Senior Internal Auditor (HR Title: Internal Auditor II)

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

The Senior Internal Auditor provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services and independently plans and executes complex audit engagements across academic, administrative, financial, operational, compliance, IT, and strategic risk areas of the University. This role is designed to add value, strengthen internal controls, and enhance risk management and governance processes in alignment with the University’s mission and strategic plan, and the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing (IIA Standards).

The Senior Internal Auditor exercises sound professional judgment, partners constructively with campus stakeholders, and communicates results clearly and effectively to management and senior leadership.

Essential Functions:

• Audit Planning and Execution:
  - Lead and perform integrated audits (financial, operational, compliance, IT) across broad university functions.
  - Conduct risk assessments to identify key risk areas and contribute to the development of the annual audit plan.
  - Design audit objectives, scope, and procedures; evaluate internal controls for adequacy, design, and operating effectiveness.

• Advisory and Risk Awareness:
  - Provide advisory and consulting services related to internal controls, process improvements, system implementations, and emerging risks (e.g., technology, data privacy, AI governance, regulatory changes).
  - Support institutional risk awareness by aligning audit activities with key University risks and providing independent insight.

• Reporting and Communication:
  - Develop clear, well‑structured audit workpapers, findings, and reports that include root cause analysis, risk implications, and practical recommendations.
  - Communicate audit results effectively across varying levels of University management.

• Follow-Up and Continuous Improvement:
  - Track and assess management action plans to ensure timely and effective remediation of audit findings.
  - Monitor emerging risks, regulatory requirements, and best practices relevant to higher education.
  - Contribute to continuous improvement of internal audit methodologies, tools, and templates.

• Investigations and Special Reviews:
  - Assist with administrative investigations, special reviews, or hotline matters, as assigned by the Director of Internal Audit, requiring fact‑finding, analysis, and professional judgment.
  - Support communication of investigation results to appropriate University leadership, as directed, while maintaining sensitivity and discretion.