• Lead and evolve the enterprise risk management framework, including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring.

• Advance Enterprise Risk Management maturity and strengthen controls with creating bureaucracy.

• Implement a practical, scalable ERM framework embedded in business decision-making.

• Integrate risk considerations into strategic planning and capital allocation.

• Drive ongoing enhancement of risk processes and governance practices.

• Oversee key risk programs, including third party risk management for indirect spending.

Governance, Controls & Compliance

• Establish a flexible, data-enabled audit plan aligned to enterprise priorities.

• Enhance internal control effectiveness across financial, operational, and technology areas.

• Build discipline around issue tracking, ownership, and remediation.

• Strengthen internal control frameworks and audit readiness.

• Partner cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, Operations, and IT to ensure effective governance and policy adherence.

• Coordinate with external auditors.

• Drive continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and control effectiveness.

Strategic Leadership

• Think strategically and connect audit and risk insights to broader business objectives.

• Deliver clear, actionable insights that drive decision-making – not just findings.

• Apply strong business acumen and judgment in decision-making.

• Drive execution with discipline and accountability.

• Balance rigor with a pragmatic, business-oriented approach.

People Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing team while strengthening talent, capability, and succession within audit and risk.

• Build credibility and inspire trust across all levels of the organization, including executive leadership, the audit committee, and the Board.

• Promote a culture of integrity, engagement, accountability, continuous improvement, and ethical conduct.

Change Leadership

• Champion innovation and continuous improvement while demonstrating agility and responsiveness to emerging risks.

• Lead courageously, providing independent perspectives even when challenged.

• Partner with business leaders to embed risk awareness into decision making.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, public accounting, and/or risk management.

• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, or CISA preferred.

• Proven leadership experience building and leading high-performing teams.

• Deep knowledge of internal controls and governance frameworks.

• Experience presenting to executive leadership and Boards.