Senior Director, Internal Audit - Business SOX Program & Transformation

GE Aerospace; Evendale (OH); On-site; USD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Aerospace in Ohio seeks a senior leader to transform the business process SOX program into a risk-based, technology-enabled function. You will shape global SOX strategy, lead a multi‑national team and drive innovation in testing and controls automation.

In this role you will partner with IT and finance executives, own scoping and deficiencies, and ensure timely remediation while aligning with the CAO and Audit Committee materials. Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or STEM with professional certification.
• 10+ years in SOX/ICFR, internal audit, risk advisory or controllership.
• 8+ years leading teams and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the business process SOX roadmap aligned to the global strategy.
• Lead risk assessment, scoping, control rationalization and oversight of controls.
• Drive innovation in testing via automation, analytics, AI-enabled testing, and continuous controls monitoring.
• Partner with IT SOX and finance leaders to coordinate ITGCs, ITACs, and key reports.
• Develop and coach a ~10-person global team across the US and Europe.
• Provide executive-level reporting on status, risks and trends to CAO and Audit Committee materials.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Global team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or STEM

CPA/CIA/CISA or equivalent

Tools

ITGCs

ERP environments (SAP, Oracle)

Controls automation and analytics/AI tools

Job description

Job Description Summary

Lead the transformation of GE Aerospace's business process SOX program into a world-class, risk-based and technology-enabled program, playing a key role in shaping the global SOX strategy with the Internal Audit SOX Executive and leading implementation. This senior leader has decision authority over business process scoping, testing and deficiencies, personally develops a global team, advises business executives, and drives innovation and IT integration. The goal is to make SOX simpler, smarter and more valuable to the business.

Job Description

Business SOX Strategy & Transformation

Shape and deliver the business process SOX roadmap, aligned to the global SOX strategy and operating model.

Lead business process risk assessment, scoping, control rationalization, and limited oversight and review of controls, and recommend changes to the SOX Executive.

Deliver innovation in testing through automation, data analytics, AI-enabled testing and continuous controls monitoring.

Optimize operations using FLIGHT DECK (or Lean) principles: standard work, simplification and a lower cost of compliance.

Partner with the IT SOX Senior Director on an integrated approach across business process controls, ITGCs, ITACs, and key reports.

Build controls into system implementations, acquisitions and business transformations early in each project.

Executive Partnership & Customer Service

Act as a trusted advisor to business Controllers, SOX Governance and business CFOs, with clear, concise and actionable communication.

Report business SOX status, risks and trends to the SOX Executive, CAO and SOX Governance, and contribute to Audit Committee materials.

Make the final judgment on business process deficiency evaluations. Bring in the SOX Executive for high-visibility deficiencies or aggregation risk that could lead to a significant deficiency or material weakness.

Lead deficiency identification and closure strategy with control owners and SOX Governance, influencing with authority to get timely resolution.

Manage the day-to-day external auditor relationship on business controls and carry out the reliance strategy.

People Leadership & Talent Development

Lead a ~10‑person global team of managers and staff across the US and Europe (Budapest), plus co‑source and vendor resources.

Hands‑on developer of talent: personally coach managers and staff through regular feedback, stretch assignments and career conversations.

Attract, develop and retain top talent, and build succession for each manager role.

Develop managers into leaders, building capacity and accountability across a dispersed, virtual team.

Build an inclusive, engaged, high‑performing culture based on Respect for People, Continuous Improvement and Customer Driven behaviors.

Manage the business SOX resource plan, contribute to the budget to actual process, and co‑source performance within the approved budget.

Industry & Functional Leadership

Take part in peer benchmarking, industry forums and professional networks, and bring leading practices into the program.

Link with Controllership, Digital Technology and Compliance to anticipate emerging risks and regulatory change.

Partner with Assurance & Advisory and Technology & Innovation leaders to coordinate coverage and adopt department technology.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a STEM field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in SOX/ICFR, internal audit, risk advisory or controllership.
• 8+ years leading teams
• Active CPA, CIA, CISA or equivalent professional certification.
• Proven track record leading SOX or controls transformation (e.g., rationalization, automation, process redesign).
• Demonstrated ability to influence and present to executive‑level leaders.
• US‑based, with the ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Desired Characteristics

• Managing diverse teams : Experience managing managers and geographically dispersed teams.
• Talent builder : track record of developing people who were promoted into large roles, and coaching across cultures and time zones.
• Customer‑service mindset : executive presence and a calm, confident, concise communicator who builds trust quickly and can influence cross‑functionally.
• Transformation mindset : thinks in terms of integration and risk rather than detailed testing; comfortable challenging the status quo.
• Technology fluency : working knowledge of ITGCs, ERP environments (e.g., SAP, Oracle), IPE, and controls automation and analytics/AI tools.
• Industry presence : active external network; peer benchmarking groups or professional associations (IIA, AICPA, ISACA).
• Experience : Big 4 or regional accounting firm and/or industry experience at a large, complex multinational public company; Aerospace, industrial or manufacturing preferred.
• Lean leader : Lean/continuous-improvement experience; applies FLIGHT DECK (or lean) principles to drive measurable results.
• Leadership style : high EQ and humility, works well i