Sr. Manager Internal Controls & Compliance

Job Summary

The Senior Manager Internal Controls & Compliance is responsible for overseeing the implementation, monitoring and improvement of internal controls and compliance framework. They will ensure that the Company adheres to Sox requirements and internal policies.  As the subject matter expert, they will play a critical role, working across all businesses, partnering with Internal Audit and the external auditor in mitigating risks and ensuring that financial and operational controls are effective. This position is hybrid, targeting 3 days a week in the office, in King of Prussia, PA.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure Compliance with SOX Requirements: Oversee the organization’s SOX compliance program, including designing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls. Ensure alignment with the COSO framework and adapt the program to evolving regulatory requirements.
• Drive Process Optimization and Automation: Leverage technology tools like BlackLine and Altreyx to optimize and automate routine SOX processes that will reduce manual effort and increase accuracy in financial reporting. 
• Stakeholder Management and Reporting: Influence senior management and key stakeholders, ensuring alignment on SOX initiatives. Report compliance metrics and risk mitigation strategies to senior leadership, including the CAO, controllers, internal as well as external auditors.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders across departments (e.g., Accounting, Internal Audit, IT) to ensure seamless implementation of new controls and systems. Act as a key liaison for compliance-related projects impacting the overall control environment.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a team of compliance professionals, by fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and high performance within the SOX team. Additionally, provide guidance, coaching and career development opportunities for team members.
• Resource Allocation and Risk Management: Strategically allocate resources to ensure compliance deadlines are met, especially during audit planning, walkthroughs, and year-end. Proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks to protect the organization. Balancing workload among team members to ensure optimal productivity.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Problem-Solving: Ability to address and resolve issues that arise during SOX compliance activities, including working with other departments to find solutions.
• Leadership: Strong leadership skills to inspire, manage, and develop the SOX compliance team. Ability to foster positive team culture, promote diversity and inclusion, reliability, excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement within the compliance function.
• Visionary Thinking: Ability to see the big picture and drive the SOX compliance strategy in alignment with the company's broader business goals, such as supporting growth initiatives or improving operational efficiency.
• Training: Develop and implement training programs for SOX compliance across the organization.
• Communication: Exceptional communication skills to influence and engage with senior management, the board, and external auditors.
• Change Management: Proficiency in guiding the organization through changes in SOX requirements and processes. Ability to proactively lead the department through evolving SOX regulations, ensuring awareness, timely implementation, and rollout of new processes to maintain compliance.
• Planning and Organization: Strategic planning skills to forecast SOX-related needs and allocate resources effectively. Advanced organizational abilities to oversee multiple, complex SOX projects and ensure timely completion.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to develop and articulate a long-term vision for the SOX compliance function, ensuring alignment with the organization's overall strategy.
• Influence and Stakeholder Management: Expertise in influencing senior leaders and key stakeholders, navigate complex organizational dynamics and drive consensus to support SOX initiatives and implement necessary changes.
• COSO Framework Mastery: Deep expertise in the COSO Framework and its practical application in creating a robust internal control environment.
• Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical skills to interpret complex financial data, identify trends, and assess the impact of control deficiencies.
• Collaboration: Ability to foster relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead cross-functional teams. The role demands strategic use of collaboration to achieve organizational goals.
• Policy and Procedure Development: Ability to translate high-level SOX requirements into comprehensive policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives.
• Mitigation Strategy Development: Proficiency in crafting and overseeing the execution of complex mitigation strategies for significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
• Performance Management: Competence in managing the performance of the SOX team, setting clear goals, and driving continuous improvement.
• Awareness and Understanding of BlackLine/Altreyx: Knowledge of BlackLine and its capabilities for automating and managing account reconciliations, journal entries, and task management in the context of SOX compliance. Knowledge of Altreyx and its capabilities to streamline and automate highly manual activities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance/Accounting                        
• CPA required
• MBA Preferred    
• 10+ years of experience in public accounting, utility/energy services, or management consulting