Director, Risk & Controls
About The Position
The Director, Risk & Controls provides strategic leadership within Polaris’ Finance organization and serves as the second line of defense for the company’s Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program and internal control over financial reporting. Reporting to the Polaris Corporate Controller, this role owns the governance, management, and continuous improvement of the global SOX program while strengthening a consistent and sustainable control environment. The Director leads the controls workstream for the ERP implementation and collaborates across Finance, Information Technology, business functions, audit organizations, implementation teams, and third-party consultants. The position has significant ownership of enterprise controls, executive reporting, and integration of scalable controls into future-state processes and systems. Travel, including international travel, is required up to 15%. The position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, information systems, business, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of progressive professional experience in SOX compliance, internal controls, public accounting, internal audit, controllership, risk management, or a related field.
- Deep understanding of SOX, internal control over financial reporting, COSO, financial reporting processes, risk assessment practices, and control governance.
- Experience managing complex SOX programs within a public company environment and partnering with external auditors and internal audit organizations.
- Strong knowledge of business process controls, IT general controls, automated controls, system access, segregation of duties, interfaces, reports, and data conversion risks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs, manage multiple priorities and dependencies, and deliver high-quality results within established timelines.
- Strong project, change, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence leaders, challenge constructively, and drive accountability across Finance, Information Technology, and business functions.
- Excellent written, verbal, and executive presentation skills, including the ability to communicate complex control matters effectively at all levels of management.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted cross-functional relationships.
- The position is not eligible for sponsorship.
- Former employees must be eligible for rehire, and current employees must be in good standing.
Nice To Haves
- Manufacturing, consumer products, or global company experience.
- A CPA, CIA, CISA, or other relevant professional certification.
- Experience with SAP, GRC technology, data analytics, automation, or other controls technology tools.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the global SOX compliance program, including governance, planning, risk assessment, execution, monitoring, and reporting.
- Maintain and enhance the Internal Control over Financial Reporting framework, coordinating annual risk assessments and SOX scoping activities.
- Lead the controls workstream for the ERP implementation, partnering with Finance, Information Technology, business process leaders, and implementation teams to embed effective and scalable controls into future-state processes and system configurations.
- Manage the SOX calendar, certifications, management testing oversight, deficiency evaluation process, remediation monitoring, and management reporting.
- Serve as the primary liaison among management, Internal Audit, and external auditors regarding internal control over financial reporting and SOX-related matters.
- Partner with controllership, Finance, Information Technology, operations, and business leaders to identify financial reporting risks and design practical, sustainable controls.
- Oversee third-party consultants supporting the SOX program and ERP controls workstream, including scope, deliverables, quality, timelines, and knowledge transfer.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of controls.
- Promote strong accountability, risk awareness, and effective control ownership across functions, cultures, and geographies.
- Lead, coach, develop, and mentor team members and manage third-party consulting resources and implementation partners.
- Travel, including to international locations, up to 15%.
Benefits
- Competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan.
- Company contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and discounted employee stock purchases.
- Generous matching contribution to 401(k).
- Financial wellness education and consultation.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Wellness programs.
- Paid time off.
- Gym and personal training reimbursement.
- Life insurance and disability offerings.
- Paid volunteer time off through Polaris Gives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
