NORTH TEXAS TOLLWAY AUTHORITY
The Company
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is a mission-driven, self-funded public transportation agency headquartered in Dallas, Texas, responsible for the development, operation, and long-term stewardship of critical toll road infrastructure serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Established in 1997, NTTA plays a central role in supporting one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States by delivering safe, reliable, and innovative mobility solutions across four counties, Collin, Denton, Dallas and Tarrant.
NTTA plans, builds, operates, and maintains a strategically vital network of toll facilities, including the Dallas North Tollway, President George Bush Turnpike, Sam Rayburn Tollway, Chisholm Trail Parkway, and the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel. These assets connect major employment centers, residential communities, airports, and commercial corridors, enabling regional economic growth and enhancing daily mobility for millions of users.
As a self-sustaining public authority, NTTA operates without reliance on state gas taxes or local property taxes. The organization funds its operations and capital program through toll revenues and bond financing, maintaining strong credit ratings and disciplined financial governance. This model requires sophisticated leadership in long-range planning, asset management, public finance, and risk oversight.
NTTA is recognized nationally for its leadership in electronic toll collection, cashless operations, and transportation technology. Its Toll Tag system and interoperability agreements support seamless travel across Texas and other regions, while continued investments in intelligent transportation systems, data analytics, and digital customer platforms enhance efficiency, safety, and customer experience.
The Authority operates within a complex stakeholder environment that includes elected officials, regional planning agencies, bondholders, regulatory bodies, community partners, and the traveling public. Its board of directors is composed of nine members, two representing each of the four member counties and one appointed by the Governor of Texas. Successful leadership at NTTA requires the ability to balance public accountability with enterprise-level performance, foster collaboration across jurisdictions, and lead a diverse, highly skilled workforce across engineering, operations, technology, finance, and administration.
For executive leaders, NTTA offers the opportunity to shape the future of mobility in North Texas—guiding a large-scale infrastructure organization through growth, innovation, and evolving transportation demands while upholding public trust and delivering long-term value to the region.
Overview
The Director of Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk serves as the chief audit executive for the North Texas Tollway Authority, providing independent and objective assurance and advisory services to the Board of Directors and executive management. This role is responsible for evaluating and strengthening governance, risk management, and internal controls across NTTA’s financial, operational, compliance, technology, and capital program activities. The Director plays a critical role in supporting NTTA’s commitment to transparency, fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
Reporting Relationship
This position interacts with all levels of management and reports to the Board of Directors directly and through the Finance and Audit committee and operationally to the Executive Director. A team of seven audit and risk management professionals report to this position.
Responsibilities
Internal Audit Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, risk-based internal audit plan that reflects NTTA’s strategic objectives, including toll operations, capital improvement programs, technology systems, and debt-financed activities.
- Maintain the Internal Audit Charter in alignment with Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Standards and best practices.
- Provide value-added advisory services to management while maintaining independence and objectivity.
Risk Management & Internal Controls
- Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, toll revenue, procurement, capital projects, cybersecurity, and operational processes.
- Identify, evaluate, and monitor key enterprise risks, including financial, operational, regulatory, safety, and reputational risks.
- Track and report on management’s remediation of audit findings and control enhancements.
Governance, Compliance & Public Accountability
- Evaluate compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, bond covenants, trust indentures, grant requirements, and NTTA policies.
- Support strong governance practices and ethical standards across the Authority.
- Monitor emerging risks and regulatory developments impacting transportation authorities and public entities.
Audit Committee, Board & Executive Engagement
- Serve as the primary advisor to the Audit Committee on audit results, risk trends, and internal control matters providing independent, objective assurance and insight on risks, trends, emerging issues, and the effectiveness of governance, risk management and control processes.
- Prepare and present clear, concise audit reports and risk assessments to the Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and executive leadership.
- Serves as the Board’s eyes and ears across the processes audited, while also offering advisory perspectives consistent with IIA Standards.
- Coordinate effectively with external auditors, regulatory agencies, and other oversight bodies.
- People, Resources & Continuous Improvement
- Lead, mentor, and develop the internal audit team; manage co-sourced or outsourced audit resources as appropriate.
- Oversee the internal audit budget and ensure efficient deployment of audit resources.
- Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational integrity throughout NTTA.
Travel
- Occasional travel within the NTTA service area may be required.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
- A master's degree in a related field is preferred.
- CIA, CPA, or CISA certification required.
Professional Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in internal audit, external audit, or risk management with five (5) years supervisory experience.
- Prior leadership experience within a governmental, quasi-governmental, transportation authority, or similarly regulated environment is highly desirable.
- Experience auditing complex organizations with revenue operations, capital programs, and debt financing.
- Demonstrated experience working directly with Boards or Audit Committees.
- Extensive knowledge of the principles, procedures and techniques of accounting and auditing, including methods used to examine, verify, and analyze financial and operational records, statements and reports.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; ability to take large volumes of complex information and present it in a clear and concise manner.
- Strong strategic management, planning, change management, and analytical skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills to develop relationships, facilitate negotiations and build partnerships with key stakeholders; ability to foster trust and maintain confidential information.
- Strong innovation skills to implement new solutions and processes by leveraging available technology and data.
- Skilled in leading, developing and motivating a diverse professional staff.
- Communicates clearly and effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization—as well as external parties—both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to develop appropriate audit policies, procedures, information systems and internal quality control systems.
- Ability to professionally represent the Audit Services Department and Board to external parties.
How To Apply
To learn more about this opportunity or provide a confidential referral, please contact:
Lisa Thompson
Vice President
214-292-4134 (Direct)
lthompson@pearsonpartnersintl.com
Renee Baker Arrington
President & COO
214-292-4142 (Direct)
rarrington@pearsonpartnersintl.com
Keith Pearson
Chairman & CEO
214-292-4141 (Direct)
kpear@pearsonpartnersintl.com
Scott Robson
Search Consultant
214-292-4171 (Direct)
srobson@pearsonpartnersintl.com
Pearson Partners International, Inc.
12377 Merit Drive, Suite 750
Dallas, Texas 75251
214-292-4140 – Fax
www.pearsonpartnersintl.com
