Director, SOX Lifecycle & Enablement

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director, SOX Lifecycle & Enablement owns the end-to-end SOX program lifecycle for the enterprise and serves as the senior deputy within the IC SOX Center of Excellence. The role directs the annual risk assessment and scoping process, the risk and control matrix, the Section 302/404 certification process, and enterprise deficiency management, and coordinates the network of Business Unit SOX Leads across the organization. The Director also directly manages the U.S. business unit advisory portfolio (Commercial, Operations, and the Accounting Center of Excellence), the program’s highest-complexity areas, operating as a player-coach.

The role is central to a multi-year modernization of the SOX program, including the transition of management testing to an internal Testing & Analytics Hub, expanded automation and continuous monitoring, and an AI-enabled controls platform. During this transition, the Director is expected to be hands-on: directly managing stakeholder relationships, deficiency evaluations, and external auditor positions while building the operating rhythm of a maturing program. The change management and enablement mandate (training, communications, and adoption across control owners and BU SOX Leads) is an explicit part of the role.

Key Responsibilities

SOX Lifecycle Ownership

• Direct the annual SOX risk assessment and scoping process, including materiality-driven scoping decisions and coordination with the external auditor on scope alignment.
• Own the enterprise risk and control matrix: rationalization, updates for business and system change (acquisitions, ERP and data programs), and documentation quality standards.
• Operate the Section 302/404 certification process, including quarterly sub-certifications and support for management’s quarterly and annual ICFR conclusions.
• Own deficiency management as an enterprise process: intake, evaluation and severity assessment, aggregation analysis, remediation monitoring, and reporting for executive management and Audit Committee materials.
• Manage external auditor (EY) coordination on scoping, reliance, and deficiency positions; prepare and defend management’s technical positions.

Business Unit Advisory

• Directly manage the U.S. advisory portfolio (Commercial, Operations, Accounting Center of Excellence): control design consultation, readiness for business and system change, and first-line support to senior finance stakeholders.
• Serve as the escalation point for significant deficiency assessments, contentious auditor matters, and issues bearing on quarterly certification conclusions across all business units.
• Supervise and develop the Senior Manager responsible for the OUS and FSS advisory portfolio.

BU SOX Leads Network

• Coordinate the enterprise network of Business Unit SOX Leads (approximately 12 business units): operating cadence, quarterly forums, standardized deficiency and change intake, and consistency of practice across units.

Change Management & Enablement

• Lead training, communications, and adoption for program changes, including the Workiva-resident lifecycle, evidence standards, and continuous monitoring outputs as they deploy.
• Oversee Workiva program administration (assessments, certifications, reporting) through the Senior Analyst, and partner with the AI & Analytics Enablement leader on platform direction.

Leadership

• Manage and develop two direct reports; contribute to talent development across the Center of Excellence.
• Partner with the Testing & Analytics Hub, AI & Analytics Enablement, and IT SOX leaders to operate an integrated program.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in audit and internal controls, with significant SOX program leadership at a large public company or serving large public company clients.
• CPA or CIA (or equivalent certification).
• Deep working knowledge of PCAOB AS 2201, the COSO 2013 framework, SEC Sections 302/404, and deficiency evaluation and aggregation practice.
• Demonstrated experience managing external auditor relationships and defending technical positions.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills with senior finance leadership.

Preferred

• Big 4 experience at the Senior Manager, or Director level in audit, risk assurance, or controls advisory.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, or other large multinational environments, including acquisition integration and ERP or data transformation programs.
• Experience with Workiva (or comparable GRC platforms) and with programs transitioning from outsourced to internal testing models, automation, or continuous monitoring.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

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