ResponsibilitiesSr. Manager, Internal AuditPella, Iowa (hybrid) Position Summary: The Sr. Manager, Internal Audit leads the Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) functions and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership, including the Audit Committee Chair, CEO, EVP/CFO, General Counsel, and senior functional leaders.
The role partners with the business to optimize risk management, internal controls, and governance practices in support of growth, transformation, and innovation, while also strengthening the organization's enterprise-wide risk posture and operational effectiveness.
This role emphasizes operational, technology, and strategic risk, not just financial controls. It plays a critical role in helping Pella navigate increasing complexity driven by acquisitions, technology modernization, AI adoption, and reliance on third-party platforms-ensuring risks are well understood, governed, and aligned with business objectives.
Audit Committee & Board Engagement- Serve as liaison to the Audit Committee, supporting the Chair and engaging directly with Board members on key risk and control matters.
- Lead the development and presentation of the annual internal audit plan and enterprise risk assessment, ensuring alignment to the organization's highest priorities.
- Communicate audit results, emerging risks, and ERM insights clearly and effectively, elevating issues that require Board awareness or action.
- Provide independent, objective perspectives to support effective governance, transparency, and decision-making at the Board and executive levels.
Internal Audit & Risk Leadership- Lead a risk-based internal audit function focused on areas of highest enterprise impact, including operations, technology, data governance, cybersecurity, and AI-enabled processes.
- Partner with business leaders to strengthen processes, controls, and risk management practices across the organization.
- Drive continuous improvement in audit methodology, leveraging data analytics, automation, and technology-enabled testing approaches.
- Identify and share leading practices, not just control deficiencies, to support enterprise-wide improvement.
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)- Lead and evolve the ERM program to ensure the organization maintains an appropriate risk profile to support growth, transformation, and innovation.
- Facilitate enterprise-level risk discussions that connect strategy, execution, and emerging risks, including technology, AI, and third-party dependencies.
- Provide actionable, decision-oriented risk insights to executive leadership.
Technology, Data, and AI Governance- Partner in advancing data governance, AI governance, and cybersecurity oversight across the enterprise.
- Key contributor in governance forums (e.g., AI Steering Team, cybersecurity leadership) to ensure appropriate controls and risk considerations are embedded in transformation initiatives.
- Evaluate and strengthen control environments supporting digital platforms, cloud technologies, and third-party solutions.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership- Lead, coach, and develop the internal audit team, building a high-performing, forward-looking function.
- Collaborate across operations, finance, IT, legal, and business leadership to support major initiatives, including acquisitions and integration efforts.
- Influence without authority and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders.
Governance, Compliance, and Special Investigations- Support corporate governance processes in partnership with Legal and executive leadership, including ethics and compliance oversight and Board-related activities.
- Lead or support sensitive investigations as needed with appropriate confidentiality and objectivity.
- Serve as a key driver of Pella's "Total Integrity in Everything We Do" commitment, including oversight of annual ethics and compliance processes.
- Partner with the General Counsel to evaluate and enhance ethics, compliance, and governance practices.
Leadership Characteristics: - Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
- Collaborates effectively across functions to drive enterprise-wide impact.
- Connects the dots-anticipates outcomes, solves problems, and drives practical solutions.
- Leads with courage, making informed decisions and recommendations with confidence.
- Comfortable influencing and inspiring others, building alignment at all levels of the organization.
- Learner mindset with curiosity around technology, data, and AI.
- Decisive, adaptable, and able to balance rigor with speed.
- Champion of change, innovation and continuous improvement enabling progress with speed and agility.
- Strong executive presence, ability and communication skills.
- Brings a strong drive to win, with high energy and a results-oriented mindset.
- Balances customer focus, process discipline, and proactive execution.
Professional Qualifications & Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field; CPA and/or CIA preferred.
- 10+ years of audit, accounting, or risk-related experience (2+ years of public accounting strongly preferred).
- Strong experience with IT/Cybersecurity controls across on-prem and cloud environments.
- Experience with data analytics, automation, cybersecurity, and AI governance.
- Strong understanding of GAAP and enterprise control environments.
- Ability to apply analytical and statistical concepts to practical risk and control scenarios.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
