Sr. Lead IT Auditor

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and our proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future for generations to come.  LYB develops high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. LYB places high priority on diversity, equity and inclusion and is Advancing Good with an emphasis on our planet, the communities where we operate and our future workforce. We're addressing the global challenges of ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society, while generating value for our customers, investors, and society.

Come Join an Inclusive Team

The Senior Lead IT Auditor is an expert-level professional in the Internal Audit team, responsible for evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of IT internal controls and processes across the organization. This role leads the most complex and high-risk IT audit engagements from start to finish with minimal to no supervision, ensuring that all audit activities meet the highest quality standards (in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards along with the Information Systems Audit and Assurance Standards). 

The Senior Lead IT Auditor supports audit planning and risk assessment, identifying emerging IT risks, and recommending areas of focus for the annual audit plan. This individual also spearheads continuous improvement initiatives within the audit function to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of audit processes and tools. Successful candidates are highly self-sufficient and initiative-taking, capable of making independent decisions in the field, and serving as a subject matter expert in areas such as cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data analytics. The Senior Lead IT Auditor is a mentor and role model to less experienced auditors, guiding them in audit methodology and professional best practices.

While based in Houston, this role involves participating in audit assignments across our global company. Travel to domestic and international locations up to 20% per year. International trips typically last up to three weeks. This position may also require overtime at times.

A Day in the Life

• Lead Complex Audits: Plan, lead, and execute multiple high-risk IT audit engagements (e.g., cybersecurity assessments, infrastructure and cloud audits, ERP/application control reviews) from scoping to reporting. Ensure audit objectives are achieved, findings are properly documented, and recommendations are developed, all with no supervisory oversight needed.
• Audit Planning & Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough risk-based planning for each audit: define scope and objectives, identify key risks and controls, and design appropriate audit testing strategies. Contribute significantly to the annual IT audit risk assessment and audit plan development by pinpointing emerging risk areas and suggesting new audit topics.
• Team Coordination: Coordinate and optimize audit team resources (including staff auditors, co-sourced personnel, or guest auditors) to ensure efficient and timely completion of audit projects. Provide clear guidance and direction to team members and adjust work assignments to maximize team productivity and strengths.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary liaison with IT and business stakeholders during audits. Effectively communicate audit plans, progress, and issues to auditees and management, ensuring a full understanding of data flows, security policies, procedures, and system controls. Maintain a professional relationship with auditees, addressing concerns and facilitating a cooperative audit environment while maintaining auditor independence.
• Workpaper Review & Reporting: Review audit workpapers prepared by the team to ensure they are thorough and comply with Internal Audit standards. Compile and deliver clear, concise audit reports and presentations that effectively communicate findings, implications, and recommendations to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives for continuous improvement of the IT audit process. Identify opportunities to enhance audit methodologies, checklists, and use of technology (such as data analytics or automation) to increase efficiency and coverage. Champion the adoption of industry best practices and emerging audit techniques within the team.
• Best Practices & Innovation: Stay abreast of the latest developments in IT, cybersecurity, and auditing. Identify and promote best practices from both internal and external sources. Generate recommendations to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve effectiveness of controls and processes. Drive innov