Executive Director, Audit

Trustmark is looking for an Executive Director, Audit.

Responsible for advancing a disciplined, risk-based audit program focused on strengthening the company’s control environment, improving audit rigor, and preparing the organization for public-company-level expectations around internal controls, documentation, remediation, and governance. Proactively identifies emerging risks, partners with senior leaders to drive sustainable control improvements, and communicates audit insights to the ELT, Audit Committee, external auditors, and other key stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities:

Lead efforts to strengthen the internal control environment by applying public-company-style rigor to risk assessment, control design, documentation, testing, deficiency evaluation, and remediation follow-up.

Provide proactive advice, counsel and recommendations to the ELT and Audit Committee based on audit activity, control trends, emerging risks, remediation status, and business priorities.

Manage day-to-day execution of Internal Audit operations, ensuring audit plans, testing approaches, reporting and follow-up activities are risk-based, high quality, timely and aligned with enterprise priorities.

Develop, coach, and lead a high-performing Audit team that demonstrates technical depth, business acumen, accountability, independence, and credibility with leaders across the organization.

Serve as a key liaison and trusted delegate for the Vice President, Audit with the Audit Committee, external auditors and executive stakeholders, demonstrating executive presence and governance-ready communication.

Oversee Internal Audit’s independent ICFR control testing activities, including testing quality, evidence expectations, and issue escalation. Provide ongoing consultation to the ICFR Steering Committee on remediation discipline and readiness for increased regulatory or public-company expectations.

Anticipate and assess complex business, financial, operational, technology and compliance risks; use sound judgment and enterprise knowledge to recommend practical, risk-balanced solutions.

Partner effectively with independent auditors to coordinate audit scope, reliance strategy, timing, evidence expectations, and resolution of control matters.

Direct key initiatives that modernize audit practices, strengthen controls, improve issue management, and enhance audit insights through data, analytics, and continuous improvement.

Prepare and deliver clear, executive-ready reporting on audit results, control environment themes, remediation progress and risk implications for senior leadership and governance forums.

Other duties as needed/assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

10+ years of progressive internal audit, risk, controls, public accounting, or related experience, including significant leadership experience in audit management or enterprise controls.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and build trusted partnerships while maintaining independence and objectivity.

Strong understanding of internal controls, ICFR, risk-based audit methodology, control documentation, deficiency evaluation, and remediation practices.

Demonstrated experience leveraging audit technology, data analytics, automation, and continuous monitoring techniques to enhance audit effectiveness, improve risk identification, increase audit coverage, and drive more efficient assurance activities.

Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex audit, risk and control matters clearly, confidently, and concisely to senior leadership and governance audiences.

Proactive business orientation; ability to anticipate risk, drive accountability and recommend practical solutions that strengthen the control environment.

Preferred:

Insurance, financial services, or other regulated industry experience.

CPA, CIA, CISA, or other relevant professional certification.

Experience implementing and overseeing audit analytics, continuous auditing, automation, audit management systems, and emerging technologies (including AI-enabled capabilities) within an internal audit function.

The compensation range for this role is (based on the corporate location in Lake Forest, Illinois):

$136,933 - $204,463 per year

The final salary offer will be determined based on factors such as location, qualifications, experience, skill set, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for bonus. We understand that compensation is an important factor when considering a new opportunity, and we strive to provide a competitive salary within the market.

Brand: Trustmark

In addition to compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Health/dental/vision, life insurance, FSA and HSA, 401(k) plan, Employee Assistant Program, Back-up Care for Children, Adults and Elders and many health and wellness initiatives. We also offer a Wellness program that enables employees to participate in health initiatives to reduce their insurance premiums. For questions about compensation and benefits, please speak to the Recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

Trustmark is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our people and our business. We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.