HR Controls & Compliance Senior Lead (Remote in Brazil)

Kyndryl; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kyndryl is seeking an HR Controls & Compliance Senior Lead to fortify our global HR control environment. You will partner with HR leaders, process owners and auditors to design, implement and monitor risk-based controls across HR processes, with a strong payroll focus.

You will translate complex requirements into practical solutions, use data analytics and automation to improve control effectiveness, and lead SOX and other audits.

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressive experience in internal controls, audit, risk, or compliance with SOX and HR global processes with payroll focus.
• Strong knowledge of HR processes, risk assessment, control design and testing, and COSO framework.
• Independent work style in a global, matrixed, remote environment with stakeholder influence.
• Proficiency with MS 365 and ERP/GRC, audit management, and data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve the global HR controls framework, governance model, control standards, and reporting across HR processes with payroll focus.
• Embed data protection, data minimization, access controls, and third-party risk into HR processes and vendor governance.
• Advise HR stakeholders on control design and process improvements using risk insights and data analytics.
• Lead HR support for internal and external audits (SOX, ISO, PwC) with evidence coordination and remediation.
• Identify, assess, and monitor HR risks and translate into proportionate controls.
• Design and deliver targeted controls education for HR on access, privacy, SOX, and governance.
• Drive remediation governance for SOX and non-SOX deficiencies and sustain closure.
• Develop risk reporting and dashboards for leadership to monitor control performance.

Skills

HR controls

SOX compliance

COSO framework

Risk assessment

Data analytics

Stakeholder influence

Independent worker

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/HR

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft 365

ERP systems

GRC tools

Job description

Who We Are

At Kyndryl, we run and reimagine the mission-critical technology systems that drive advantage for the world's leading businesses. We are at the heart of progress; with proven expertise and a continuous flow of AI-powered insight, enabling smarter decisions, faster innovation, and a lasting competitive edge. For our people-Kyndryls that means doing purposeful work that powers human progress. Join us and experience a flexible, supportive environment where your well-being is prioritized and your potential can thrive.

The Role

The HR Controls & Compliance Senior Lead is a senior individual contributor responsible for strengthening Kyndryl's global HR control environment and promoting consistent, risk-based compliance across critical HR processes. The role partners with global and country HR leaders, process owners, Finance, Internal Audit, Legal, Privacy, Cybersecurity, and third-party providers to maintain the HR controls framework, anticipate emerging risks, support audits, and drive sustainable remediation. The successful candidate will combine strong technical controls expertise with the ability to influence stakeholders, translate complex requirements into practical solutions, and use data and automation to improve control effectiveness, operational resilience, and business outcomes.

Essential Skills, Duties & Responsibilities:

• Own and continuously improve the global HR controls framework, governance model, control standards, and reporting mechanisms to support effective and consistent risk management across HR processes with special focus on Payroll.


• Partner with Privacy, Legal, Procurement, and HR process owners to embed data protection requirements, data minimization, appropriate access, and third-party risk controls into HR processes and vendor governance.


• Advise HR stakeholders on control design and process improvement, using risk insights, data analytics, and technology to simplify activities, reduce manual effort, and increase control effectiveness.


• Lead HR support for internal and external audits and assurance reviews, including SOX, ISO, and PwC or other independent financial audits, by coordinating evidence, validating control design and execution, resolving issues, and maintaining audit-ready documentation, with particular focus on global HR processes and other financially significant HR processes with special focus on Payroll.


• Identify, assess, and monitor current and emerging HR risks, including fraud, financial reporting, privacy, cybersecurity, access, third-party, and operational resilience risks, and translate those risks into proportionate preventive and detective controls.


• Design and deliver targeted controls and compliance education for HR stakeholders on access management, cybersecurity, data privacy, SOX requirements, evidence standards, and control ownership to improve awareness and execution.


• Own the governance and monitoring of remediation for SOX and non-SOX control deficiencies, challenging root‑cause analyses, validating corrective actions, escalating overdue items, and supporting process owners through sustainable closure.


