Our Client seeks a strategic and ethical System Chief Audit Executive (CAE) to serve as a trusted advisor to the Board of Regents and the Chancellor. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-performing Office of Audit Services within one of the nation’s top public university systems.

About the System

The System includes five universities, more than 64,000 students, 21,000 employees, and a $3.7 billion annual budget. With a statewide economic impact of $19.2 billion and a $3 billion endowment, the System is positioned for unprecedented growth and prosperity. The System is comprised of 5 component universities.

The Role

The CAE leads a dedicated team providing independent, risk-based, and objective assurance and advisory services across the System. Reporting functionally to the Board through its Audit Committee and administratively to the Chancellor, the CAE will:

• Serve as the principal advisor on audit, governance, risk, and compliance matters.
• Develop and execute a dynamic, risk-based audit strategy aligned with systemwide goals.
• Anticipate and address emerging risks, including IT, cybersecurity, compliance, and financial challenges.
• Oversee investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse with integrity and discretion.
• Foster strong collaboration with presidents, senior leadership, compliance officers, and external auditors.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a professional team that embodies the System’s values: People First, Integrity, Community, Exemplary Service, and Resilience.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

The next CAE will be a seasoned, strategic, and ethical audit leader who:

• Leads with humility, courage and transparency, and embodies the System’s core values and culture.
• Embraces innovation in risk assessment, internal controls, and data-informed auditing, and stays ahead of emerging risks, including cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and financial pressures.
• Brings experience from higher education, corporate, government, health care or other complex sectors, with the ability to translate industry best practices to a public university system setting.
• Demonstrates impeccable integrity, objectivity and communication skills, including the ability to deliver hard truths constructively and impartially.
• Has the presence, discretion and judgment to navigate a political and public-facing environment, and operates from a place of understanding.
• Is viewed as a valued partner and trusted adviser, not just a monitor—offering insights that help the organization grow stronger, not just identifying problems.
• Embraces a servant leader philosophy that builds collaborative partnerships with individuals at all levels, including subject matter experts to ensure effective audits.
• Can operate confidently, confidentially and transparently in board-level conversations, offering assurance, honesty and professional courage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in accounting, business, law, public policy, or relate field preferred.
• Credentialing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) required; Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent professional certification also preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in audit, enterprise risk management, financial controls, or regulatory oversight—with at least 3 years of auditing experience and 5 years in a leadership role.
• Prior experience reporting directly to a governing board or audit committee is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of governmental regulations, higher education governance, and enterprise risk management practices.
• The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking servant leader with impeccable integrity, credibility, and excellent judgment—someone who not only identifies risk but also helps shape solutions that strengthen the institution.

Location

A vibrant and growing community known for its rich culture, thriving arts and music scene, strong healthcare and education sectors, and affordable quality of life.

To Apply

Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics has been retained by the System for this national search. To express interest, please submit your cover letter and CV electronically to Mike “JR” Wheless, Michael Ballew, Scott Watson, or Florene Stawowy to:

SystemCAE@AnthemExecutive.com

Confidential Referrals are also welcome.

While letters of interest may be accepted until the position is filled, interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible to assure full consideration. Anthem and the System reserve the right to end or extend the expression of interest, application and nomination process at any time. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in accounting, business, law, public policy, or relate field preferred.
• Credentialing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) required; Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or equivalent professional certification also preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in audit, enterprise risk management, financial controls, or regulatory oversight—with at least 3 years of auditing experience and 5 years in a leadership role.
• Prior experience reporting directly to a governing board or audit committee is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of governmental regulations, higher education governance, and enterprise risk management practices.
• The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking servant leader with impeccable integrity, credibility, and excellent judgment—someone who not only identifies risk but also helps shape solutions that strengthen the institution.