US Director, SOx Compliance

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry.

To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

Reporting to the Head of Audit - Information Systems and Digital, the UK Senior Manager/US Director of SOx Compliance and Audit is responsible for the testing of the Company's SOx compliance efforts and managing the audit process for a portfolio of internal audits. This role will be responsible for both Business and IS SOx Compliance, working closely with Risk Compliance and Controls and External Audit, and supervise co-source efforts supporting SOx testing. This role will be supported a number of Managers, who are responsible for Business and IS SOx Compliance. This role will also manage the audit process for business reviews in the UK and US and work collaboratively with the Heads of Audit and peers to deliver the established mandate, governance and corporate responsibilities ensuring strategic alignment of the Corporate Audit function with Audit and Risk Committee expectations.

Critical areas of focus:

• Is responsible for both Business and IS SOx Compliance testing.
• Identifying and promoting efficiencies in SOx compliance (offshoring, control rationalization, testing approach).
• Coordination with Risk Compliance and Controls and External Audit.
• Communicate significant issues withing the Audit group and appropriate SOx stakeholders.
• Innovative mindset to support the modernization of the SOx program by driving change with key stakeholders.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance the SOx program, by adding value and driving efficiencies to reduce the overall cost of compliance.
• Managing the audit process for a portfolio of internal audits, with a focus on agility and innovation for value adding and timely delivery.
• Effectively supervising the daily work activities of Senior Auditors and Auditors.

• Business and IS SOx testing completion:
  • Oversee Managers, SOx Analysts, and co-source providers to validate internal controls over financial reporting are identified and tested appropriately for design and operating effectiveness.
  • Support evaluation and communication of business control deficiencies within the organization.
  • Validate resources are appropriately determined and staffed for each SOx audit.
• Coordination with Risk Compliance and Controls and External Audit:
  • Align overall testing strategy fits requirements of both groups to promote efficiencies.
  • Report on testing progress with a focus on key deficiencies identified.
  • Identification of improvement opportunities and coordination with key stakeholders (e.g., Risk & Compliance, control owners) to implement change.
• SOx operational excellence:
  • Evaluate how testing efforts can be optimized through use of offshore resources and co-source, innovative testing approaches, control rationalization, or better partnering to reduce SOx testing level of effort.
  • Provide suggestions and implement changes to optimize SOx testing efforts.

• Internal Audit execution:
• Manage and coordinate the execution of audits across the businesses, ensuring that audit testing plan is properly focused on delivering value to the business, and are consistently delivered to a high-quality standard and on schedule.
• Conduct second-level reviews of audit plans, workpapers, and reports, ensuring accurate and independent assurance and reporting to the highest professional and ethical standards in line with International Internal Auditing Standards.
• Support audit teams by clearly defining the objectives and scope of each review, employing critical thinking and appropriate testing methodologies, and sharing detailed findings and recommendations to mitigate risk.
• Supervise the daily work activities of Senior Auditors and Auditors, and mentor, coach, and teach as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Business Unit executives to identify and understand business changes and developments and professional leading practice.
• General responsibilities:
• Create an equitable and inclusive environment where people can bring their full selves to work and unlock their greatest potential and contributions to the team.
• Achieve annual goals, KPIs and budget targets by effectively managing resources and stakeholder requirements.
• Coordinate with other control functions to ensure activities are consistent, aligned and fully leveraged across the organization.
• Collaborate with the Global Head of Audit and Corporate Audit Leadership Team to build the overall strategy for the team and determine audit coverage and risk-based audit approach for SOx.
• Uphold Corporate Audit Leadership Qualities, Culture, and Behaviors.
• Represent and promote Corporate Audit in a positive light, create a 'buzz' about the audit products/services we provide and build & grow our value case with business relationships.
• Continually assesses needs, articulates, and mobilizes personal development opportunities and interventions.
• Harness the power of knowledge and technical expertise to be a well-rounded audit and risk professional and leverage emerging technologies to transform ways of working.
• Be a 'Strategist' and enhance learning and performance by recovering from mistakes and adjusting easily to change; and able to proactively cope with environmental changes to reach aims.

• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, COSO, PCAOB Auditing Standards, Sarbanes-Oxley, risk and controls standards and SOx compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of Business and IS technical elements supporting ICFR.
• Broad exposure and experience in and comprehensive understanding of internal audit, internal controls, and risk management.
• Ability to synthesize and communicate complex audit topics to both business stakeholders and Corporate Audit team members.
• Excellent listening, verbal, written and presentation communication skills - interactive listening, able to deliver complex messages, build strong working relationship across the business and influence others, including executive level stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and/or track record of leading multiple teams and audit projects simultaneously.
• Outstanding leadership skills, including experience in identifying and developing high-performing talent.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; ability to take large volumes of complex information and present it in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to use data and a cogent problem-solving methodology in decision making and impact assessment. Demonstrates problem solving skills in a complex environment, including demonstrating logical and sophisticated analytical thought processes, interpretive thinking, complex judgement.
• Uses a data-driven, digital, modern audit approach; continuously advocates for the use of technology and data.
• Solid capability working with a team in a fast-paced environment to meet strict deadlines while managing multiple priorities.
• Steps forward to address difficult issues and guides others toward the accomplishment of identified, meaningful goals.
• Initiates, supports and manages change within the organization, taking steps to remove barriers or to accelerate its pace.
• An undergraduate or graduate degree in a related field (e.g. Accounting, Finance, "STEM" Majors or Business Administration) is required. A CPA/CA, CFA, CIA, CISA or other professional certification is a plus.

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