Internal Controls Advisory, Principal

About the role

The Internal Controls Advisory Services (ICAS) team supports Blue Shield of California in strengthening enterprise-wide internal controls, risk management, and governance practices across business and technology functions. The Principal will report to the Director, ICAS and play a critical role in driving a strong and sustainable control environment. This role goes beyond execution, owning complex initiatives, influencing senior stakeholders, and shaping how controls evolve in a changing risk landscape (including AI-enabled processes). You will operate with high autonomy, bring a point of view, and help translate risk and controls into practical, business-friendly solutions.

Our leadership model focuses on developing great leaders at all levels and creating opportunities for personal, professional, and financial growth. We seek leaders energized by creative and critical thinking, building and sustaining high-performing teams, achieving results the right way, and fostering continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex internal controls advisory engagements across the organization.
• Drive end-to-end control assessments, including risk identification, scoping, testing strategy, and reporting.
• Identify control gaps, root causes, and sustainable solutions—not just observations.
• Provide clear, actionable recommendations that balance risk mitigation with business practicality.
• Contribute to and help shape the ICAS work plan and risk coverage strategy.
• Evaluate emerging risks (operational, regulatory, financial, privacy, etc.) and proactively adjust control focus.
• Support enterprise initiatives (e.g., system implementations, transformations, AI adoption) from a controls perspective.
• Demonstrate strong working familiarity with AI and automation concepts and how they transform business processes and control environments.
• Act as a translator between business, technology, and risk, helping teams understand how their roles, processes, and controls evolve in an AI-enabled environment.
• Partner with stakeholders to embed controls and governance into AI-enabled processes, balancing innovation with appropriate risk management.
• Promote a mindset of experimentation and continuous learning, helping teams evolve as AI capabilities expand.
• Build strong relationships with business leaders and act as a trusted advisor.
• Influence to drive timely remediation and accountability.
• Communicate complex control issues in simple, business-relevant language (written and verbal).
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise reports for senior leadership on control effectiveness and risks.
• Highlight themes, trends, and systemic risks—not just individual issues.
• Provide forward-looking insights, not just backward-looking assessments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in internal audit, internal controls, risk advisory, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks and risk assessment methodologies.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional engagements.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and drive outcomes with minimal supervision.
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or equivalent certifications.

Preferred: Healthcare experience (e.g., Medi-Cal, Medicare).

Schedule

This role follows a hybrid workplace model, requiring in-office presence two days per week for most teams. Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.

Pay

Pay range for California: $137,720.00 to $206,690.00.

Pay range for Bay Area: $155,248.00 to $232,996.00.

Note: Salaries are based on candidate experience, location, and current employee salaries for similar roles.

About Us

As of January 2025, Blue Shield of California became a subsidiary of Ascendiun, a nonprofit corporate entity that includes Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services company; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions. Together, these organizations form the Ascendiun Family of Companies.

At Blue Shield of California, our mission is to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends—sustainably affordable. We are transforming healthcare by lowering costs, improving quality, and enhancing the member and physician experience while upholding our nonprofit mission.

Blue Shield is recognized as a U.S. News Best Company to work for, a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company, and a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace. We were also recognized by Fair360 as a Top Regional Company and by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

Our values: Honest, Human, and Courageous.

• Honest: We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and integrity standards, building trust by doing what we say and acknowledging and correcting where we fall short.
• Human: We strive to listen and communicate effectively, showing empathy by understanding others' perspectives.
• Courageous: We stand up for what we believe in and are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve our ambitious goals.