Senior Director, Internal Audit – Business SOX Program & Transformation

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 larger 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 in a matrixed organization, and acts with unyielding integrity.

• Education: Master’s degree or MBA.

GE Aerospace offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Aerospace will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable). Employees may also be subject to random and reasonable-suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes