Internal Controls IT Senior Manager

Zurich; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich North America is seeking an Internal Controls Senior Manager to join the Risk team at the North American Headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. This role leads IT general controls testing, risk-based assurance, and governance over ServiceNow and the overall control environment.

You will collaborate with IT governance, business leaders, External Audit, Group Audit, and Internal Controls leadership to strengthen control effectiveness, manage issues, and support regulatory, audit, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years in accounting or finance field
• Experience with General Ledger and financial reporting systems
• Knowledge of accounting principles
• CISA or CIA certification preferred
• Experience with GRC platforms such as ServiceNow/OpenPages/Polaris

Responsibilities

• Lead independent testing of IT general, automated and operational controls to assess design and operating effectiveness
• Design and execute risk-based testing strategies and remediation of deficiencies
• Serve as Internal Control Manager for ServiceNow and oversee governance, issue management and reporting
• Oversee IT control testing by other IC managers and senior analysts per ICIF requirements
• Partner with IT Governance and business leaders to identify weaknesses and strengthen controls
• Lead walkthroughs with stakeholders to evaluate end-to-end control design
• Support testing for annual financial statement audit and SOC1/SOC2 reporting
• Coordinate with External Audit and Group Audit to align testing efforts
• Oversee control issues and remediation including root-cause analysis
• Generate management reporting on IT control effectiveness and remediation progress
• Participate in enterprise transformation projects ensuring controls are embedded
• Build relationships across IT/Operations/Finance/Risk/Compliance
• Mentor Internal Controls team members

Skills

ITGCs knowledge

Risk management

Audit practices

Stakeholder influence

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice with Associate Degree

Tools

General Ledger software

Business Objects

Financial query tools

ServiceNow (GRC)

Job description

Zurich North America is currently seeking an experienced Internal Controls Senior Manager to join our Risk team at our North American Headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois.

This role is responsible for providing independent risk-based assurance over Zurich's IT general controls (ITGCs), operational controls, and financial reporting controls in alignment with Zurich's Internal Control Integrated Framework (ICIF). The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to business and technology leaders, helping strengthen control effectiveness, drive continuous improvement, and support regulatory, audit, and governance requirements.

The position serves as the designated Internal Control Manager for ServiceNow, Zurich's information technology GRC platform, and leads oversight of the IT control environment, including testing, issue management, audit coordination, and reporting. The role partners closely with IT Governance, business stakeholders, External Audit, Group Audit, and Internal Controls leadership to ensure a sustainable and effective control framework.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong technical knowledge of ITGCs, risk management, audit practices, and control frameworks, combined with the ability to influence stakeholders and lead through organizational and technology transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead independent testing and review of IT general controls, automated controls, and operational controls to assess design and operating effectiveness.
• Design and execute risk-based testing strategies and facilitate timely remediation of identified control deficiencies.
• Serve as the designated Internal Control Manager for ServiceNow, overseeing control governance activities, issue management, control changes, and reporting.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of IT control testing performed by Internal Control Managers and Senior Analysts, ensuring adherence to ICIF requirements and testing standards.
• Partner with IT Governance and business leaders to identify control weaknesses, assess emerging risks, and strengthen the control environment through preventive and automated controls.
• Analyze organizational, system, and process changes to assess impacts on the control environment and determine required control enhancements.
• Lead and document process walkthroughs with business and technology stakeholders to evaluate end-to-end control design and effectiveness.
• Support the planning and execution of testing required for the annual financial statement audit as well as Zurich's SOC1 and SOC2 reporting obligations.
• Coordinate with External Audit, Group Audit, and other assurance functions to align testing efforts, reduce duplication, and proactively address control-related risks.
• Oversee IT control issues and remediation activities, including root cause analysis, action plan monitoring, and escalation of significant risks.
• Generate meaningful management reporting and insights regarding IT control effectiveness, emerging trends, audit observations, and remediation progress.
• Participate in enterprise transformation initiatives and technology implementations, ensuring appropriate controls are designed and embedded throughout the change lifecycle.
• Build strong relationships across IT, Operations, Finance, Risk, and Compliance to maintain awareness of changing business priorities and emerging risks.
• Act as an informal leader and mentor for the Internal Controls team, supporting coaching, workload prioritization, and technical development of team members.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree and 7 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area
• OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 9 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area
• OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 7 or more years of experience in the Accounting or Finance area
• AND
• Knowledge and experience using accounting principles
• General ledger and transactional experience
• Experience with General Ledger, software, financial reporting systems, Business Objects and financial query tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Insurance industry experience
• CISA or CIA certification
• 4 or more years experience related to internal / external audit or control testing
• Experience with GRC platforms such as ServiceNow, OpenPages/Polaris, or similar tools.

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us.The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The proposed Salary range for this position is $126,700.00 - $207,600.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 20%.

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg

Remote Working: Hybrid

Schedule: Full Time

Employment Sponsorship Offered: No