AVP – Internal Controls

Job Description: • Establish the vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Internal Controls department, including defining its mandate, structure, and operational procedures. • Serve as the subject matter expert on internal controls, providing guidance and education to business partners and senior management. • Develop and maintain comprehensive, risk-based SOX compliance program that meets regulatory requirements and provides assurance over the company’s internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR). • Lead walkthroughs of key business processes and collaborate with process owners across the company to design effective, preventative, and efficient controls. • Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify, evaluate, and prioritize financial reporting and operational risks inherent to the P&C insurance business. • Evaluate and mature the company's control environment by providing strategic risk guidance and designing mitigating controls. • Establish and monitor key risk and performance indicators to provide early identification of risk trends and potential control deficiencies. • Embed themselves in key company initiatives to provide risk and control advisory support for system upgrades and implementations. • Lead the evaluation of control deficiencies to understand root cause and impact and work with process owners to develop effective remediation plans. • Champion a continuous improvement mindset, challenging existing processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and implement efficiencies. • Evaluate controls and processes for opportunities to leverage automation and new technologies, reducing manual effort and improving control effectiveness. • Partner with management to provide value-added recommendations that address identified control weaknesses in a sustainable and effective manner. • Liaise directly with the company’s internal and external auditors, serving as the main point of contact for all SOX and internal control matters. • Report regularly to senior leadership and the Audit Committee on the status of the internal control environment, highlighting key risks and progress on remediation. • Collaborate with other governance and risk functions (e.g., Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit) to ensure an integrated and holistic approach to risk management. Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related field preferred • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is strongly preferred • 12+ years of experience in internal audit, internal controls, or public accounting, preferably within the insurance or financial services industry preferred • Proven experience designing and implementing a SOX compliance program, including leading risk assessments, control design and documentation • Demonstrated experience in a public company environment, with a strong understanding of SEC and PCAOB regulations related to ICFR • Experience building and managing a team, including attracting, hiring, and developing talent • Deep knowledge of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, COSO framework, and US GAAP. • Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to identify, analyze, and interpret complex business processes and risks. • Proven ability to drive process improvements and implement automated control solutions. • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to effectively present complex information to all levels of the organization. • Strong leadership, interpersonal, and collaborative skills to influence change without direct authority. Benefits: • Annual incentive compensation • Medical, dental, vision & life insurance • Accident, critical illness & short-term disability insurance • Retirement plans with employer contributions • Generous time-off program • Programs designed to support the employee well-being and financial security.