North Carolina State University

Operational Audit Manager

North Carolina State University$90K — $110K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; CPA, CIA, CFE, CISA, or equivalent certification preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience in internal or external auditing, management consulting, or related fields.
  • Strong operational audit knowledge from planning to reporting, utilizing independent judgment.
  • Proven leadership abilities in mentoring and developing high-performing audit teams.
  • Excellent communication skills to convey complex findings to stakeholders.
  • Experience with data analytics tools to inform audit processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead operational audits and advisory projects, managing all phases from planning to reporting.
  • Evaluate internal controls and provide actionable, risk-based recommendations.
  • Build relationships with university leaders to align audit focus with strategic objectives.
  • Translate findings into clear actions that drive organizational change.
  • Develop and coach audit team members to foster a collaborative culture.
  • Champion initiatives that improve audit quality and efficiency through innovation.

Benefits

  • Professional development opportunities and support for career advancement.
  • Collaborative work environment with a focus on team dynamics and accountability.
  • Access to data analytics tools and innovative audit technologies.
  • Engagement with a diverse group of university stakeholders.
  • Opportunity to influence positive governance and risk management practices.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
PG194792EP

Internal Recruitment
No

Working Title
Operational Audit Manager

Anticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with education and experience

Work Schedule
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Job Location
Raleigh, NC

Department
Internal Audit Division

Essential Job Duties

The Operational Audit Manager is a key member of the Internal Audit leadership team, reporting to the Chief Audit Officer. In this role, you will lead complex operational audits, advisory engagements, and special projects that strengthen governance, improve business processes, and enhance risk management across one of the nation's largest public research universities. Working closely with university leadership, you will help shape the department's strategic priorities while ensuring audit services deliver meaningful value to the institution.

In this role, you get to partner with leaders across the university to identify emerging risks, evaluate operations, and recommend practical solutions that improve efficiency and strengthen internal controls. You'll lead and develop high-performing audit teams, champion the use of data analytics and continuous improvement, and serve as a trusted advisor whose insights influence strategic decision-making. If you enjoy navigating complex organizations, building collaborative relationships, and driving organizational excellence through operational auditing, you'll find an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities fall within the following core functional areas:
Lead Operational Audits & Advisory Engagements:
  • Direct complex operational audits, consulting engagements, and special projects from planning through reporting.
  • Evaluate business processes, internal controls, and organizational risks while providing practical, value-added recommendations.
  • Adjust audit scope and priorities to address emerging risks and evolving organizational needs.

Partner with University Leadership:
  • Build trusted relationships with leaders across the university to understand strategic priorities and operational challenges.
  • Translate business insights into risk-based audit plans that support organizational objectives.
  • Present findings and recommendations with confidence, influencing positive organizational change.

Develop People & Build High-Performing Teams:
  • Lead, coach, and mentor audit staff through performance feedback, career development, and technical guidance.
  • Foster a collaborative, agile, and high-performing team culture with clear expectations and accountability.
  • Support the professional growth of team members while modeling leadership and integrity.

Advance Audit Innovation & Continuous Improvement:
  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance audit quality, efficiency, and departmental effectiveness.
  • Expand the use of data analytics and technology to strengthen audit planning, execution, and reporting.
  • Stay current on industry trends, emerging risks, and professional standards to evolve audit practices and internal controls.

Strengthen Risk Management & Organizational Effectiveness:
  • Evaluate complex operational issues with a strategic, enterprise-wide perspective.
  • Apply professional auditing standards and sound judgment to assess risks, identify control gaps, and recommend sustainable solutions.
  • Support the department's strategic goals and key performance indicators through high-quality audit services.

If you are a strategic audit leader who enjoys partnering with stakeholders, developing high-performing teams, and delivering insights that drive meaningful improvements, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university and certification or licensure as a certified public accountant, certified internal auditor, certified fraud examiner, certified information system auditor, professional engineer, or attorney;
OR
Graduation from a four-year college or university and a minimum of five years of experience in internal external auditing, management consulting, program evaluation, management analysis, economic analysis, industrial engineering, or operations research.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications
  • Operational audit expertise that guides complex engagements from planning through reporting, applying independent judgment and creative problem-solving to analyze complex situations and deliver practical, risk-based recommendations.
  • Leadership skills that guide, mentor, and develop high-performing audit teams by establishing clear expectations, providing meaningful coaching and feedback, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Relationship-building skills that establish trust with leaders, teams, and colleagues across a complex organization through collaboration, integrity, and the ability to influence positive change.
  • Data analytics and technology skills that enhance audit planning, identify emerging risks, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of audit engagements.
  • Communication skills that translate complex audit findings and recommendations into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Strategic thinking skills that connect organizational priorities and vision to Internal Audit's role in strengthening operations, managing risk, and supporting continuous improvement.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working within a university, public sector, or similarly complex organization where operational processes, governance structures, and stakeholder needs require a strategic approach.
  • Knowledge of developing and enhancing professional practice standards, methodologies, or frameworks that improve audit quality and consistency.
  • Familiarity with audit management software and technology solutions used to plan, execute, document, and report on audit engagements.
  • Ability to leverage data analytics tools, including Power BI or similar platforms, to identify trends, enhance audit procedures, and support data-informed recommendations.


Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Candidates with professional certifications that demonstrate advanced expertise in auditing, accounting, risk management, or information systems are required. Candidates do not need to have all of the following certifications to be considered for the role. However, preference will be given to candidates who have already obtained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification at the time of hire.
Relevant certifications include:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or
  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)


Valid NC Driver's License required
No

Commercial Driver's License required
No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date
08/03/2026

Anticipated Close Date
08/14/2026, if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include a cover letter, resume and contact information for at least three professional references.

Position Details

Position Number
00050280

Position Type
EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0

Appointment
12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID
014101 - Internal Audit Division

About North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University (NC State) is a public research university in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution. The university forms one of the corners of the Research Triangle together with Duke University in Durham and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Enrollment is over 36,000 students. NC State was founded in 1887 as a land-grant institution.
Learn more about North Carolina State University

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