Director Audit Services
- SMUD
- Hybrid (Sacramento, CA, USA)
- $197,953 - $275,724 yearly
Job Description
This posting will remain open until a sufficient quantity of qualified applicants have been received and may close at any time after June 16th, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to ensure they are considered.
The intent of this posting is to fill one regular full-time, non-Civil Service (at-will) position.
The Director, Audit Services is a key leadership position responsible for advancing SMUD’s internal audit strategy and providing independent oversight to management and the Board of Directors. This role requires a forward-thinking professional who can assess risk, develop audit plans aligned to organizational priorities, and advise on governance, controls, and compliance. This is a highly visible role that contributes directly to SMUD’s ability to manage risk, meet organizational goals and objectives, and deliver reliable and affordable electricity to our community. The ideal candidate will bring strong audit leadership, audit expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships across a complex organization.
Purpose
The Director, Audit Services is responsible for managing and directing the activities of the Audit and Quality Services Department (AQS). AQS provides independent, impartial, and innovative audit services that evaluate SMUD’s risks, controls, and governance activities. This includes independent evaluation and reporting on SMUD’s system of internal controls, quality programs and the accuracy and adequacy of SMUD information and policies by developing and administering a comprehensive audit and review program.
Nature and Scope
The Director, Audit Services has a dual reporting relationship. While the director is a member of SMUD’s senior management team and reports to the General Manager & CEO, the director also provides independent, impartial assurance and consulting services to the SMUD Board of Directors.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identifies and assesses business risk areas for SMUD and plans audit activities in the areas of greatest risk. Coordinates risk assessment with SMUD’s Enterprise Risk Management function. Develops annual and long-range audit plans to monitor risk areas.
- Develops and administers comprehensive audit plans for operational, financial and informational system audits to ensure compliance with management duties and procedures and adequacy of controls. Advises SMUD management on operational, financial or information systems in need of improvement or not in compliance with established policies, procedures and controls.
- Ensures audit work is performed within acceptable audit standards and meets applicable budget and schedules. Represents SMUD’s internal audit function to external auditors and other outside agencies.
- Supports SMUD’s regulatory compliance activities including activities associated with California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and other associated regulatory bodies.
- Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.
Required Education
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or related field.
Required Experience Qualifications
- At least ten (10+) years of progressively responsible experience in internal auditing, external auditing, IT auditing, governance, risk and/or control including management of staff.
Knowledge Of
- Auditing theory techniques and procedures; Electronic data processing auditing techniques and IT systems and capabilities; Quality, management and organizational fundamentals; Environmental auditing; Financial and administrative controls; Accounting theory and methods; Government and Financial accounting standards; Statistical methods; Law, Finance and construction practices; Fundamentals of project management; Utility operations and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) accounting; FERC/NEC Reliability Standards; Supervisory techniques such as motivating, training, counseling, evaluating, and utilizing personnel effectively.
Skills To
- Plan, organize and schedule audit activities and establish priorities; Assess risk and significance; Supervise a professional staff; Read and interpret contracts and other legal documents; Analyze and evaluate complex data; Communicate orally and in writing effectively; Deal tactfully and diplomatically with elected officials and all levels of management; Use personal computers (word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and the Internet).
Desirable Qualifications
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Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position may be eligible for SMUD's remote work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
CalPERS
SMUD is a CalPERS agency. As a member of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), SMUD offers eligible employees access to a defined benefit pension plan along with other valuable retirement and health benefits. This program helps provide financial security both during your career and after retirement. To learn more about CalPERS and the benefits it offers, please visit www.calpers.ca.gov.
We recommend you create a SMUD Candidate account through our SMUD Careers page, upload your resume and cover letter to be considered for this and other open position.
As the nation’s sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for over 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. See a map of our service area.
Read more about SMUD's history
Some facts and figures
- Population in our service area: 1.5 million
- Size of our service area: 900 square miles
- Total accounts served (residential + business): 673,318 (as of Dec. 2024)
- Number of SMUD employees: 2,418
- Miles of power lines we own: 11,476
Proud to be among the best
We're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Happy, satisfied and engaged employees create a workplace that best serves our customers. That's one reason we're also first among all California utilities in customer satisfaction.
Our commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion
We respect, value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives of each individual. Diversity, equity and inclusion are guiding principles to deliver a culture that reflects the broader values of the community and our customers.