Internal Audit Senior Manager

Stepan Company; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 123,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401K with Match

Profit Sharing

Job summary

Stepan Company is seeking an Internal Audit Senior Manager to strengthen governance, risk management, and internal controls. The role leads SOX/COSO compliance and collaborates with executives on high-impact audits across finance, operations, IT, and compliance.

You will plan, execute, and report on audits, oversee remediation, and guide a growing team while interfacing with global leadership to shape the function’s strategy and assurance initiatives.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in financial controls, audit, or risk management.
• 2+ years of people management.
• Strong understanding of COSO and risk assessment practices.
• Familiarity with SOX and ITGC controls.
• Experience with audit methods and reporting standards.
• Travel 10–20% (including international).

Responsibilities

• Lead periodic risk assessments and design, document, and enhance key business and IT-dependent controls in response to process changes, system implementations, and identified gaps.
• Oversee the Company’s SOX/COSO program and ensure timely remediation of findings.
• Develop and execute annual internal audit plans based on risk profiles and strategic priorities.
• Lead cross-functional audits from planning through reporting with clear recommendations.
• Coordinate with external auditors and third-party consultants to ensure issue resolution.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Internal Audit staff to strengthen the team.

Skills

Financial controls

Audit

Risk management

People management

COSO

ITGC

Project management

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Accounting

CPA/CIA/CISA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Stepan Company is seeking an experienced and motivated Internal Audit Senior Manager to join our Internal Audit function. This role plays a critical part in strengthening Stepan’s governance, risk management, and internal control framework. The Internal Audit Senior Manager will collaborate closely with the Internal Audit leadership to plan, execute, and report on high impact financial, operational, compliance, and IT audit engagements—including oversight of the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) program. This role requires strong leadership, project management, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to work confidently with stakeholders including executive leadership across various functions of the organization.

The Senior Manager, Internal Audit will serve as a member of the Stepan Global Internal Audit team and will report to the Global Head of Internal Audit. As a member of the Global Audit Leadership team, you will help shape the function’s strategy, strengthen risk management capabilities, and lead assurance and advisory initiatives across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead periodic risk assessments and design, document, and enhance key business and IT-dependent controls in response to process changes, system implementations, and identified gaps.
• Support completion of the Company’s enterprise wide annual risk assessment.
• Assist in developing the annual Internal Audit plan based on risk profiles, strategic priorities, and emerging risks.
• Lead in the development and execution of Audit plans providing assurance over prioritized financial, strategic, regulatory, market, and operational and financial risks.
• Provide input into the Global Audit function organizational design, including the identification of core capability, capacity, and strategic co-sourcing management.
• Contribute to the ongoing optimization of Global Audit Policies and Procedures, including alignment with IIA professional standards.
• Provide clear status reporting, facilitate walkthroughs, and coordinate responses to audit inquiries to drive efficient audits with minimal disruption.
• Oversee remediation verification and ensure timely closure of action plans.
• Develop Global Audit strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with Global Audit Policies and Procedures.
• Lead day to day management of the Company’s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)/COSO compliance program.
• Review and evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls, including Business process controls (BPC), Automated controls, IT General Controls (ITGCs).
• Review staff testing and documentation for completeness and quality.
• Coordinate with external auditors and third party consultants; ensure timely exchange of information and resolution of issues.
• Lead cross functional operational audit engagements from planning through reporting, including scoping, risk assessment, testing, and development of recommendations.
• Utilize strong project management capabilities to deliver audits on time and in alignment with Internal Audit standards.
• Draft high quality internal audit reports to clearly articulate issues, root causes, and risk implications.
• Present audit results and recommendations to process owners, management, and leadership in a clear and concise manner.
• Support the preparation of quarterly Audit Committee materials.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Internal Audit staff, fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in financial controls, audit, or risk management within public accounting and/or complex corporate environments.
• 2+ years of people management.
• Strong understanding of professional audit standards, COSO and risk assessment practices.
• Excellent understanding of internal controls, testing methodologies, and reporting requirements and standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and modern audit tools.
• Project management experience and ability to apply auditing protocols, lead groups of people, and effect change in a matrix organization by influencing stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel 10–20%, including international travel.

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college/university in Accounting or related discipline.
• Professional certification required or in progress: CPA, CIA, and/or CISA preferred.

Pay Range: $123,000 - $180,000

The salary range for this position is determined by considering a variety of factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and the location of the position.

At Stepan Company our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Discretionary Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K with Match
• Profit Sharing