Senior Director - Internal Controls

ICON Clinical Research Ltd; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellbeing programmes

Retirement and pension plans

Life assurance & disability coverage

Employee assistance programmes

Learning & development opportunities

Job summary

ICON Clinical Research Ltd in Dublin seeks a Senior Director to lead the design, deployment and ongoing enhancement of the internal control framework over financial reporting, ensuring alignment with SOX and COSO.

The role oversees the second-line testing model, control certifications and remediation, partnering closely with Finance, IT, and external auditors to embed effective controls across business processes.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of SOX, COSO, internal control over financial reporting and financial reporting risk.
• Experience leading large-scale controls programmes, remediation or control transformation initiatives.
• Experience engaging with senior executives, Audit Committees, Internal Audit and external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise internal controls and SOX compliance programme across governance and testing.
• Develop and maintain an internal controls framework aligned with SOX and COSO.
• Oversee design and transformation of the second-line SOX testing model.
• Coordinate control certifications and management's assessment of ICFR.
• Provide oversight of control design and operating effectiveness across key processes.
• Drive documentation standards for narratives, matrices, test plans and evidence.
• Establish reporting and escalation for deficiencies and remediation actions.
• Partner with control owners to strengthen controls and embed into processes.
• Drive IC integration in respect of M&A activity.
• Promote accountability, transparency and ownership for control responsibilities.

Skills

SOX compliance

COSO framework

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Job Description

Senior Director - Internal Controls - Dublin - Hybrid

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster. As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.

The Senior Director, Internal Controls provides enterprise leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the internal control framework over financial reporting. The role supports management in maintaining a robust, sustainable and well-governed control environment aligned with SOX and the COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework. The role 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. The Senior Director promotes clear accountability, timely escalation and disciplined remediation while helping embed effective controls into day-to-day business processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise internal controls and SOX compliance programme, including governance, risk assessment, scoping, planning, execution, monitoring and reporting.
• Develop and maintain a clear internal controls framework, methodology, policies, standards and guidance aligned with SOX and COSO requirements.
• 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 activities 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 for process narratives, risk and control matrices, walkthroughs, design assessments, test plans, evidence and conclusions.
• Establish clear reporting and escalation processes for deficiencies, remediation actions, risks and recurring themes.
• Partner with control owners to strengthen controls and integrate control execution into normal business processes.
• Drive internal control assessment and integration in respect of M&A activity.
• Promote a strong culture of accountability, transparency and ownership for internal control responsibilities.

SOX Programme Leadership

• Lead the SOX risk assessment, materiality and scoping process in coordination with Finance leadership, Internal Audit and external audit.
• Maintain the master inventory of in-scope processes, risks, controls, systems, reports and control owners.
• Oversee walkthroughs, testing of design and operating effectiveness, quality review and timely resolution of testing matters.
• Ensure appropriate treatment of information produced by the entity, information used in controls, segregation of duties and key report dependencies.
• Monitor programme milestones, resourcing, testing progress, open issues and readiness for quarterly and annual reporting.
• Coordinate with IT control stakeholders to ensure appropriate alignment between business process controls, IT general controls and automated controls.

Deficiency Evaluation & Remediation

• Lead the timely identification, evaluation, aggregation and communication of internal control deficiencies.
• Establish disciplined remediation governance, including clear ownership, milestones, evidence requirements, validation and closure criteria.
• Provide constructive challenge where remediation is delayed, insufficiently evidenced or does not address the underlying control risk.
• Support root cause analysis and the development of sustainable corrective actions that reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Prepare clear, decision-useful reporting for senior management and relevant governance forums.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Build effective relationships with Finance, Technology, Legal, Risk, Internal Audit, external audit and other assurance functions.
• Clarify responsibilities across the first, second and third lines and support effective coordination between assurance providers.
• Advise senior leaders and control owners on control design, risk mitigation and practical implementation matters.
• Support Audit Committee and executive-level reporting through concise analysis of programme status, deficiencies, remediation and emerging risks.
• Act as a credible and independent-minded adviser while remaining pragmatic and solutions focused.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach and develop the internal controls and SOX compliance team.
• Define team roles, responsibilities and performance expectations and ensure the programme has appropriate capability and capacity.
• Develop training and practical guidance for leaders, control owners, performers and reviewers.
• Promote standardisation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the control community.
• Use technology, workflow tools and data analytics to improve programme efficiency, visibility and insight.

Education & Experience

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 a preference.

Demonstrated experience leading large-scale controls programmes, remediation or control transformation initiatives.

Experience engaging with senior executives, Audit Committees, Internal Audit and external auditors.

Strong understanding of business process controls, IT-dependent controls, IT general controls and entity-level controls.

Proven ability to lead teams, influence across functions and deliver through periods of significant change.

Leadership Profile

• High integrity, sound judgement and a strong commitment to accountability.
• Calm, methodical and resilient under pressure.
• Clear and credible communicator who can translate complex control matters into practical actions.
• Constructive challenger with strong executive presence and the confidence to elevate when required.
• Analytical and detail-oriented while maintaining an enterprise-wide perspective.
• Collaborative leader focused on sustainable improvement, capability building and effective delivery.

Role impact

This role is central to establishing a sustainable internal control environment, supporting reliable financial reporting and strengthening management accountability across ICON.

Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits

• 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 wellbeing resources
• Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location. Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request here.