Internal Audit Specialist

Internal Audit Specialist

Oakland, CA

Hybrid

Anticipated deadline to submit application: Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00pm PST. Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration

The Opportunity

The Internal Audit Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and leading the organization’s internal audit function and framework. This includes developing and monitoring a customized audit program, conducting operational audits, and ensuring compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, contractual requirements, and internal policies.

This role emphasizes risk-based operational auditing and organizational compliance. The Director will work cross-functionally with teams in Legal & Compliance, Operations, IT, Program Delivery, Program Support, Employee Experience, and Finance to strengthen internal controls, mitigate risks, and promote transparency and accountability.

As a key strategic partner, the Internal Audit Specialist plays a central role in identifying control deficiencies, risk issues, recommending improvements, and ensuring alignment between the organization’s mission, operations, and compliance obligations.

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

Who We Are

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.

Who You Are

Education and Experience

• You have at least 8+ years of progressive internal auditing experience required, preferably within nonprofit, public sector, or mission-driven organizations.

• You have advanced knowledge of audit standards, risk management practices, and internal control frameworks, with demonstrated ability to apply them in complex, multi-program environments.

• You have strong experience in the presentation and communication of audit findings, including preparing reports and facilitating discussions with executive leadership and boards or audit committees.

• You are proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with audit, accounting, or data analytics tools is desirable.

Core Skills & Competencies

• You have exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills — able to translate technical audit insights into actionable recommendations that support learning and improvement.

• You have comprehensive understanding of auditing and accounting principles, including nonprofit financial management and compliance requirements.

• You have the ability to evaluate, design, and strengthen internal controls, ensuring compliance with funder, regulatory, and organizational standards.

• You have strong analytical and interpretive skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data and establish standards for efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

• You have working knowledge of nonprofit business operations, including grant management, procurement, and legal and regulatory requirements related to financial stewardship and employment practices.

• You are a mission-aligned, equity-minded thinker who integrates values of integrity, inclusion, and accountability into all aspects of audit and risk management.

• You have proven ability to balance independence with collaboration, fostering trust and credibility across departments while maintaining objectivity.

• You are ethical, proactive, and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• You have the ability to demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and commitment to organizational values and mission.

• You are collaborative and team-oriented, skilled at building partnerships with staff at all levels and supporting a culture of continuous improvement.

• You are adaptable and resilient, comfortable navigating change and ambiguity while maintaining focus on organizational goals.

• You are willing to travel domestically as needed (minimal).

• You are committed to CEO’s mission and are interested in working in a fast ­paced, growing, results oriented nonprofit environment

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Key responsibilities of the Internal Audit Specialist include but are not limited to:

Audit Design

• Design and implement a comprehensive internal audit plan aligned with legal, regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements, as well as audit and risk management best practices.

• Develop audit scopes, frameworks, and methodologies that reflect current risk assessments and operational realities.

• Maintain and update the organization-wide risk register, ensuring timely identification and tracking of key risks.

• Draft, revise, and document Internal Audit policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and clarity across departments.

• Partner with department leaders and the Legal & Compliance team to develop or revise organizational policies that address audit findings and strengthen control environments.

Audit Execution

• Plan, conduct, and manage risk-based operational audits, including preparation, execution, reporting, and follow-up in accordance with professional standards.

• Prepare comprehensive audit reports and executive summaries, synthesizing key findings, opportunities for improvement, and recommended actions.

• Document audit results, including findings, root cause analyses, and management responses.

• Lead the implementation of audit tools and systems that improve efficiency, data tracking, and reporting accuracy.

• Coordinate and conduct special audits, investigations, or ad hoc reviews with minimal supervision, ensuring timely completion and actionable outcomes.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Collaborate with Compliance, Legal, and department leaders to develop and roll out policies and procedures that address audit findings or regulatory changes.

• Prepare and maintain the Internal Audit Charter and annual Audit Plan for review and approval by senior leadership.

• Identify and project manage contractual compliance requirements that necessitate audit oversight, ensuring alignment with programmatic and operational teams.

• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of internal controls, recommending enhancements to strengthen compliance and risk mitigation.

• Provide guidance and consultation to departments on improving quality control practices and internal processes.

Organizational Support

• Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to leadership on matters of governance, risk, and compliance.

• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $138,000-$151,800/annually. CEO's compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors including experience, internal equity, and the labor market associated with the city in which the position is located. The labor markets associated with the cities in which CEO is based are variable, and the salary range included here reflects this. Our salary offer will fall within this range and will be reflective of the labor market of the city in which the position is based, as well the other factors named above.

We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as professional development opportunities to our staff.

We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.

More About Us

Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.