Internal Audit Manager

About Lead Bank

Lead is a banking infrastructure platform trusted by the most innovative companies to power complex financial products. We enable fintechs to offer compliant, programmable services like payments, lending, and digital assets at scale. Banking has moved beyond traditional institutions and is now embedded directly into everyday experiences, meaning companies need modern infrastructure that is safe, secure, and operationally sound.

Today, Lead is one of the only API-first, developer-focused partner banks with the financial, regulatory, and legal expertise required to help fintechs succeed. We operate offices in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and New York City, and an FDIC-insured bank in Kansas City.

Internal Audit Team at Lead

The Internal Audit team has one of the broadest perspectives at Lead. By evaluating processes, controls, and strategic initiatives throughout the business, they help ensure the company manages risk thoughtfully and scales responsibly. Through audits, assessments, and advisory work, they partner with teams to strengthen operations and improve outcomes across nearly every company function. More than just a compliance checkpoint, they are a trusted advisor, helping Lead build better by asking the right questions along the way.This team is ideal for analytical problem solvers who can uphold the level of discipline and accountability expected of a modern banking institution.

Role Description:

Lead Bank is seeking an Internal Audit Manager who can lead the execution and continued development of our risk-based audit program. As a member of Internal Audit, you will be a risk and control champion who works across the Bank to evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of controls, educate process and control owners, and promote sustainable remediation. Using your experience partnering with auditors, management team members, and process and control owners, you will roll up your sleeves to lead audits from risk assessment through reporting, challenge conclusions, coach audit staff, define and monitor remediation plans, and prepare clear updates for senior management and the Audit Committee. This role will report to the Head of Internal Audit.

In this role you will:

• Lead the development and annual refresh of Lead Internal Audit’s risk assessment and audit plan

• Conduct independent audits and assessments to validate Lead’s controls and compliance with laws & regulations while meeting the developed audit schedule for a mix of operational, compliance, and FDICIA audits.

• Own assigned insourced and co-sourced audits from scoping through report issuance, including planning, evidence quality, conclusions, findings, management responses, and follow-up

• Manage Internal Audit insourced and co-sourced staff, direct and balance workload, coach and review workpapers, and direct staff education and training

• Manage and develop Internal Audit staff, direct and balance workload, coach and review workpapers, and direct staff education and training. Oversee co-sourced resources to ensure work meets Internal Audit’s scope, methodology, quality, and reporting expectations.

• Appropriately challenge business owners in a constructive manner, distinguish factual disagreement from disagreement with risk conclusions, and secure clear management responses

• Ensure findings are accurate, clearly supported, and actionable; obtain management responses; validate remediation; and monitor and escalate overdue actions

• Prepare and present written reports for Lead’s Audit Committee

• Ensure that Internal Audit staff and audit resources use approved Google-native tools, Asana issue tracking, standardized templates, and AI responsibly while preserving confidentiality and professional judgment

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as accounting, business, or finance required

• 5+ years of experience in internal audit and banking/financial services or a related field; experience in a regulated bank or fintech environment preferred

• One or more of the following professional certifications required: CPA, CIA, or CISA.

• Demonstrated experience leading audits, supervising auditors, and partnering effectively with senior management, process owners, external auditors, and regulatory examiners

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate evidence, challenge unsupported conclusions, and ensure audit findings are accurate, clear, and actionable.

• Strong understanding of risk assessment, internal control evaluation, audit methodology, issue management, and regulatory expectations

• Strong judgment, analytical skills, and ability to challenge stakeholders respectfully and independently

• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to explain complex risks and control issues clearly to executives and directors

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive audits and projects simultaneously

• Self starter, engaged, proactive and ready to roll up your sleeves

What we offer:

At Lead, we design our benefits to support company culture and principles, to foster an efficient and inspiring work environment, and to create the conditions for our team to give their best in both work and life

• Competitive compensation based on experience, geographic location, and role

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k Matching, and other wellness benefits, including FSA, HSA and HRA

• Paid parental leave

• Flexible vacation policy, including PTO and paid holidays

• A fun and challenging team environment in a dynamic industry with ample opportunities for career growth

*Lead Bank is proud to have an inclusive culture committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity in all employment decisions regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

*Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

*Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

**Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on geographical market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Zone 1: $140,000 - $160,000 (SF/Bay Area, NYC, Seattle)

Zone 2: $120,000 - $138,000 (Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Denver, Boston, Washington DC, San Diego, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento)

Zone 3: $106,000 - $127,000 (Other US Metros)