Position Summary
The Internal Controls Lead is responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously enhancing Ceres Life's enterprise-wide internal control framework. As the organization continues to grow, this role will establish scalable financial and operational controls that protect company assets, strengthen governance, support regulatory compliance, and improve business processes across the organization.
Working closely with Finance, Operations, Technology, Compliance, Legal, and executive leadership, the Internal Controls Lead proactively evaluates business processes, identifies control gaps, develops remediation plans, and drives a culture of accountability and operational excellence. This role serves as the organization's subject matter expert on internal controls and provides independent oversight to ensure risks are appropriately identified and mitigated while enabling efficient business operations.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Internal Controls
- Develop, implement, and maintain the enterprise internal control framework aligned with company strategy, regulatory expectations, and industry best practices.
- Establish standardized control methodologies, documentation standards, and governance processes across all business functions.
- Create and maintain enterprise-wide risk and control matrices (RCMs), process narratives, and control documentation.
- Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of financial, operational, and technology controls and recommend enhancements.
Financial & Operational Controls
- Design preventive and detective controls supporting accounting, treasury, investments, operations, technology, and corporate functions.
- Partner with Finance leadership to strengthen financial reporting controls and accounting processes.
- Evaluate business processes to improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate control standards.
- Lead control redesign initiatives as new products, systems, and business capabilities are introduced.
Risk Assessment & Control Monitoring
- Perform enterprise control risk assessments across critical business functions.
- Develop monitoring programs to assess ongoing control effectiveness.
- Track control deficiencies and oversee timely remediation efforts.
- Report key control metrics, trends, and emerging risks to executive leadership.
Audit & Regulatory Support
- Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors on internal control matters.
- Coordinate audit responses, documentation requests, and remediation activities.
- Ensure the organization remains prepared for regulatory examinations and compliance reviews.
- Monitor evolving regulatory expectations affecting the insurance industry and recommend control enhancements accordingly.
Process Improvement
- Partner with business leaders to identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and process improvement.
- Evaluate new business initiatives, systems implementations, and operational changes to ensure appropriate controls are incorporated from inception.
- Promote continuous improvement through scalable control design and operational efficiencies.
Policy & Documentation
- Develop and maintain internal control policies, procedures, and governance documentation.
- Establish documentation standards supporting consistency across departments.
- Ensure policies remain current with organizational growth and regulatory expectations.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Build strong relationships across Finance, Operations, Compliance, Legal, Technology, and executive leadership.
- Provide guidance and education on internal control principles and accountability.
- Foster a culture of ownership, transparency, and continuous improvement.
- Lead future growth of the Internal Controls function as the organization expands.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field required.
- Master's degree or MBA preferred.
Experience
- 10+ years of progressive experience in internal controls, internal audit, accounting, enterprise risk, or financial governance.
- Experience within life insurance, annuities, financial services, banking, or other regulated financial institutions strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise internal control frameworks.
- Experience supporting external audits, regulatory examinations, and complex financial environments.
- Experience working in high-growth organizations is highly desirable.
Preferred Certifications
- CPA
- CIA
- CISA
- CRMA
- Other relevant governance, audit, or risk management certifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Deep knowledge of COSO Internal Control Framework and enterprise control best practices.
- Strong understanding of financial reporting, operational risk, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience with risk and control assessments, process documentation, and remediation planning.
- Ability to influence executive leadership and drive cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to balance strong governance with business agility.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience with governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tools is preferred.
