Senior Director, Internal Controls

Ford • Dearborn, MI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Internal Control is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of the organization’s global operational control framework. This individual ensures the integrity of financial reporting, safeguards company assets, and maintains compliance with statutory regulations. As a strategic partner to the business, you will lead a high-performing team to identify operational risks and implement sustainable, automated control solutions across global operations.
This role will report to the Executive Director of Global Internal Controls with frequent reporting to business line executives and leaders, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.
This position will lead a team of internal control professionals based in the United States and Europe.

Requirements

• At least 13-15+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, internal control or public accounting (Big 4 experience is a plus).
• Bachelor’s degree – preferably in Business or Accounting, Master’s degree in business (MBA).
• Professional certification is required (CPA, CIA or CISA)
• Deep understanding of US GAAP, SOX 404 and COSO Framework.
• Leadership – ability to drive Operational and Finance teams to results with tactful assertiveness.
• Teamwork and Flexibility – as a member of a dynamic workgroup, ability to support other team members in order to ensure balanced team workload and achievement of group objectives.
• Self-motivated and autonomous – able to work independently, seeking guidance when appropriate.
• Communication and active listening – ability to quickly understand the details around control issues while leading the discussion with Operations and Finance around potential solutions.
• Risk-based thinking - generate new ideas of how to maintain a controlled environment in a fast-paced and constantly changing enterprise.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in manufacturing or automotive environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design & Implementation: Lead the development and maintenance of a global internal control framework based on the COSO model.
• Risk Assessment: Execute annual and ongoing enterprise risk assessments to identify financial, operational, and compliance vulnerabilities.
• Digital Transformation: Proactively identify opportunities to automate manual controls through ERP enhancements (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and data analytics tools.
• Policy Governance: Establish and enforce internal control policies.
• Deficiency Management: Lead the root-cause analysis of control failures and partner with business owners to develop and track remediation plans.
• Process Optimization: Collaborate with cross-functional teams (IT, Supply Chain, Manufacturing) to embed controls into new business processes and system implementations.
• Team Development: Manage and mentor a team of internal control professionals, fostering a culture of professional growth and ethical standards.
• Executive Reporting: Lead the preparation updates on control effectiveness, significant deficiencies, and remediation progress to the Audit Committee and Senior Leadership.

Benefits

• generous PTO
• retirement, savings and stock investment plans
• incentive compensation
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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