Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of Texas Permian Basin in its search for Chief Audit Executive. 

Reporting directly to the President, this is an exciting opportunity to join a highly collaborative and supportive team at The University of Texas Permian Basin, a part of the prestigious 14 institution University of Texas System. The Chief Audit Executive provides strategic leadership and oversight of the University’s internal audit activity while working closely with executive leadership to offer critical insight, identify risks, and collaborate with management on actions to reduce risk and enhance University operations. The Office of Internal Audit focuses on adding value and providing stakeholders with risk-based, objective and reliable assurance, advice and insight. The ideal candidate will possess impeccable integrity, objectivity, and tenacity for upholding high ethical standards, with the ability to maintain independence in both fact and appearance.

This position offers the potential for a limited hybrid working arrangement. A remote schedule is not possible.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (not always present for all positions)

• With input from the University President, leadership, and the Institutional Audit Committee, develop and execute an annual audit plan for assurance and advisory services, based upon an accepted risk assessment methodology and approved by the Institutional Audit Committee and the Audit, Compliance and Risk Management Committee of The University of Texas System Board of Regents. 
• Communicate engagement results and assist management in developing corrective and/or enhancing actions based on results, follow-up on planned actions, and report the status of activities to the President, the Institutional Audit Committee, the UT System Audit Office, and management as applicable.
• Ensure that the internal audit activity complies with the Texas Internal Auditing Act, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), as applicable, and maintain a current understanding, and comply with, all Federal, State, University, and University of Texas System rules and policies.
• Establish and maintain an active and continuous quality control and improvement program to include on-going internal quality control and improvement activities designed to ensure the highest quality audit activity and compliance with professional standards, and an external quality assurance review at least once every three years as required by the Texas Internal Auditing Act and GAGAS.
• Provide advisory services upon request by management, as appropriate.
• Conduct investigations of suspected fraud, including assistance to the Institutional Compliance Office as needed.
• Coordinate any external audit activity.
• Provide administrative oversight for office operations, including but not limited to establishing appropriate internal audit policies and procedures, maintenance of office budgets and accounts, and recruiting, hiring, training, evaluating, and dismissing staff as needed.
• Demonstrate successful interpersonal skills to effectively articulate the strategic vision of the Office of Internal Audit, establish and nurture effective working relationships with associates, colleagues, students and members of the University staff, and build strong working relationships as a trusted advisor to institutional management.
• Participate in outreach to promote the Office of Internal Audit and the profession through participation in University and University of Texas System committees, professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Association of College & University Auditors (ACUA), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), etc., and professional speaking or publishing engagements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, management, business administration, or related field.
• Ten (10) years of professional audit experience in progressively responsible leadership positions within a public or private college or university, a state or federal agency, an accounting/auditing firm, or within private industry.
• Six (6) years of professional audit supervisory/management experience.
• State-licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or professional certification as a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), as required by the Texas Internal Auditing Act. Other professional certifications do not qualify to meet this requirement.

About the Institution

The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. The Permian Basin is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant, economically invigorated regions of the country - full of industry, culture, and wide-open spaces. At the academic heart of this area sits The University of Texas Permian Basin - which every year, delivers smart, savvy leaders across the U.S.

As a regional, comprehensive institution, The University of Texas Permian Basin serves a diverse community of students from the region, the state, and beyond. Through excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service, the University cultivates engaged citizens and impacts lives while advancing the technology and public interests of West Texas.

Our vision is that The University of Texas Permian Basin will be an innovative, responsive university that thinks large and lives local. We will lead in advancing education, research, economic competitiveness, and cultural enrichment.

To see how UT Permian Basin is committed to serving the region and becoming a student-focused and value-driven institution, view our vision for the future.
 
Living in the Area

There’s no place quite like the Permian Basin—a largely untouched beauty dotted with pockets of modern development. Home of UT Permian Basin’s main campus, Odessa is one of the largest cities in West Texas. A diverse city with a rich history dating back to the 1880s, Odessa has undergone major transformations over the last two decades. Not long ago, Forbes Magazine ranked Odessa as one of the fastest-growing small cities in the United States. As the home to former President George H. W. Bush and major global corporations—like Chevron and Concho—Odessa offers a depth of prestige and opportunity that few cities like it can match.

Stretching from eastern New Mexico and covering most of West Texas (Lubbock to the north, the Rio Grande Valley to the south), the Permian Basin is a collection of smaller basins. But in all, the Permian Basin covers 75,000 square miles—making it one of the larger basins in North America. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Permian Basin—which had once been the source of vast oil supplies—seemed to be fading in importance. Thanks to advancements in energy exploration, the Permian Basin was quickly named the largest oil reserve on the planet. Its backyard is expected to fuel the American and global economies for at least the next two decades.

As more and more energy is sourced, other industries have appeared alongside it—including business and finance, healthcare, education, construction, digital technology, transportation, and public sector jobs. In other words, the latest “oil boom” has spurred a larger “economic boom” that is already paying major dividends to the students and professionals who are seizing this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

To Apply 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially

Inquiries and questions: Please send to UTPBCAE@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institution’s EEO Statement
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is committed to providing an educational, living and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. An environment that is free of discrimination and harassment allows members of the university community to excel in their academic and professional careers. To the extent provided by applicable federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination against a person because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The University's commitment to equal opportunity extends its nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity. Retaliation against a person who files a claim of discrimination, participates in a discrimination investigation or proceeding, or otherwise opposes an unlawful employment practice is prohibited.