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Sr. Director, Internal Audit

Custom Field 1:  2369
Date:  Jul 23, 2025
Location: 

Cambridge, MA, US, 02142

Senior Director, Internal Audit

 

Overview

 

As the Senior Director, Internal Audit, you will play a pivotal role in the continued growth of a dynamic internal audit function for a leading biopharmaceutical company.

 

The ideal candidate will have strong auditing and biotech / pharma industry experience. Integrated audit and risk-advisory experience across finance, compliance, and operations will be a big advantage. Also, experience in collaborating with, and directing external co-source partners to effectively support internal audits and SOX controls testing.

 

This role requires excellent communications and leadership skills, and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with key stakeholders at all levels. The candidate must be eager to lead risk management and internal control improvement across the organization through thoughtful risk assessments, and the execution of complex audits and reviews in a highly regulated industry. This role will also play a crucial role in the ongoing evolution of the internal audit function to keep pace with Alnylam’s growth and priorities, while conforming to the IIA standards.

 

This is a hybrid position that requires two days on site per week in our Cambridge, MA office. This role reports to the VP, Head of Internal Audit.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Exceptional leadership skills to direct others in applying a systematic and risk-focused approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes, internal controls, risk management and governance processes. This includes an overall assessment of risk across the organization to support a suitable internal audit plan.
  • Direct a team of professional auditors (internal and co-sourced) in performing financial, compliance, operational, and third party internal audits, both domestic and abroad, to assess the effectiveness of risk management and internal control and provide valuable and fitting recommendations for improvement.
  • Prepare insightfully written reports and work collaboratively with other expertise areas and business functions, such as Legal, Compliance, IT, and Finance, to align audit observations and agree robust and fitting management action plans to address the observations and strengthen internal controls.
  • Prepare and effectively present relevant and insightful communications to leadership teams and committees at Alnylam.
  • Direct the operation of key responsibilities of the internal audit function, including working closely with internal audit’s co-source partner, and recruiting exceptional talent as the internal audit team grows.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead with a positive culture, promoting collaboration and continuous improvement, and fostering innovation in internal audit practices. Experience in creating and maintaining a high-performance work environment.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders at all levels across the organization while promoting ethical awareness.
  • Strong knowledge of current internal audit trends, industry benchmarks, and best practices, with the ability to apply these insights to Alnylam’s internal audit operations. Active participation in professional organizations and industry groups will be valuable.
  • Maintain the highest standards of professionalism and independence in the execution of responsibilities.

 

Qualifications and Experience

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field required.
  • CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification or MBA is required.
  • 15+ years of relevant experience in audit, risk management and controls functions, preferably in the pharmaceutical / biotechnology industry or other highly regulated industry. Experience leading complex audits internationally.
  • Experience with leading teams in auditing and advising on governance, risk, and controls, demonstrating a strong understanding of audit principles and methodology.
  • Experience managing key operational and strategic priorities of internal audit functions.
  • Excellent analytical skills and the ability to identify and assess risks effectively. Proven ability to conduct complex risk assessments.
  • Team and talent builder with management experience recruiting, mentoring, developing, and coaching your staff.
  • Excellent verbal and written and communication skills with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly to a variety of audiences.
  • Strong influencer who is adept at partnering, influencing, and aligning stakeholders at all levels.
  • Willing to travel up to 15%, domestic and international.

About Alnylam: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ALNY) has led the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a whole new class of innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of people afflicted with rare and more prevalent diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach to treating diseases at their genetic source by “interfering” with mRNA that cause or contribute to disease. Since our founding in 2002, Alnylam has led the RNAi Revolution and continues to turn scientific possibility into reality.

Our culture: Our people-first culture is guided by our core values: fiercely innovative, open culture, purposeful urgency, passion for excellence, and commitment to people, and these values influence how we work and the business decisions we make. Thanks to feedback from our employees over the years, we’ve been fortunate to be named a top employer around the world. Alnylam is extremely proud to have been recognized as the #1 Large Employer by Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2023 for the third consecutive year, one of Science Magazine’s Top Biopharma Employers, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2024 by Newsweek, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UK – among others.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. We are dedicated to building an environment where employees can feel that they belong, can bring their authentic selves to work, and achieve to their full potential. By empowering employees to embrace their unique differences at work, our business grows stronger with advanced and original thinking, allowing us to bring groundbreaking medicines to patients. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics prohibited by law.


Nearest Major Market: Cambridge
Nearest Secondary Market: Boston

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