Operational Audit Lead

Operational Audit Lead

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Hybrid work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in hybrid work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose:

This role is responsible for conducting risk assessment activities and developing appropriate audit programs for complex and varied global and regional topics (operational, financial, compliance, and/or IT). This role is responsible for managing internal audit projects including budgeting, timeline monitoring, completing fieldwork testing, and directing other internal audit members and/or co-sourcing resources to complete assigned areas of the audit programs.  The role is responsible for preparing final audit reports, conduct thorough follow-up work on identified issues to ensure remediation actions are completed, and will support in communications with Astellas Top Management and the Audit and Supervisory Committee.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Supporting the Operational Audit Business Partner, the role will be responsible for:

1.       Annual Risk Assessment and Continual Risk Monitoring

Assist in the identification and evaluation of the organization’s risks and provide input to the development of the Annual Audit Plan.

• Participate in assigned risk interviews with key stakeholders, formally summarize results, and identify key themes and trends to propose annual audit projects.
• Conduct independent research and leverage personal network to evaluate pharmaceutical industry risks and monitor for regulatory changes and emerging risks. 
• Maintain the global risk register and support the Audit Business Partner in longer term audit planning.

2.       Internal Audit Project Management 

Lead complex global and regional projects as assigned. Responsibilities include end-to-end project delivery (e.g., planning, budgeting, fieldwork, and reporting):

• Lead and conduct interviews with stakeholders in order to evaluate risks and review internal documents to deliver Audit Planning Summary and Audit Scope Memorandum for each project to the directors of Internal Audit.  
• Prepare audit budgets, timelines, and resource allocations for review by the directors of Internal Audit.
• Prepare and complete a draft audit program and fieldwork testing plan to assess the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls.
• Manage audit fieldwork processes including walkthroughs, workpaper documentation, and identification of audit observations. Communicate results via written audit reports and oral audit presentations to key stakeholders and senior management.
• Develop and maintain productive client, staff, and management relationships.
• Provide advice and counsel to management to help improve internal processes and controls.

3.       Co-source oversight

Responsible to provide day to day oversight of third-party co-source members supporting assigned audit projects, including:

• Ensuring roles and responsibilities are well understood across the team.
• Timely delivery of workpapers and agreed deliverables, including results which meets the quality requirements aligned to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards and Framework.
• Managing budgets of individual projects and escalating potential overruns

4.       Other Responsibilities

• Coordinate and partner with other governance functions including Risk Management, Compliance, and Quality Assurance to ensure risk coverage and avoid duplication.
• Lead or perform other internal initiatives to achieve the vision of Internal Audit.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree
• Relevant professional auditing and accounting certifications preferred (e.g. Chartered Accountant, Chartered Internal Auditor, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Information System Auditor etc.).
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in internal auditing, accounting, or compliance; including previous management and supervisory experience. 3 of the 6 years can be project management, team management and other relevant organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required, including English.
• Strong data analysis, analytical and organizational skills.
• Proven experience in managing and leading internal audits consistent with professional standards, policies, and procedures is required.

Qualifications Preferred:

• Previous internal audit or public accounting experience in a nationally recognized firm (e.g. Big 4, or global and publicly traded) as well as life science industry preferred.
• Subject matter expertise in medical research and development related activities (e.g., healthcare compliance, operations, fraud).
• Previous experience working with data analytics tools (e.g., Qlik, Tableau) or secondary degrees / certificates / coursework to support analytics (e.g., Mathematics, Computer Science, Management Information Systems)

Working Environment:

• At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

Salary Range: $122,500 - $192,500 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

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