We are hiring a Lead, SOX Readiness & Controls to build and lead the implementation of a scalable, sustainable SOX compliance program for a newly acquired business. This is a senior individual contributor role with end-to-end ownership of SOX readiness activities, internal control design, documentation, remediation, and audit preparedness. The position provides leadership through influence, expertise, and program ownership rather than direct people management. In addition to establishing a strong SOX foundation, this role will help drive broader finance transformation initiatives by improving control effectiveness, enabling automation, and leveraging data and AI-driven insights to strengthen and modernize the control environment. Reporting to the Director of Financial Controls, the SOX Readiness & Controls Lead will partner closely with business leaders, Finance, Technology, a SOX readiness advisory firm, and external auditors to ensure controls are well-designed, operationally effective, audit-ready, and aligned with SOX 404 requirements. This is a hybrid role and will require time onsite as business needs dictate. YOUR DAY-TO-DAY: • Act as the primary liaison between control owners, management, external SOX readiness advisory firm, internal auditors and external auditors-helping align on expectations, and keep requests moving through planning, scoping, walkthroughs and testing. • Review, challenge, and refine advisory firm deliverables (e.g., flowcharts, risk & control matrices) to ensure they are accurate, right-sized, aligned to how the business actually operates, and fulfills audit requirements. • Own and maintain SOX documentation, including process flowcharts, risk & control matrices, and control attributes. • Lead and/or support walkthroughs for business process controls (e.g., Record-to-Report, Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, etc). • Support walkthroughs for IT General Controls (ITGCs),(e.g., Access to Programs, Change Management, and IT Operations) • Identify control gaps and deficiencies, perform root cause analysis, and partner with stakeholders to develop remediation plans-then track items through closure. • Provide practical guidance and training to control owners on executing controls, retaining evidence, and sustaining compliance. Prepare clear status reporting for leadership (progress, risks, audit readiness, open items, timeline impacts). • Identify opportunities to streamline or automate control activities, reduce manual effort, and improve consistency across processes. • Partner with Finance and Technology teams to support control design within system implementations or enhancements, including ERP/HCM platforms (e.g., Workday). • Leverage data and emerging tools (e.g., analytics or AI-assisted review techniques) to improve monitoring, issue identification, and audit readiness. YOU'LL BRING: • 7+ years of experience in SOX 404, internal control advisory, audit, risk management, or similar (combination of public accounting/consulting and industry experience strongly preferred). • Experience partnering with external advisors and/or auditors, including managing PBC requests, walkthrough schedules, testing support, and issue resolution. • Strong control documentation skills (ability to build clear flowcharts, draft controls, document deficiencies, and maintain version control). • Strong project management habits: organized tracking, proactive follow-ups, clear ownership, and deadline management. • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills-able to influence without authority and de-escalate audit friction. • Experience participating in finance transformation, ERP implementations, or process redesign initiatives, with a focus on embedding controls into evolving processes. • Familiarity with automation, data analytics, or AI-enabled tools in the context of SOX compliance, auditing, or risk management (practical application preferred over theory). • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience). • Preferred/plus: CPA, CIA, CISA, or similar certification SOX readiness experience for a newly public environment • Experience with GRC tools (e.g., Diligent or AuditBoard) • Hands-on experience with ERP/HCM platforms, particularly Workday, including understanding of key business processes, configurations impacting controls, and SOX implications (e.g., access, workflow, integrations) • AI-enabled tools are already part of how work gets done across our organization, and their use will continue to expand over time. We value people who are curious, adaptable, and open to learning as roles and workflows evolve. WE OFFER: • Full Health Benefits; Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance + Paid Parental Leave • Company Matched 401k • Paid Time Off + Paid Holidays + Paid Volunteer Time • Diversity Alliance Resource Groups • Employee Stock Purchase Program • Tuition Reimbursement • Charitable Gift Matching • Job Required Equipment & Services Will Be Provided