Senior Director - Internal Controls

About the role

ICON, a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation, is hiring a Senior Director of Internal Controls in Dublin on a hybrid basis. The role provides enterprise leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the internal control framework over financial reporting, supporting management in maintaining a robust, well-governed control environment aligned with SOX and the COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework. It leads the second-line internal controls and SOX compliance programme, working closely with Finance leadership, process and control owners, Internal Audit, external audit and other assurance providers.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise internal controls and SOX compliance programme, including governance, risk assessment, scoping, planning, execution, monitoring and reporting.
• Develop and maintain the internal controls framework, methodology, policies, standards and guidance aligned with SOX and COSO.
• Oversee the design and transformation of the second-line SOX testing model, including roles, responsibilities, governance and quality expectations.
• Coordinate annual and quarterly control certification and support management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting.
• Provide oversight and challenge of control design, implementation and operating effectiveness across key financial and technology processes.
• Drive consistent documentation standards and establish reporting and escalation processes for deficiencies, remediation and risks.
• Partner with control owners, work with internal and external audit, and promote technology-driven approaches to the controls mandate.
• Lead SOX risk assessment, materiality and scoping, maintain the master inventory of in-scope processes, risks, controls and systems, and oversee walkthroughs and testing.
• Lead the identification, evaluation and communication of deficiencies, set disciplined remediation governance, support root cause analysis and prepare reporting for senior management and governance forums.
• Build relationships with Finance, Technology, Legal, Risk, Internal Audit and external audit, clarify responsibilities across the three lines of defence, advise senior leaders and support the Audit Committee.
• Lead, coach and develop the internal controls and SOX team, define roles and expectations, develop training and guidance, and use technology, workflow tools and data analytics to improve efficiency.

Required profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA or equivalent) or other relevant professional qualification.
• Significant senior-level experience in internal controls, SOX compliance, financial reporting, audit or risk within a complex multinational and publicly listed organisation.
• Deep knowledge of SOX, COSO, internal control over financial reporting and financial reporting risk; US GAAP experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale controls programmes, remediation or control transformation initiatives.
• Experience engaging with senior executives, Audit Committees, Internal Audit and external auditors.
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence across functions and deliver through periods of significant change.
• High integrity, calm and methodical under pressure, clear communicator and collaborative leader.

Required skills

• SOX and COSO frameworks
• Internal control over financial reporting
• US GAAP (preferred)
• Business process controls, IT general controls and entity-level controls

What we offer

• Competitive base salary and performance-related incentives.
• Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental and vision coverage where applicable.
• Retirement and pension plans, life assurance and disability coverage.
• Employee assistance programmes and learning and development opportunities.