• Partner with process owners to develop practical risk‑reduction recommendations, define clear owners and target dates, and monitor action plans through validated completion.


• Develop risk and control reporting, dashboards, and analytics that provide leadership with timely insight into control performance, exceptions, trends, and emerging risks across financial and non‑financial HR processes.


• Establish and maintain the HR business continuity and operational resilience framework for critical HR services, including business impact assessments, continuity plans, dependency mapping, testing, issue remediation, and coordination with internal teams and key third‑party providers.


• Coordinate global HR process compliance activities across regions and countries, promoting consistent control standards while accommodating applicable legal, regulatory, operational, and data privacy requirements.

Who You Are

Required Skills, Experience and Circumstances:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Finance, HR, or a related field.


• At least eight years of progressive experience in internal controls, audit, risk, or compliance within a complex multinational organization, including substantial experience with SOX programs and HR Global processes with a focus on Payroll processes.


• Strong knowledge of HR Global processes, risk assessment, control design, testing, deficiency evaluation, and the COSO Internal Control Framework, with practical expertise in SOX compliance and internal control over financial reporting.


• Demonstrated ability to operate independently in a global, matrixed, and remote environment while influencing stakeholders and building effective partnerships across functions, regions, and time zones.


• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and experience using enterprise resource planning, governance, risk and compliance, workflow, audit management, and data visualization tools to manage controls and produce actionable reporting.


• Fluency in written and spoken English, with the ability to produce concise, audit-ready documentation and communicate complex risks, findings, and recommendations to both technical and non‑technical audiences.


• Ability to rapidly understand complex HR processes, regulatory requirements, technologies, and organizational dependencies, and convert that knowledge into practical risk and control solutions.


• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to constructively challenge stakeholders, resolve competing priorities, and drive cross-functional commitments to completion.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, HR, or a related field.


• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, CISA, CFE, CRISC, or an equivalent controls, audit, risk, or privacy qualification.


• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.


• Ability to clearly explain technical issues and risksto both technical and non-technical audiences in English.


• Demonstrates a strong work ethicand commitment to continuous improvement.


• Experienced in global organizationsand collaborating across time zones.


• Working knowledge of global data protection and privacy principles and experience embedding privacy requirements into HR processes, technology, access, data retention, and third-party arrangements.

Workplace: Brazil (remote)

Working hours: From 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) - Monday to Friday.

Being You

The "Kyn" in Kyndryl means kinship, which represents the strong bonds we have with each other, our customers and our communities. We focus on ensuring all Kyndryls feel included and we welcome people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. We believe in growth, and we're excited to see what you can bring. At Kyndryl, employee feedback has told us that our number one driver of employee engagement is belonging. That sense of belonging - being a valued, respected, trusted member of the team - is fundamental to our culture and fueling great experiences for our customers. This dedication to welcoming everyone into our company means that Kyndryl gives you the ability to thrive and contribute to our culture of empathy and shared success. That's The Kyndryl Way.

What You Can Expect

Your career with us isn't just a job- it's an adventure with purpose. We offer a dynamic, hybrid-friendly culture that supports your well-being and empowers you to grow. Our Be Well programs are thoughtfully designed to support your financial, mental, physical, and social health- because we know that when you feel your best, you do your best.

From your very first day, you’ll dive into impactful work that powers the systems our customers rely on every day. You won't just contribute- you'll make a difference, tackling meaningful projects that sharpen your skills and fuel your growth.

We're here to champion your journey. With powerful tools to chart your career path, personalized development goals aligned with your ambitions, and continuous feedback to keep you inspired and on track, you'll have everything you need to thrive and evolve. You'll develop in-demand skills to grow your career and achieve your ambitions with access to cutting-edge learning opportunities- from certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon to coaching and hands-on experiences. And through it all, you'll be part of a culture that values empathy, restless learning, and a devotion to shared success.

We want you to thrive here-and we’re committed to helping you do just that. Ready to make an impact? Join us and help shape what's next.