SOX Manager

Job Description

The SOX Manager role manages Northwest's compliance related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. This role will develop, implement, and monitor compliance activities between various departments and provide administrative and internal controls related training. The SOX Manager will research regulations, interpret associated requirements, document controls, coordinate testing, review results, and prepare reports.

Essential Functions
• Supervise and ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act regulations and ensures appropriate internal controls are in place
• Manage the daily operations of the SOX program, including planning, scheduling, execution, tracking, and reporting
• Ensures complete and accurate documentation in accordance with the Internal Control Framework
• Responsible for coordination of SOX control testing
• Responsible for developing remediation plans with management for Sarbanes-Oxley internal control deficiencies
• Responsible for communication of Sarbanes-Oxley internal control deficiencies with management
• Responsible for training management surrounding their responsibilities for internal control compliance
• Responsible for performing Sarbanes-Oxley risk assessments and planning as well as quarterly control certifications
• Research and implement Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance best practices
• Work with cross-functional teams, assess and document new SOX impacting projects, processes, and systems
• Maintain and monitor internal control databases and process narrative documents
• Distribute processed narrative to departments on an annual basis to ensure that all processes are update in order to maintain integrity of Northwest Bank's internal control structure
• Collaborate with Risk, Internal Audit and IT to select and implement a comprehensive control process optimization system to increase efficiency and compliance rates
• Provide detailed analysis and reports to the Disclosure Committee on a quarterly basis
• Monitor regulatory environment to ensure our adherence to all changes in the internal control framework
• Coordinate departmental involvement in the ongoing internal control test work
• Direct the integration of internal control test work into all internal audits performed by internal audit to minimize the amount of disruption to each department
• Act as liaison for computer related requirements (hardware / software)
• Recommend / develop administrative procedures
• Recommend / develop technical procedures

Additional Essential Functions
• Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

Additional Responsibilities
• Complete special projects and other duties as requested

Safety and Health for Supervisors with Direct Reports
• Provide leadership and positive direction for maintaining the safety and loss prevention program
• Actively participate in and support employee participation in the safety and loss prevention program by ensuring that employees know how to properly report a safety issue, making sure that all accidents are promptly reported to Human Resources and documented, and ensuring that prompt action is taken whenever workplace hazards are identified
• Help implement emergency procedures

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education
Bachelor's Degree business or related degree

Work Experience
6 - 8 years Public accounting experience
5 - 6 years Working and leading SOX control initiatives
5 - 6 years Financial Services Experience

General Supervisory/Manager Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to identify existing and potential problems, obtain and evaluate relevant information, identify possible causes of the problems, and suggest an alternative course of action including innovative or creative approaches
• Ability to allocate and effectively use information, personnel, time, and other resources necessary for implementation of Northwest's strategic plans
• Ability to make decisions, render judgments, and take action on tasks within the scope of given authority in a timely fashion
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and implement alternative courses of action, based on correct assumptions concerning resources and guidelines, and support decisions or recommendations with data or reasoning
• Ability to present and express ideas and information effectively and concisely in an oral and/or written mode in a manner appropriate for the audience
• Ability to listen and comprehend what others are saying and facilitate the open exchange of ideas and information
• Ability to motivate and provide direction in the activities of others, appropriately assigning work and authority, in the accomplishment of goals; providing advice and assistance as required
• Ability to understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies; maintain credibility with others on specialty matters

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
Ability to interpret regulations and requirements

Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.