SVP Internal Audit Director

About the role

We’re always looking for bright individuals to join our growing organization. As a part of the First Financial Family, we will invest in your development and provide a dynamic work environment where you’re challenged, valued and empowered every day. We strive to be the best destination for the industry’s top talent, creating a diverse, collaborative workplace that celebrates innovation and change. We are one team, working together to get things done.

Office location: Abilene, Texas, United States

Scope

The SVP Internal Audit Director is responsible for execution of audits over the company’s Banking Enterprises and the Corporate-wide internal audit. The objective of this role is to ensure the Company’s internal controls are adequate by developing and executing an audit program that is commensurate with the size and complexity of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (FFIN) and its subsidiaries. The role requires significant interaction with executive and senior management, business and risk leaders, external auditors, regulators, and other key stakeholders. The Internal Audit Director also provides leadership, coaching, and development to members of the Internal Audit team and promotes a culture of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief Audit Executive in developing and executing the Internal Audit function's multi-year strategy, including the annual operating plan, priorities, organizational model, talent strategy, budget, performance measures, technology enablement, and transformation initiatives.
• Ensure Internal Audit activities are performed in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards, the Internal Audit Charter, Internal Audit methodology, quality expectations, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and oversee risk-based audits across FFIN and its subsidiaries.
• Lead or participate in annual and semi-annual risk assessment activities to evaluate changes in the Company's risk profile, governance, risk management, and internal control environment and support the development and maintenance of the risk-based Internal Audit Plan.
• Provide oversight and direction throughout the audit lifecycle, including planning, risk assessment, control evaluation, testing, issue development, reporting, and follow-up, to ensure engagements are completed in a timely manner and meet established quality expectations.
• Assess the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls and evaluate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and established risk management practices.
• Oversee monitoring and follow-up of audit issues and management action plans and ensure appropriate validation of remediation prior to issue closure.
• Partner with the Chief Audit Executive and management in interactions with regulators, external auditors, and other external parties, including coordinating information requests, meetings, examinations, and related activities.
• Maintain an understanding of emerging risks, regulatory developments, industry trends, and changes in the Company's businesses and proactively assess their potential impact on the Internal Audit Plan and risk profile.
• Review the quality of outsourced or co-sourced audits including the assessment of workpapers and overall results.
• Review and approve clear, concise, risk-focused audit reports that communicate audit conclusions, significant issues, root causes, risks, and practical recommendations to management.
• Participate in key business initiatives and advisory engagements and proactively advise and/or provide feedback to management.
• Work as a member of a project team and cultivate strong working relationships with Internal Audit Management and lines of business.
• Implement integrated audit approach and data analytics within the scope of the audits, when appropriate.
• Identify solutions for a variety of complex and unique control issues, using sound judgement and strong analytical thinking.
• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating consideration for the company's reputation and safeguarding the company, its customers, and assets, by driving compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, adhering to policy, applying sound ethical judgment regarding personal behavior, conduct and business practices, and escalating, managing and reporting control issues with transparency, as well as effectively supervising the activities of others and holding individuals accountable for maintaining these standards.
• Actively support the Customer Service First program, support the values of the organization, and follow established policies and procedures.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing Internal Audit team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline. Master’s degree highly preferred.
• Minimum fifteen (15) years of experience in a related role at a regulated financial institution and/or Big Four accounting firm.
• Experience interacting with Audit Committees, Board of Directors, Executive Management, and/or Regulatory Examiners.
• Strong knowledge of financial institution regulatory environment and requirements.
• Related certifications (CPA, CIA, or similar) required.
• Previous Finance, Credit, Banking Product, Trust, Operations audit experience.
• Demonstrated success setting functional strategy, converting strategy into operating priorities and measurable outcomes, and influencing enterprise decisions on complex or sensitive matters.
• Understanding of risks and internal controls and the ability to evaluate and determine adequacy and efficiency of controls.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver high-quality deliverables within deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to implement continuous improvement and innovation in audit tools and techniques.
• Consistently demonstrate clear and concise written and verbal communication.
• Demonstrated ability to remain unbiased in a diverse working environment.
• Effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to protect confidential information.