Director, Internal Audit (IWK Health)

About Us

At Service Nova Scotia, we impact every citizen, business and municipality in Nova Scotia. Our mandate is to design and deliver programs and services to meet the needs of our clients and the public good through a culture of excellence.  Our vision is to be a recognized leader in service and public protection that delivers trusted, accessible, modern programs, and contributes to Nova Scotia as a safe and desirable place to live, work and do business.

About Our Opportunity

The Nova Scotia Internal Audit Centre (‘IAC’) is looking for a seasoned professional to lead an internal audit team on behalf of IWK Health (‘IWK’). The IWK provides quality care to women, children, youth, and families in the Maritime provinces and beyond. In addition to providing highly specialized (tertiary) care, the IWK also provides primary care services. Additionally, the IWK is engaged in leading-edge research working to promote healthy lifestyles for families and supporting education opportunities for health professionals and other learners.

The Director will be accountable for administering internal audit activities for the IWK under the direction of the IWK’s Finance, Audit, and Risk Management Committee (‘Audit Committee’) and the Executive Director of IAC. In this role you will support management, and the Audit Committee, in the effective discharge of their responsibilities by providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services that add value while improving operations.

Primary Accountabilities

• Supports the development and implementation of a long-term strategic plan for the provision of audit and advisory services to the IWK.
• Establishes measurable objectives that guide the audit team in performing their work to promote the economic, effective, and efficient use of taxpayer resources.
• Prepares a risk-based and prioritized audit plan that aligns with the strategic goals of IWK.
• Manages, executes, and also leads internal audit engagements.
• Promotes and maintains the IAC objectives by ensuring consistency within the IAC, adhering to the mission, vision, and values, providing oversight for continuous improvement, and supporting innovation through strong leadership and active involvement with audit staff and engagements.
• Maintains an effective internal audit team that aligns with best practices, complies with the Global Internal Audit Standards, and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the IAC.
• Ensures the team complies with office processes, IAC practices, IWK policies, standards, and applicable rules of professional conduct during the performance of engagements, including effective management of staff, human resources, and financial resources.
• Provides timely and appropriate reporting to the Executive Director of the IAC with regular, formal updates regarding staffing issues, audit scheduling, and follow-up activities.
• Maintains front end audit consultations with the IWK Senior Leadership Team including advocating the benefits of Internal Audit.
• Liaises with leaders at the IAC for the purposes of quality assurance and professional development for the IWK and IAC internal audit teams.
• Builds and maintains a two-way communications network with the IWK Senior Leadership Team, peers in other jurisdictions and industries, external consultants, and others for the purpose of sharing knowledge related to best practices and emerging issues.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant audit experience. You hold an accounting or auditing designation (e.g. CPA, CIA, and/or CISA) and thorough knowledge of governance, risk management, and internal controls. Having a Master's degree (MPA, MBA) and/or experience with evaluation criteria relative to clinical and/or patient safety standards are considered assets. 

You’ve shown a commitment to continuous learning and keeping pace with evolving technology to meet the needs of organizations in the internet era.  This includes things like exploring agile ways of working, how to communicate and collaborate with clients virtually, data analytics and visualization, and effective ways of presenting information.

The Director must have strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to exercise discretion while working with confidential information. You are a high-level performer with the demonstrated strong ability to multi-task, manage projects, and to lead and develop professional staff. You are also a champion of employee engagement and promote a diverse, inclusive culture where employees feel valued and engaged.

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness & Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering & Relationship Building, and Intercultural & Diversity Proficiency.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus