Head of Internal Audit

Title: Head of Internal Audit

Location: Bedminster, NJ / Austin, TX (Hybrid - 3 days in office) 

Reporting to: Board of Directors and Chief Risk Officer 

About Hippo:

Hippo exists to protect the joy of homeownership. We believe that insurance should protect the things you treasure through an intuitive, modern experience. We provide tailored insurance coverage and preventative maintenance plans that keep you protected throughout your homeowner journey. We’ll also help you find coverage for everything life brings—from auto to flood—reimagining how you care for your home.

About The Role: 

The Head of Internal Audit will lead the Internal Audit function for Hippo. This role oversees all internal audit activity across the company, providing independent, objective assurance and advice to the Board of Directors (via the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee (ARCC) and senior management on the design adequacy and operating effectiveness of Hippo’s governance, risk management and internal control processes. This will also involve establishing a long-term strategy that optimizes internal and external resources to deliver an effective internal audit service commensurate with Hippo’s size and scale. The HIA reports functionally to the Chair of the ARCC and administratively to a member of Executive Management.  

What You’ll Do: 

• Develop and execute a risk-based Internal Audit plan that aligns with Hippo’s strategic objectives and risk profile, including key technology and data risks (e.g. AI, cybersecurity, privacy, third-party risk, IT general controls, application controls, and cloud governance) with the ability to adapt to changing business priorities and emerging risks
• Establish a scalable resourcing strategy, including defining and managing a co-sourced audit model and hiring internal talent over time as appropriate
• Oversee the execution of operational, financial, compliance, and technology audits that include coverage of automation-heavy workflows and AI-enabled processes, ensuring that findings and recommendations are pragmatic, actionable and add value to Hippo
• Lead the planning, coordination, and oversight of SOC 2 examinations, including scoping, readiness activities, evidence collection, auditor selection/management, fieldwork support, issue remediation tracking, and timely delivery of high-quality SOC 2 reports aligned to business, customer, and regulatory expectations.Deliver clear and insightful reporting to the ARCC, the Enterprise Risk Committee and other key stakeholders on audit results, risk trends, and the effectiveness of the control environment
• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership to continuously strengthen governance, risk management, and internal control frameworks across the organization
• Uphold the highest professional standards by ensuring the Internal Audit function adheres to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) International Professional Practices Framework and other relevant guidance
• Foster and manage key relationships with external auditors, regulators, and other assurance providers
• Provide oversight and independent assurance over the annual SOX compliance program and ICFR environment, including coordination with external service provider on testing, deficiency evaluation, and reporting, while maintaining appropriate independence and alignment with public company requirements 

Must Haves:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Finance, Accounting, Business, Risk Management or related field
• Professional certification such as CPA, CIA or equivalent
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive internal audit, external audit or risk assurance experience
• Extensive experience in the P&C insurance or reinsurance industry with deep understanding of the insurance value chain. Insurtech or fintech experience is strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of risk-based audit methodologies, internal controls, and governance frameworks, including public company expectations (e.g. SEC reporting and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) requirements)
• Strong understanding of SEC reporting requirements, and global risk management practices
• Experience presenting to and advising Audit Committees and senior management in a publicly traded company environment
• Exceptional communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills

Personal Attributes:

• Unquestionable integrity and the highest ethical standards
• A strategic and commercially minded leader with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Exceptional influencing skills with the ability to drive change across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated agility and a results-driven mindset, capable of thriving in a dynamic, fast paced environment

Benefits and Perks

Hippo treats its team members with the same level of dedication and care as we do our customers, which is why we’re fortunate to provide all of our Hippos with:

• Healthy Hippos Benefits - Multiple medical plan options, 100% covered dental and vision for you and your family, and a wellness program that rewards healthy habits. We also offer a 401(k)-retirement plan, short & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Equity - This position is eligible for equity compensation 
• Training and Career Growth - Training and internal career growth opportunities
• Flexible Time Off - You know when and how you should recharge
• Little Hippos Program - We offer 12 weeks of parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers
• Hippo Habitat - Snacks and drinks available for onsite employees 

The Bedminster, NJ base pay range for this role is $170,000 - $250,000. Exact compensation may vary based on several job-related factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to: skill set, experience, education/training, location, business needs and market demands.

Hippo is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Hippo’s applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to an applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Hippo applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact the Hippo’s People Team to make the need for an accommodation known.