Director, SOX Compliance & Internal Controls

Shield; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Benefits

Equity

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech company based in San Diego, seeks a Director of SOX Compliance to design and lead a mature SOX program in a high-growth, public-company setting. You will partner with Finance, IT, Legal, HR, and operations to ensure robust internal controls while enabling growth.

Initially an individual contributor role with potential to build a SOX team; reporting to Corporate Controller. Strong background in SOX 404, COSO, and SEC reporting is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent professional certification.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in SOX compliance, internal audit, external audit, accounting, or internal controls.
• Experience leading SOX programs for publicly traded companies or organizations preparing for public company readiness.
• Strong knowledge of SOX 404 requirements, COSO Internal Control Framework, and SEC reporting environment.
• Experience with business process controls, entity-level controls, and IT general controls.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience managing external auditors and coordinating complex compliance activities across multiple functions.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to executive leadership.
• Proven ability to identify process improvement opportunities while maintaining a strong control environment.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the company's end-to-end SOX 404 compliance program, including business process, entity-level, and IT general controls (ITGCs).
• Develop and maintain the annual SOX strategy, risk assessment, scoping, testing plan, and compliance calendar.
• Partner with control owners to document, assess, and improve key business processes and internal controls.
• Coordinate management's annual SOX assessment and support external audit requirements to ensure timely completion.
• Evaluate control deficiencies, facilitate root cause analysis, and drive remediation efforts through successful closure.
• Monitor regulatory developments and evolving best practices to continuously enhance the SOX program.
• Collaborate with Finance Transformation, ERP, and business system implementation teams to ensure appropriate controls are designed into new processes and technologies.
• Drive automation and continuous monitoring opportunities to improve efficiency and control effectiveness.
• Develop executive-level reporting and present SOX program status, risks, and remediation progress to senior leadership and Audit Committee stakeholders.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders on internal controls, governance, and risk management.
• Establish and maintain SOX policies, methodologies, documentation standards, and training programs.
• Support broader internal control, governance, and enterprise risk initiatives as needed.
• Help define the future organizational structure of the SOX function, including recruiting, mentoring, and developing team members as the program expands.

Skills

SOX compliance

Internal audit

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Audits coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA

CIA

Tools

AuditBoard

Workiva

Archer

ServiceNow GRC

Job description

Shield AI, a defense-tech company based in San Diego, seeks a Director of SOX Compliance to design and lead a mature SOX program in a high-growth, public-company setting. You will partner with Finance, IT, Legal, HR, and operations to ensure robust internal controls while enabling growth.

Initially an individual contributor role with potential to build a SOX team; reporting to Corporate Controller. Strong background in SOX 404, COSO, and SEC reporting is essential.