Director Internal Audit - Columbus, United States - Express

Description

Overview:

About Express, Inc.

Express, Inc. is a multi-brand fashion retailer whose portfolio includes Express, Bonobos and UpWest. The Company operates an omnichannel platform as well as physical and online stores. Grounded in a belief that style, quality and value should all be found in one place, Express is a brand with a purpose - We Create Confidence. We Inspire Self-Expression. - powered by a styling community. Bonobos is a menswear brand known for exceptional fit and an innovative retail model. UpWest is an apparel, accessories and home goods brand with a purpose to Provide Comfort for People & Planet.

The Company has over 530 Express retail and Express Factory Outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the online store and the Express mobile app; over 60 Bonobos Guideshop locations and the online store; and 13 UpWest retail stores and the online store. Express, Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol EXPR. For more information about our Company, please visit and for more information about our brands, please visit , or

Note: this position is on-site in Columbus, OH

The Director Internal Audit is responsible for all internal audit activities as well as leading the Enterprise Risk Management program:

Internal Audit

• Lead Internal Audits annual risk assessment and planning process to develop the audit plan and ensure the plan is responsive to and aligned with the risk profile of the organization.
• Establish and lead the risk-based annual audit plan which includes but is not limited to: all SOX audits, operational audits, technology audits, investigations, and other internal audits of processes or departments as needed.
• Oversee and assess managements design and execution of internal controls over financial reporting (SOX).
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with the External Audit provider to ensure smooth execution of reliance testing and the direct assist program for the annual audit.
• Develop and execute short and long-term compliance and risk-based audit plans.
• Establish and maintain effective relationship with internal stakeholders to ensure continued collaboration and understanding of business functions.
• Create and issue all Internal Audit reports ensuring the reports are clear, concise, and identify root causes with practical action plans for leadership.
• Proactively inform senior management of significant risks or exposures related to internal controls, compliance, and/or governance requiring attention.
• Manage the process to track, follow-up, and close open audit issues leveraging the Audit Committee, if necessary.
• Participate and advise management with new process design, operating procedures, system or technology projects and initiatives to meet strategic objectives.
• Report quarterly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors on internal audit department status and progress as well as inform the committee of emerging risks and/or exposures that should be considered.

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

• Lead the (ERM) program at the Company by developing and maintaining an industry acceptable risk-management program based upon a recognized framework to identify, assess, monitor, and report on the risk profile of the organization.
• Facilitate quarterly Risk Advisory Committee meetings (internal meeting) and update the risk profile documentation to reflect results of the meeting.
• Execute the ERM delegates program which meets on a bi-annual basis to discuss risks with Directors/VPs of the business.
• Lead the enterprise annual risk assessment with the senior leadership team and select key individuals, reporting the accumulated results to the Risk Advisory Committee and Board of Directors.
• Report quarterly to the Audit Committee on the current state of the risk profile and the enterprise risk program initiatives.

Other

• Stay informed/up to date on accounting standards and industry trends and be actively involved in industry specific organizations (i.e., IIA, ISACA, RILA).
• As needed, perform various investigations as identified by Management or through day-to-day activities.
• Participate in senior management meetings to ensure that Internal Audit is well-informed of key business and technology developments that could have an impact on audit priorities and/or plans. These meetings/committees may include the following: Risk Advisory Committee, Disclosure Committee, Business Continuity Steering Committee, Incident Response Team, Compliance Committee, Executive Crisis Management Team, etc.
• Attract, hire, and retain a team of high-performing audit professionals who possess the required knowledge, experience, ethics, and integrity.
• Inspire the continued development of the team ensuring appropriate growth of each team member, while fostering a spirit of continuous improvement and best practices.
• Develop and oversee the department budget and related expenditures to ensure activities are appropriately funded, coordinated, and managed to accomplish the audit plan.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting required
• Years of Experience: 10 + of auditing experience, including staff supervision responsibilities, preferably with public companies and in public accounting (public company experience desired) or in the specialty retail industry
• Certifications: Either Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification required; (Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification is highly desirable)
• Percentage of Travel: 5 - 15%
• Type of Travel: Domestic

Critical Skills & Attributes

• Advanced degree
• Advanced understanding and experience with risk-based audit planning and execution
• Strong accounting background (technical accounting experience) and financial audit concepts
• Strong understanding and experience with information technology and the use of data analytics
• Advanced understanding and experience with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and the design and operating effectives of internal controls over financial reporting
• Advanced understanding and experience with enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks
• Proven experience building and managing an ERM program, preferably in the retail industry
• Strong understanding and experience with all aspects of effective corporate governance programs
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse fast-placed, dynamic, team oriented environment
• Ability to balance multiple projects
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to effectively and concisely communicate with the Audit Committee and senior management
• Ability to manage a diverse team of highly qualified individuals and enjoy identifying and providing development opportunities
• Excellent at building relationships with colleagues and peers

An equal opportunity employer, Express, Inc. does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. Express, Inc. only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. Express, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a listed job position, please call and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Notification to Agencies: Please note that Express, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, Express, Inc. will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.