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Job Title


Sr. Director of Internal Controls & Audit


Company : Barnes & Noble


Location : New York City, NY


Created : 2026-04-02


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Title: Sr. Director of Internal Controls & Audit Category: Accounting & Finance EmploymentType: Full-Time Location: NY-New York (Union Square) LocationType: corporate JobLocation: New York, New York 10003 JobSummary: The Sr. Director, Internal Controls & Audit is primarily responsible for ensuring a strong internal control framework is in place across B&N. This encompasses financial, IT, operational controls and compliance, are designed and operating effectively. The execution of this responsibility requires that the internal control framework be designed to provide senior management with an evaluation and, where appropriate, recommendations on the reliability and integrity of both operational and financial information and compliance with policies. The role requires development of effective remediation plans with business units for identified deficiencies and process improvements. In this role, you will lead the Company's annual risk assessment and assist the CFO with periodic reporting to Senior Management and/or Board of Directors/Audit Committee and champion internal control and corporate governance concepts throughout the business. This role is based out of our Union Square, NYC office with regular travel to other B&N offices. An employee in this position can expect an annual starting salary of $200,000 - $250,000, depending on experience, seniority, geographic locations, and other factors permitted by law. WhatYouDo: - Implementation of an effective internal control framework and relevant governance responsibilities. - Support and guidance to the business on remediation plans where relevant. - Perform critical internal audit duties in the planning, scheduling, coordinating, evaluation, reviewing and reporting for IT, financial and/or operational audits. Ensure that Internal Audit's approach and procedures adequately assess risks and controls, incorporate best practices and comply with department and professional standards and Company policy. - Guide and assist Business Units in documenting their internal control environments (Narratives, RACMs, Flow Charts, etc.) ensuring they are comprehensive and meet the current standards for effectiveness by external auditors. - Lead implementation of Audit Board SOX Hub application and ensure internal control support functionality properly addresses Internal Audit needs for BN & Waterstones. - Manage advanced and specialized auditing work in multiple disciplines being performed by internal staff or under contract by outside public accounting firms. - Coordinate efforts and provide assistance to external auditors to ensure maximum reliance on work performed by Internal Audit. (ongoing) - Coordinate Internal Audit efforts with UK Internal Audit team. - Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate designated staff and contribute to the growth and development of the internal audit department. - On-going communication with Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer to discuss the status of the Audit plan, results of test work, and periodic reporting. - Work with Internal Audit team to leverage efficiencies in operational, financial and SOX compliance audits ensuring audit plans appropriately address risks and identify opportunities for improvements in internal controls. - Effectively communicate results of projects to appropriate stakeholders and works with stakeholders to ensure they have appropriately addressed audit issues. - Develop partnering relationships with stakeholders to establish goodwill, gain awareness of significant operational changes and initiatives and to promote more effective and efficient use of risk management techniques. - Perform annual risk assessment, scoping, planning, scheduling, and resource deployment for documentation updates and compliance testing. - Develop a flexible annual audit plan which includes any risks or control concerns identified by Senior Management and/or the Board of Directors/Audit Committee. - Coordinate annual report on Supplemental Audit Functions across the Company and ensure audit functions are appropriately designed and operating effectively. - Assist in other internal audit special projects as needed. - Regular travel to Barnes & Noble office locations Knowledge&Experience: - Bachelor of Science with an Accounting focus - Big Four public accounting experience required (i.e., audit/advisory experience with progressive leadership responsibility. - 10 years of experience, with a combination of public accounting and large company internal auditing. - Retail industry experience, including audits of multi-location retail operations, inventory management, POS systems, shrink, merchandising and supply chain strongly preferred. - Excellent written communication skills for developing reports to senior management. - Strong work ethic with the ability to consistently meet deadlines. - Strong technical audit knowledge and experience including a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, proficiency in related research tools and knowledge of the requirements of the Professional Practices Framework of the Institute of Internal Auditors. - Strong understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements, COSO framework and risk assessment practices including design, implementation, documentation and testing of internal control frameworks - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with all levels of management. - Energetic, passionate, self-motivated, and results-oriented professional. - Ability to think strategically, multi-task, and work effectively and efficiently with minimum direction in a team environment. - Understand internal control concepts and experience in applying them to plan, perform, manage and report on the evaluation of various business processes or functions. - Proven leadership experience managing internal audit teams and partnering cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, IT and the executive team. - Knowledge of Oracle and AuditBoard is optional. EeoStatement: Barnes & Noble is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, military or veteran status, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition as defined by applicable law, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, hairstyle, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, reproductive health decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.