Executive Director, Internal Audit

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.  Service Nova Scotia’s 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. To learn more about our department, please click on the following link: Department of Service Nova Scotia - Government of Nova Scotia

The Internal Audit Centre division is looking for an executive leader with substantial experience in internal auditing to join their dynamic team of professionals.

About Our Opportunity

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and executive direction for the Province’s Internal Audit Centre - the central provider of independent, objective assurance and consulting services across the Government of Nova Scotia. The Internal Audit Centre (IAC) has a vision to provide industry leading internal audit services that have a profound and positive impact on Nova Scotians. The Internal Audit Centre strengthens government’s ability to create, protect, and sustain value by evaluating and improving risk management, internal controls, governance, and operational performance. Its work enhances government’s decision-making, accountability, and ability to deliver services effectively in the public interest.

Reporting functionally to the Deputy Ministers’ Audit Committee and administratively to the Deputy Chair of the Committee, the Executive Director leads a province-wide audit mandate spanning all government departments, the Public Service Commission, and audit services delivered to IWK Health through a Memorandum of Understanding. The Executive Director acts as the principal advisor on audit matters, independence, and systemic issues, and is an ex-officio member of the Deputy Ministers’ Audit Committee.

This executive role leads a highly skilled team in a centralized audit environment and is responsible for enterprise audit planning, modernizing audit practices, ensuring compliance with IIA Global Internal Audit Standards, overseeing fraud risk management, and advising senior leaders on complex risks and emerging issues. The Executive Director plays a critical role in enhancing governance, financial stewardship, and public trust across the provincial public sector.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the design and oversight of the province’s risk-based audit strategy, including the annual Internal Audit Strategic Plan and perpetual internal audit plan, long-term planning, and quarterly reporting to the Deputy Ministers’ Audit Committee.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement in audit methodologies, data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital audit tools, fraud risk management, and quality assurance in alignment with global best practices.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing audit workforce, ensuring strong expertise in IT audit, data analytics, fraud investigations, financial controls, risk management, and governance, and fostering a workplace grounded in IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility) and psychological safety.
• Provide executive oversight of internal audit services delivered to IWK Health, including audit planning, reporting, and engagement oversight through the Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee.
• Ensure the integrity and quality of all audit engagements, including planning, execution, reporting, team composition, consultant oversight, and follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Provide leadership for the province’s fraud risk management program, including fraud prevention, fraud reporting mechanisms, investigations, and the Fraud Risk Management Committee.
• Oversee digital audit systems and tools, including electronic working papers, audit management, analytics environments, and IT system controls.
• Manage the Centre’s financial and administrative operations, including budgeting, forecasting, recoveries, procurement, freedom of information (i.e., FOIPOP) responses, records management, and compliance with corporate policies.
• Represent and advocate for internal audit across government, strengthening the Centre’s independence, influence, and value through communication, relationship-building, and authoritative advice to senior leaders and oversight bodies.
• Lead the development and communication of the Internal Audit Centre’s mission, vision, and long-term strategy, ensuring alignment with government priorities, emerging risks, and public-sector expectations.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this opportunity, you hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as business, commerce, public accounting, as well as a minimum of 10 years of relevant audit experience, including experience in a senior audit role. This position requires substantial experience in strategic leadership, audit expertise, and governance insight. 

The Executive Director must maintain a proficient level of expertise as required by IIA Global Internal Audit Standards to fulfill the requirements of the position. As such, you hold an accounting and/or auditing designation (e.g. CPA, CIA).

You demonstrate exceptional judgement, political acuity, and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive, and confidential issues with professionalism and independence.

You possess advanced knowledge of internal audit standards, modern audit methodologies, and the full suite of assurance and advisory practices—including risk-based planning, data analytics, IT audit, fraud risk management, and performance auditing. You are known for building high-performing teams, fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace, and developing talent.

Financially and operationally astute, you excel in budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and resource optimization. You are also an exceptional communicator who can distill complex information for senior leaders, influence across partners, and strengthen governance through clear, actionable insight.

Further, you bring advanced analytical capability and the ability to anticipate emerging risks, as you identify systemic issues, and develop innovative, strategic solutions that enhance public-sector performance and trust.

The following would be considered assets:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant area (MPA, MBA)
• Any complementary certifications (e.g., CRMA, CISA, CFE)
• Experience with data analytics and/or artificial intelligence

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation. Please follow LEADS for more information.

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.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, 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 a comfortable office setting in Halifax. 

Please note that while the posting deadline is January 18, 2026, we will be starting our recruitment process prior to this, as applications are being submitted. As such, we look forward to receiving your application and invite you to apply at your earliest convenience.

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