Director of Internal Controls

Overview of SANDAG

We exist to maintain and improve the quality of life for everyone who calls this region home. The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is both a metropolitan planning organization and a council of governments, bringing together local decision-makers to develop solutions to regional issues including transportation, air quality, housing, and more.

With a $1B operating budget, 400 staff members, and a network of key community partners, SANDAG carefully tackles these regional issues with the communities we serve through a big-picture, coordinated approach. One of the primary ways we plan for the future is through the Regional Plan, a long-term vision for how we will transform the way people and goods move in the 21st century. We're hard at work bringing the plan to life by delivering near-term projects, identifying partnerships, seeking funding opportunities, and deploying pilot programs.

The agency is currently focused on speeding up delivery of major infrastructure projects throughout the region. This includes stabilizing the LOSSAN Corridor from erosion along the Del Mar bluffs and relocating the tracks off the bluffs, building regional transit connections to the San Diego International Airport, and strengthening cross border travel between U.S. and Mexico by creating a new, modern border crossing—the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. For more information, visit www.sandag.org. 

Role

The Internal Controls Director will plan, direct, and managethe organization’s internal controls and process improvement initiatives. This is a key leadership position focused on strengthening the agency’s operational excellence, transparency, and responsiveness. This role is dedicated to continuously improving organizational efficiency, fostering accountability, and enhancing internal collaboration and alignment across all agency departments.

• Lead and manage the agency’s Internal Controls Program, overseeing audit responses, action plans, ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and policies, and driving continuous improvement in internal control processes across the organization.
• Provide functional supervision to staff across the agency, advancing fiscal and contract compliance and maintain ongoing communication with senior leadership to stay informed about agency changes and emerging risks that may impact internal controls, serve as the primary liaison to the Office of the Independent Performance Auditor.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks that could negatively impact the agency’s operations, reputation, or financial health, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks and prepare regular status updates and executive reports for the Board of Directors, senior leadership, and relevant committees.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve agency operations; collaborate with departments to reduce duplication and enhance quality control and use data-driven insights to refine performance tracking, measure outcomes, and support decision-making that enhances transparency and accountability.
• Serve as a resource to departments, guiding the development of innovative strategies that improve efficiency and responsiveness.
• Conduct periodic and ad hoc reviews of internal controls across all functions, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance and meet with leadership to identify and resolve operational challenges, assign projects, and assess resource needs for program success.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and other visual tools to track performance and communicate key objectives to the Board of Directors, agency, employees, and the public.
• Manage and implement the Internal Controls Program in alignment with the Annual Program Budget; allocate resources and staffing as needed to achieve program goals.
• Supervise, mentor, and train staff, providing opportunities for professional growth and conducting performance evaluations; address performance issues when necessary and participate in disciplinary actions and support staff development by enhancing their understanding of how their roles contribute to the agency’s strategic goals and values.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, recommending and leading changes to improve agency’s performance and develop program objectives that align with the agency’s strategic priorities, ensuring resources are available and assisting with issue resolution to meet goals.
• Represent the Internal Controls Program to other departments, the Board of Directors, external agencies, and community groups, providing explanations and justifications for programs and policies.
• Prepare and present written and oral reports to the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, and other stakeholders, defending program initiatives and resolving sensitive issues and review and recommend updates to Board and internal policies, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry and agency best practices.
• Contribute actively to SANDAG’s strategic planning efforts and management decisions, addressing policy and operational challenges and establish and enforce procedures, controls, and policies to ensure the integrity of audit trails and compliance.
• Manage contracts with consultants and vendors, ensuring compliance with SANDAG standards and goals.
• Coordinate activities with other departments and external agencies to resolve sensitive issues and ensure effective collaboration.
• Provide high-level staff assistance to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operations Officer.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, committees, and task forces to stay informed on trends and innovations in internal controls and audits.

• A bachelor’s degree with major course work in finance, accounting, business management, or a related field. A masters degree is desirable.
• At least eight years of progressive career development managing and administering complex finance programs and services, preferably in a public agency environment, including four years of supervisory responsibility. 
• Demonstrated experience in providing administrative, management, and professional leadership in overseeing internal controls programs, audits, and compliance activities, preferably for a local, regional, or state organization and ability to supervise, mentor, and develop staff, while fostering a high-performing team that aligns with organizational goals.
• In-depth understanding of the principles and practices related to financial reporting, audits, cash management, risk assessment, and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Proven ability to assess, identify, and manage risks that could impact organizational performance, reputation, or financial health.
• Extensive knowledge of modern organizational, management, and strategic planning principles. Proven ability to develop and implement short- and long-term objectives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, improving internal controls, and streamlining procedures to avoid duplication and gaps.
• Demonstrated knowledge in financial planning, budget development, and financial audits, with specific experience in preparing Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs), monitoring government debt financing, and managing complex budgets. Ability to allocate resources effectively and ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and responding to audits, including managing audit responses, developing action plans, and maintaining audit trails. Familiarity with financial and compliance audits, as well as an ability to navigate the regulatory environment related to government contracts and grants.
• Proven experience in supervising, evaluating, and developing the work of both professional and technical personnel and ability to delegate responsibility effectively and support staff in meeting their goals, while promoting career development and ensuring alignment with the organization’s priorities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to a variety of stakeholders, including senior leaders, elected officials, technical staff, and the public; capable of preparing executive-level reports, presentations, and other documents that communicate progress and key metrics.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and provide actionable recommendations that support the agency’s goals. Strong decision-making skills in managing complex issues and driving continuous improvements.
• Thorough understanding of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including those affecting fiscal management, audits, and internal controls; ability to interpret and apply these regulations to ensure compliance across all programs.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration, gain cooperation, and build consensus on sensitive or complex issues.
• The candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background investigation and credit history verification; periodic re-checking of criminal background and credit history will be a condition of employment.

Salary : $173,971 - $269,672