Senior Director of Internal Audit

The Senior Director of Internal Audit will lead the internal audit function for Lee Enterprises (NASDAQ: LEE). This role provides independent assurance to the Audit and Risk Management Committee on the adequacy and effectiveness of the company’s internal control systems, risk management, and governance processes. The position reports functionally to the Audit and Risk Management Committee and administratively to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute a comprehensive risk-based internal audit plan aligned with the company’s strategic goals and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance to enhance internal controls, operational efficiency, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Audit Oversight
• Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of SOX audits and collaborate with IT audit consultant to perform testing of IT controls.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality audit reports with actionable recommendations for process improvement.
• Oversee Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance efforts, including testing of controls.
• Interacts with and provides direct assistance to the external auditors based on agreed upon hours and control testing.
• Conducts special studies for corporate management such as those required to discover mechanics of detected fraud and to recommends controls for fraud prevention.
• Risk Management
• In collaboration with the Company’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team, Identify emerging risks specific to the media industry, such as cybersecurity threats, intellectual property protection, third-party risks, and data governance.
• Collaborate with management to implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on risk management and governance issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Audit and Risk Management Committee, external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Team Leadership
• Manage and mentor a team of internal audit professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ensure adherence to professional standards and best practices in internal auditing.
• Data Analytics & Technology
• Leverage data analytics tools to enhance audit effectiveness and identify trends or anomalies in key business processes.
• In collaboration with GRC team and IT audit consultant, assess IT systems for vulnerabilities and ensure robust cybersecurity measures are in place.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, or CISA are required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience with a combination of both audit and operational roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Deep knowledge of risk assessment methodologies, SOX compliance requirements, and internal audit standards.

Key Competencies

• Strong understanding of media industry risks such as advertising revenue fluctuations, digital transformation challenges, and intellectual property concerns.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions and communicate complex information effectively to executive leadership.
• Expertise in leveraging technology for audit processes (e.g., data analytics tools).

Compensation & Location

• Base compensation $180,000 – $200,000 with opportunity for bonus.
• Hybrid work environment with regular travel to Company HQ in Davenport, IA around peak times.

This role offers an opportunity to shape the internal audit function within a dynamic media company while contributing to its operational resilience and strategic success.

Why Join Us?

Lee Enterprises offers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with career growth opportunities. We offer an extensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefit program includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. Options also include health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and transit/parking accounts. In addition, we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. Employees are eligible for 7 recognized company paid holidays each year. We also offer a generous flexible time off policy to allow employee to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents.

Lee Enterprises is a major subscription and advertising platform and a leading provider of local news and information, with daily newspapers, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 72 markets in 25 states. Our core commitment is to provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities we serve.

Lee Enterprises is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For more information about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net .

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role but do not meet 100% of the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply.

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