Chief of Internal Audit

About the role

This position is open until filled, but resume review will begin as soon as possible with scheduled interviews to follow. The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is a public utility owned by the City of San Antonio serving more than 2 million people in Bexar County, as well as parts of Medina and Atascosa counties. Created in May 1992 through the consolidation of the City Water Board, the City Wastewater Department and the Alamo Water Conservation and Reuse District, SAWS assumed the former Bexar Metropolitan Water District in 2012 and currently serves more than 585,000 water customers and 525,000 wastewater customers. Governed by a seven‑member Board of Trustees (the Mayor of San Antonio plus six trustees appointed by the City Council), SAWS employs over 2,000 staff, manages approximately $10.7 billion in total assets, and plans to spend around $3.2 billion over the next five years on capital improvement projects. The Chief of Internal Audit leads, develops and implements a comprehensive internal audit program to support organizational strategic objectives and evaluate the effectiveness of financial, operational, and compliance practices and related controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop Internal Audit Plan – Develops and executes a flexible annual internal audit plan using appropriate risk‑based methodology, including any risks or control concerns identified by SAWS Trustees, SAWS Management or external auditors.
• Conduct Internal Audits, Consulting and Advisory Services – Implements the approved annual internal audit plan, including special projects requested by the Audit Committee and Management; oversees execution of internal financial, operational and information system audits per the SAWS Internal Audit Charter and professional standards; continuously improves audit quality to ensure value addition and advanced maturity of the audit function; ensures independence of the audit function.
• Report Results to the Board of Trustees through the Audit Committee – Reports audit results promptly to management and the Audit Committee; reports on adequacy, effectiveness, functioning and coordination of control mechanisms; reports periodically on status and results of the annual audit plan; reports on internal audit quality assurance and improvement program (internal and external assessments); reports on significant new or changing services, processes, operations, and control processes; reports on emerging trends and successful