Senior Director of IT Audit & Risk Assurance – Strategic Leadership for Digital Transformation at arenaflex (Chattanooga, TN)

Why arenaflex?

At arenaflex, we are on a mission to empower millions of employees worldwide with the benefits and services they need to thrive at every stage of life. As a Fortune 500 leader in employee benefits, arenaflex combines deep industry expertise with cutting‑edge technology to deliver innovative solutions that help our clients attract, retain, and support their talent. Our culture is built on inclusion, continuous learning, and a relentless focus on delivering value—both to our customers and to the people who make our success possible. If you are looking for a role where your strategic vision can shape the future of risk management and technology assurance, you have found the right place.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of IT Audit & Risk Assurance will lead arenaflex’s global IT audit function, driving risk‑based audit strategies that protect the organization’s digital assets, ensure regulatory compliance, and enable smart, data‑driven decision‑making. Reporting to the Global Audit leadership team, you will partner with senior business leaders, technology innovators, and internal audit professionals to design, execute, and communicate audit findings that influence enterprise‑wide risk posture. This role is based in Chattanooga, TN, but you will have a global impact, collaborating with teams across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and champion the IT audit vision, aligning audit objectives with arenaflex’s broader risk management framework and digital transformation agenda.
• Team Development: Mentor, coach, and inspire a high‑performing audit team, establishing clear development plans, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring succession readiness.
• Risk Assessment & Planning: Lead the creation of a risk‑based audit plan that evaluates emerging technology risks, data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance (including SOX and ITGC).
• Audit Execution: Oversee the design and execution of complex IT audits, integrating technical expertise with business insight to assess controls over systems, networks, applications, and data pipelines.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Build strong, collaborative partnerships with CIOs, security officers, application owners, and business leaders to ensure audit relevance and actionable outcomes.
• Reporting & Communication: Present audit results to senior leadership in clear, concise formats—leveraging data visualizations, storytelling, and executive summaries that drive decisive action.
• Change Management: Guide the audit function through technology adoption, automation, and data‑analytics initiatives, ensuring the team embraces new tools such as AuditBoard, Power BI, and Python‑based testing.
• Resource Management: Allocate internal and co‑sourced resources efficiently, balancing workload, talent development, and audit quality to meet delivery timelines.
• Continuous Learning: Promote professional certifications (CISA, CIA, CPA, CFE) and stay abreast of industry trends, emerging threats, and best practices, while fostering a learning mindset across the team.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure audit activities adhere to the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF), COSO, and SOX requirements, providing assurance on the effectiveness of internal controls.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in IT audit, risk management, or related fields, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in IT general controls, cybersecurity frameworks, cloud environments, and data analytics.
• Strong people‑management skills, including coaching, mentoring, performance management, and talent development.
• Advanced problem‑solving and critical‑thinking abilities, with a track record of delivering innovative audit solutions.
• Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal—capable of influencing senior stakeholders and translating technical findings into business impact.
• Proficiency with audit management software (e.g., AuditBoard) and data‑visualization tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Ability to operate with a continuous‑improvement mindset, driving efficiency and knowledge sharing across the audit function.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as CISA, CIA, CPA, or CFE.
• Experience with scripting or automated testing languages (Python, PowerShell, R) to enhance audit coverage and efficiency.
• Advanced knowledge of SOX, COSO, and GAAP reporting requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and associated security controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large‑scale, cross‑functional audit engagements that span multiple business units and geographies.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future risks, and align audit activities with corporate objectives.
• Data‑Driven Insight: Skilled at using data analytics to uncover patterns, assess control effectiveness, and tell compelling stories that drive action.
• Collaboration & Influence: Proven track record of building trust, fostering inclusive dialogue, and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Change Leadership: Comfortable guiding teams through technology adoption, process redesign, and cultural shifts.
• Technical Acumen: Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, software development lifecycles, network security, and emerging technologies.
• Communication Excellence: Ability to craft executive‑level presentations, write concise audit reports, and tailor messaging to diverse audiences.
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Skilled at navigating complex stakeholder dynamics and reaching consensus on audit scope and findings.

Technical Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of audit principles and practices aligned with the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF).
• Expertise in COSO and Sarbanes‑Oxley (SOX) control frameworks for GAAP financial reporting.
• Proficiency in SQL, data extraction, and visualization tools to support audit analytics.
• Understanding of scripting languages (Python, PowerShell) for automated testing and continuous monitoring.

Learning & Development Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the growth of its people. As a senior leader, you will have access to:

• Executive coaching and leadership development programs tailored to senior audit professionals.
• Tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees or specialized certifications.
• Annual professional development budget for conferences, workshops, and industry events.
• Mentorship opportunities to both learn from seasoned executives and mentor emerging talent.
• Cross‑functional project assignments that broaden exposure to digital transformation initiatives.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive total rewards package that reflects the importance of this role:

• Base salary range: $109,100 – $213,300, commensurate with experience, expertise, and geographic location.
• Performance‑based incentive plans tied to audit outcomes and strategic objectives.
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage, plus short‑ and long‑term disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including volunteer days and flexible holiday schedules.
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9.5 % employer contribution, regardless of employee participation.
• Mental‑health resources, employee assistance programs, and wellness initiatives.
• Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote options where appropriate.

Culture & Work Environment

At arenaflex, we celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive environment where every voice matters. Our award‑winning culture is built on:

• Collaboration across global teams, encouraging knowledge sharing and innovative problem‑solving.
• Recognition programs that highlight individual and team achievements.
• Commitment to work‑life balance, with policies that support family needs, personal development, and community involvement.
• Transparent communication from leadership, ensuring that every employee understands the company’s vision and their role in achieving it.
• Opportunities to work on purpose‑driven projects that directly impact the wellbeing of millions of employees worldwide.

Application Process

If you are ready to lead a world‑class IT audit function, influence strategic risk decisions, and grow your career within a forward‑thinking organization, we want to hear from you. Submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your relevant experience, leadership philosophy, and why arenaflex is the ideal place for your next career chapter.

Join arenaflex Today

Take the next step in your professional journey and become a catalyst for change at arenaflex. Together, we will safeguard the digital future, empower our people, and deliver lasting value to the communities we serve.

Apply Now