Director, Risk & Controls

Polaris • Medina, MN

1d • Hybrid

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 compliance program and internal control over financial reporting. Reporting to the Polaris Corporate Controller, this role owns 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, collaborating 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 integrating 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.
• Travel is required, including travel to international locations, up to 15%.
• Not eligible for sponsorship.
• Former employees must be eligible for rehire; current employees must be in good standing.

Nice To Haves

• Manufacturing, consumer products, or global company experience.
• CPA, CIA, CISA, or another 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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including a market-leading profit-sharing plan.
• Company contributions to an 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.
• Support for employees volunteering through the Polaris Foundation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director