Chief Auditor

Chief Auditor

This leadership position reports to the Board Chair and the Chief Executive Officer. The position actively supports and delivers on Tri-State's mission to provide Member Systems with a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity while maintaining a sound financial position through effective utilization of human, capital and physical resources in accordance with cooperative principles, through management and direction of Internal Audit activities. The role is accountable for providing managerial direction to Internal Audit Staff in the application of the Internal Audit Program and internal audit function as established by Board Policy 509 - Internal Audit Policy.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes : Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Responsibilities :

Management

Direct and manage independent and objective audit and advisory services designed to add value and improve the organization's operations.

Direct internal audit activities in accordance with the Institute of Internal Auditors' International Professional Practices Framework, including the Global Internal Audit Standards and Topical Requirements.

Develop and manage a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the organization's risk management, controls and governance processes.

Communications / Business Relationships

Communicate in a timely, accurate, and qualitative manner to support evaluation of adherence to current internal and external business practices associated with each audit or advisory engagement.

Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Staff, External Auditors and Consultants, while giving adequate consideration to engagement requests to support the organization's objectives.

Collaborates effectively as a member of the senior staff team, fostering a culture of shared leadership and strategic alignment. Coordinates with peer leaders across departments to ensure cohesive decision-making, integrated planning, and the successful execution of organizational priorities.

Business Continuity / Crisis Management :

Directs the development, implementation and continuous improvement of an enterprise business continuity / crisis management function that identifies the process for establishing authorities, responsibilities, rules and guidelines that ensure business continuity and 100% compliance.

Ensures the annual review and revision of all programs, procedures and plan documents related to business continuity and crisis management.

Ensures compliance with all federal, state, county and local laws and regulations related to business continuity standards and guidelines.

Ensuring that appropriate relationships are established with agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and similar organizations.

Leadership Accountabilities :

Help develop and actively promote Tri-State leadership norms and demonstrate effective decision making.

Model enterprise first behavior, expect same from colleagues, and instill same in all direct reports and all indirect and support personnel.

Conduct professional development planning, set priorities and rebalance priorities as needed to ensure company priority direction, with all direct reports, and evaluate according to plan and unforeseen events.

Set high standards for all strategic planning, quality control, and cost containment.

Managerial Responsibilities :

Ensure 100% compliance with all laws, rules, regulations and requirements in functional areas.

Ensure that established business processes are captured and maintained as part of Tri-State's Policies, Programs and Procedures (PP&P) strategy.

Ensures that training and development needs for each employee have been identified and that adequate learning opportunities are provided. Ensures that employees provide coaching and mentoring opportunities as appropriate.

Ensures that team and individual employee execution is evaluated against established goals and objectives for all accountabilities. Ensures that delegated functions effectively forecast work and resource needs, including human, capital and physical resources, and recommends annual budgets to meet goals and objectives aligned to support enterprise strategies, goals and objectives. Actively monitors performance against budget, identifies variances, and backcasts against forecasts to identify and learn from error.

Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.

Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

Qualifications :

Education and Training :

Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Accounting, Information Technology, or related area, or equivalent experience gained through progressively greater responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability :

Deep understanding of internal audit functions and ability to implement independent and objective audits.

Knowledge of internal audit standards and practices ensuring strong adherence to ethics and professionalism.

Demonstrated consultative ability to develop and implement needed controls as identified through audits to ensure acceptable and defensible practices.

Strong facilitation skills and a clear ability to build strong relationships with business stakeholders at all levels, including Board Members, Member Managers, executive managers and external auditors.

Strategic long-term planning and goal setting to anticipate future opportunities and issues.

Knowledge of business continuity and crisis management practices and measures.

Knowledge of enterprise risk management functions and frameworks.

Excellent written and verbal communications and the ability to articulate ideas to varying audiences.

Ability to quickly grasp how new technologies work and how they might be applied to achieve business goals.

Knowledge of technological trends and developments in information security and risk management.

Strong, proven problem-solving skills and the ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems, driving solutions through to completion.

Demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams, delivering high performance and customer satisfaction.

Experience :

Ten (10) years of related experience involving electrical utility experience, and two (2) years of management level experience including supervisory responsibilities.

Other :

Willingness to travel as required for training and meetings throughout service territory. (Must possess a valid driver's license.)

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is desired.

Public accounting firm or management consulting firm experience desired.

About Us :

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 43 members, including 40 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states : Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., approximately 1,200 people are employed by Tri-State across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower, with a rapidly increasing supply generated from wind and solar. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines. Tri-State's transformative Responsible Energy Plan is reducing emissions, increasing renewable resources, developing new energy services and delivering more flexibility for its members.