SOX Controls Manager

We are seeking an experienced SOX Controls Manager to join a high-performing Group Finance team within a world-renowned manufacturing business. This is a critical pan-European role responsible for leading financial risk and compliance activities across the UK and Europe.

You will play a key role in strengthening the organisation’s internal control environment, partnering with senior stakeholders and influencing business leaders across multiple entities. This position offers the opportunity to operate at a strategic level while driving continuous improvement in governance, risk, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the SOX compliance programme across Europe, ensuring robust implementation and monitoring of controls
• Partner with business process and control owners to drive accountability and continuous improvement
• Oversee both Entity-Level Controls (ELCs) and Process-Level Controls (PLCs), ensuring alignment with organisational objectives
• Maintain and enhance the Risk & Control Matrix (RACM) and ensure alignment with documented processes (e.g. SAP Signavio)
• Coordinate all aspects of IT SOX compliance in partnership with IT teams

Audit & Compliance

• Act as the key liaison with internal and external auditors, addressing findings and supporting remediation plans
• Lead post-audit reviews to identify improvement opportunities and embed best practice
• Oversee control testing planning and execution, ensuring clear ownership and delivery timelines
• Communicate audit outcomes clearly and support stakeholders in developing practical remediation actions

Business Partnering & Advisory

• Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, functional heads, and cross-functional teams
• Provide training and guidance on internal controls and compliance expectations
• Review and enhance control designs to improve efficiency and effectiveness
• Promote strong ownership of controls while maintaining independence

Governance & Risk Management

• Drive wider financial risk and governance initiatives across the business
• Own and manage the department’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP), including training and testing
• Support governance forums including Steering Boards and Regional Committees
• Ensure financial risks are identified and mitigated in key business initiatives
• Monitor finance contracts and proactively identify and mitigate fraud risk

Projects & Change Management

• Act as the SME for financial risk and controls across major transformation programmes
• Support implementation of new and revised controls, ensuring effective adoption
• Bridge communication between project teams, IT, and operational stakeholders
• Lead on key change management initiatives related to controls and compliance

Person Requirements:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
• Extensive experience in SOX, internal controls, or financial compliance
• Proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts clearly
• Highly organised with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• Demonstrated leadership capability with accountability for results