Director, SOX Compliance

What you'll do

• Own and lead the company's end-to-end SOX 404 compliance program, including business process, entity-level, and IT general controls (ITGCs).
• Develop and maintain the annual SOX strategy, risk assessment, scoping, testing plan, and compliance calendar.
• Partner with control owners to document, assess, and improve key business processes and internal controls.
• Coordinate management's annual SOX assessment and support external audit requirements to ensure timely completion.
• Evaluate control deficiencies, facilitate root cause analysis, and drive remediation efforts through successful closure.
• Monitor regulatory developments and evolving best practices to continuously enhance the SOX program.
• Collaborate with Finance Transformation, ERP, and business system implementation teams to ensure appropriate controls are designed into new processes and technologies.
• Drive automation and continuous monitoring opportunities to improve efficiency and control effectiveness.
• Develop executive-level reporting and present SOX program status, risks, and remediation progress to senior leadership and Audit Committee stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders on internal controls, governance, and risk management.
• Establish and maintain SOX policies, methodologies, documentation standards, and training programs.
• Support broader internal control, governance, and enterprise risk initiatives as needed.
• Help define the future organizational structure of the SOX function, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing team members as the program expands.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in SOX compliance, internal audit, external audit, accounting, or internal controls.
• Experience leading SOX programs for publicly traded companies or organizations preparing for public company readiness.
• Strong knowledge of SOX 404 requirements, COSO Internal Control Framework, and SEC reporting environment.
• Experience with business process controls, entity-level controls, and IT general controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience managing external auditors and coordinating complex compliance activities across multiple functions.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership.
• Proven ability to identify process improvement opportunities while maintaining a strong control environment.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, hardware, or other complex operational environments.
• Experience supporting ERP implementations or major systems transformations (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, etc.).
• Experience with GRC platforms such as AuditBoard, Workiva, Archer, ServiceNow GRC, or similar technologies.
• Experience leading SOX readiness for IPOs or scaling public-company compliance programs.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity controls, automated controls, and emerging technologies supporting compliance.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvement experience.
• Demonstrated success building or scaling compliance organizations.
• Passion for mentoring and developing talent, with an interest in growing into a formal people leadership role as the organization expands.