The SOX Process Optimization Manager is responsible for driving the optimization and automation of business processes, ensuring that internal controls are efficient, sustainable, and embedded within process and system design.
The role focuses on improving end-to-end process effectiveness, simplifying control environments, and enabling scalable technology solutions, while ensuring alignment with compliance and risk management requirements.
Acting as a bridge between business, technology, and compliance functions, the role drives process improvements to reduce operational burden by embedding controls by design, while maintaining SOX compliance. The SOX Process Optimization Manager will work closely with the SOX Compliance team, IT, and Data & Analytics (DnA) teams to deliver practical, simple, efficient, and compliant solutions.
The role reports to the SOX Optimization Lead, sits within the Executive Projects function, and plays a key role in advancing the organization's process excellence agenda.
Key Responsibilities
Control & Process Optimization
- Drive end-to-end process optimization initiatives across business functions, focusing on simplification, efficiency, automation, system enablement controls, and auditability in alignment with the SOX Optimization Lead.
- Challenge existing processes and drive opportunities to replace manual controls with automated or system-driven solutions, in partnership with the Data & Analytics (DnA) and IT teams.
- Maintain strong understanding of IT Application Controls (ITACs) and their impact on business processes and automation to ensure alignment with compliance requirements.
- Embed appropriate controls within process and system design, considering risks from process changes, system integrations, and automation initiatives, while maintaining SOX compliance.
- Maintain a library of flowcharts and SOX controls. Collaborate with stakeholders on relevant data mapping (RDE - Relevant Data Element) and supporting inputs controls where required.
- Partner with the SOX Optimization Lead in defining SOX management tools (e.g. Notion) to enhance oversight and forward vision.
Support to Business Process Owners (BPOs), Control Owners and stakeholders
- Work closely with SOX Compliance Lead to ensure alignment between optimization initiatives and compliance requirements.
- Partner with IT on system-related changes, ensuring clarity of ownership between system infrastructure (IT) and process/control design.
- Engage and support Business Process Owners (BPOs)/Control Owners to drive adoption of improved processes and controls.
- Drive standardization of processes, documentation (e.g. flowcharts, narratives, RCMs), and control frameworks, including maintaining a central repository and supporting data mapping (RDE) with BPOs.
- Ensure minimal disruption to operational activities.
Governance & Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organization's control environment, enhancing governance maturity and enabling a more efficient, scalable, and digitally supported model.
- Identify and manage risks arising from process changes, system integrations, and automation initiatives.
- Support governance forums by providing insights on process and control improvements.
- Support the SOX Optimization Lead in providing management oversight to the relevant committees.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, IT, Accounting, or related field.
- 4-8 years of experience in audit, risk, or SOX compliance related to Business or IT.
- Strong understanding of SOX Internal Controls environments.
Requirements
- Experience in process improvement, transformation, or internal controls (SOX/ICFR exposure preferred).
- Strong understanding of business processes and control frameworks.
- Working knowledge of IT Application Controls (ITACs) and system-enabled controls.
- Experience working with data, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.
- Strong ownership mindset with a drive for continuous improvement, coupled with a proactive, innovative approach and openness to collaboration across functions.
- Ability to translate technical IT topics into business impact and vice versa.
- Strong documentation and analytical skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
- Experience in US listed company environment preferred.
