Director, Internal Controls

New York State Energy Research•Albany, NY

22h

About The Position

NYSERDA is seeking a Director of Internal Controls to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization’s internal control framework, risk management, compliance, and control improvement initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director ensures processes, systems, policies, and controls are appropriately designed, consistently executed, and aligned with organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. The role partners with Finance leadership, Internal Audit, Legal, Information Technology, Information Security, Operations, and other business leaders to identify and mitigate financial and operational risks, strengthen internal controls, and promote accountability and continuous improvement. The Director leads internal control and risk management activities; supports financial compliance and governance; serves as a key Finance liaison for internal and external audits; leads process-improvement initiatives; and advises senior leaders on control, financial risk, and compliance matters. The position also develops staff, builds cross-functional partnerships, delivers training and guidance, and communicates control and risk issues to executive leadership and other stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field with 10 years of relevant experience, including 5 years in supervisory roles; or a master’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience, including 5 years in supervisory roles.
Relevant experience may be in internal controls, internal audit, accounting, finance, risk management, compliance, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience designing, evaluating, and improving internal control environments.
Strong knowledge of financial processes, risk assessment, and governance principles.
Experience working with internal and external auditors.
Experience with ERP systems and financial technology platforms.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders across organizational functions.
Experience leading projects and managing multiple priorities in a complex organization.
Intellectual curiosity and a desire to improve processes to meet business needs while maintaining compliance standards.

Nice To Haves

CPA, CIA, CISA, CFE, or another relevant professional certification.
Experience with the COSO Internal Control—Integrated Framework and enterprise risk management principles.
Experience with SOX compliance.
Experience developing automated or technology-enabled internal controls.
Experience in a highly regulated, nonprofit, governmental, or similarly complex environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, documentation, and ongoing assessment of the organization’s internal control framework.
Evaluate financial and operational controls and identify opportunities to strengthen the control environment.
Develop and maintain risk assessments, control matrices, process documentation, and remediation plans.
Identify emerging financial, operational, compliance, and technology-related risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
Establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to provide leadership visibility into control risks and deficiencies.
Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, authorization protocols, reconciliations, and other safeguards.
Ensure financial processes and controls comply with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, organizational policies, and funding requirements.
Partner with Finance leadership to strengthen governance over financial reporting, budgeting, procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other financial processes.
Monitor changes in regulatory and accounting requirements and assess their potential impact on the control environment.
Develop and maintain internal control policies, procedures, standards, and guidance.
Serve as a key Finance liaison for internal and external audits.
Coordinate management responses to audit findings and oversee corrective action plans.
Monitor remediation activities and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
Support preparation of audit materials, financial control documentation, and management representations.
Collaborate with Internal Audit and external auditors to ensure appropriate coverage of significant financial and operational risks.
Lead initiatives to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and reliability of financial processes and controls.
Evaluate processes and identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and technology-enabled controls.
Partner with Finance and IT teams on financial system implementations, enhancements, and related control requirements.
Promote continuous improvement across Finance and the broader organization.
Advise the CFO and VP on internal controls, financial risk, and compliance matters.
Build partnerships across departments to promote control ownership and accountability.
Develop and deliver training and guidance on internal controls, policies, risk management, and compliance.
Lead, mentor, and develop internal controls staff, as applicable.
Communicate complex control and risk matters clearly to executive leadership and other stakeholders.
Perform managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.