The client seeks a strategic, forward-thinking Chief Audit Officer (CAO) to lead an independent internal audit function during a period of institutional growth and advancement. The CAO will strengthen accountability, enhance risk awareness, and support effective decision-making by serving as a key partner to senior leadership. This role provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services designed to add value and improve operations by evaluating and enhancing the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Operating with organizational and functional independence consistent with professional internal audit standards, the CAO will ensure full, free, and unrestricted access to relevant records, personnel, assets, and information systems. The CAO will establish and sustain the overall direction, authority, and credibility of the internal audit function, including oversight of the internal audit charter and ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures, and methodologies support consistent, high-quality audit work. The CAO will lead and maintain a risk-based internal audit program informed by enterprise-wide risk assessments, emerging risk trends, regulatory requirements, and input from senior leadership and the board-level risk management, audit, and compliance committee. The CAO will direct and oversee risk-based audits across financial, operational, compliance, information technology, cybersecurity, research, and administrative functions, ensuring work is completed efficiently, objectively, and in alignment with professional standards and applicable requirements. The role also includes coordinating internal audit activities with external and system-level audit and oversight entities and serving as the primary liaison for external engagements and oversight reviews. In addition, the CAO will direct and, as appropriate, conduct independent investigations and special reviews related to fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, or significant control failures while maintaining independence, confidentiality, and objectivity.