The Vice President, Corporate Internal Audit (Chief Audit Executive) is responsible for leading a multi-location internal audit function of approximately 15 professional staff. This position reports directly to the Audit Committee of Biogen's Board of Directors and administratively to the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The position is a key member of the Finance/IT Leadership Team (FILT) and works collaboratively with second line assurance functions (e.g., Corporate Compliance, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), etc.) and senior management throughout Biogen to enhance and protect shareholder value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight with respect to the company's governance, risk, control, and compliance practices.
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The position requires relevant experience in the Bio-Pharmaceutical or Life Sciences Industry and ideally a mix of public accounting/internal audit and non-audit experience, including sound information technology and financial and operational control knowledge. The role also requires strong leadership skills, an independent and objective mindset, sound business acumen, effective presentation and written communication skills, as well as the ability to recruit, develop, and lead a diverse, high-performing professional and international team.
What You'll Do
Corporate Internal Audits
- Develop and execute an annual risk-based audit plan that includes US and International audits aligned with internal and external risks and company strategies. The audit plan addresses key business practices, financial processes and controls, operational areas, and information technology and related security activities, including tracking audit findings through to remediation.
- 3rd Party Audit Program: Develop and direct the conduct of audits of several key 3rd parties (e.g., vendors, distributors, collaborations, etc.). Oversee and coordinate 3rd party resources utilized in completing these audits.
- Provide an independent appraisal of controls over financial integrity, operational effectiveness, IT controls over core operations, security, privacy, and high availability, as well as compliance with pertinent laws and company policies
Board of Directors and Audit Committee
- Present to the Audit Committee at regular intervals, in person and telephonically.
- Communications include, but are not limited to, risk assessment and audit plan development, departmental goals, key themes and trends, performance against plan, specific audit reports, advisory projects, investigations, independence issues, and conformance with professional standards.
- Prepare concise and well-organized pre-read documentation in advance of meetings.
Manage the Audit Function
- Manage the Internal Audit function in conformance with the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing established by the Institute of Internal Auditors, including, but not limited to:
- Maintaining independence and objectivity
- Establishing departmental strategy, annual goals, and budgets aligned with professional best practices and company priorities.
- Establishing and maintaining appropriate audit process methodologies, practices, and technology capabilities, and associated Quality Management program
- Ensuring audit resources (staff and budget) are appropriate, and efficiently and effectively deployed
- Maintains effective communication of audit results, audit plan status, and other issues to Executive Management
- Establishes and proactively maintains an appropriate organizational structure with respect to location, number, level, and competencies, as well as effective staff development and succession plans across all levels of staff
Risk Management & Coordination with Second Line Assurance Functions
- Coordinate risk assessment and audit/monitoring coverages with key second-line assurance functions, such as Corporate Compliance, SOX Project Management Office, ERM, GxP, etc.
- Participate and provide advice and input into the company's ERM program and annual risk assessment and reporting process.
Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Compliance
- Coordinate financial internal controls testing plans with the Corporate Controller's and Information Technology function and external auditors (PwC). Execute testing in a timely, high-quality, and cost-effective manner, enabling the highest level of reliance permissible by regulations/PwC in order to minimize redundancy and external audit fees.
Other
- Participates, as appropriate, in an advisory or governance capacity while maintaining independence to committees (e.g., Corporate Compliance, Disclosure, ERM working group)
- At the direction of Legal, participates in investigations
Who You Are
You are a strong leader with technical audit skills (including IT audit and industry knowledge), an excellent project manager and communicator, with a sense of urgency/drive for results, and a constructive mindset to assist the company in effectively managing its risks and opportunities. You have a passion to lead a high-performing, best-in-class internal audit function that operates in a professional, disciplined, productive, and structured manner in order to ensure the Audit Committee and Management are provided with a high level of assurance services.
The position requires the following specific attributes:
- Excellent listening, verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
- Strong operational capability and sense of urgency to drive completion of audit plan and achievement of annual departmental initiatives
- Working knowledge of major business processes and compliance/risk issues related to the bio-pharmaceutical industry
- Solid understanding of U.S. GAAP, PCAOB, and IIA Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.
- Strong technical internal audit skills, including IT audit and knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 and related financial control requirements
- Solid knowledge of governance, risk management, and compliance program frameworks
- Ability to interact collaboratively, yet objectively, with senior/executive level management and Board of Director members
- Ability to build solid, collaborative working relationships with auditees
- Ability to quickly assimilate relevant information in unfamiliar situations, identify issues, and root causes
- Superior analytical and critical thinking skills
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills
- Passion to continuously help improve operations and enhance/preserve shareholder value
- Sound judgment and ability to act independently
- High personal standards and professional ethics with a commitment to excellence
Education, Certification, and Experience
- BA/BS in Accounting or Finance
- 15+ years of diversified (i.e., audit and non-audit) experience required, including a minimum 8 years of public accounting and/or internal audit experience and 5 years of relevant industry experience
- Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor
Job Level: Executive
Additional Information
The base compensation range for this role is: -
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees' and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.