Manager SOX Compliance (hybrid)

Manager SOX Compliance

Location: Columbus, OH or Merrillville, IN office (Hybrid – 3 days/week in office)

We are looking for an experienced people leader who can step in and support a high performing team.

We need a proactive critical thinker with strong communication and relationship building skills for this highly visible role. 

Job Summary
The Manager SOX Compliance is responsible for leading the company's Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance program, including internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), risk assessments, and key control testing. The Manager ensures alignment across business process and IT General Controls (ITGC), supports external audit reliance, and drives continuous improvement in the control environment. The Manager also works closely with Accounting, Internal Audit, IT, business control owners, and external auditors to ensure a well-coordinated, efficient, and compliant SOX framework. This includes standardizing processes, improving testing quality, deficiency evaluation, remediation tracking, and CEO/CFO reporting. This role will be involved in large scale IT system transformations and responsible for insuring, with the support of external contractors, new IT and business process controls are appropriately designed and implemented.
Essential Functions

• Ensures all key controls, including SDLC/data mitigation controls, are appropriately designed, documented, and implemented prior to go-live.Oversees the end-to-end SOX 404 program, including planning, scoping, execution, and reporting across business process and ITGC controls.

• Supervises management testing for business processes controls and conducts independent testing of ITGCs, ensuring consistency, quality, and adherence to established methodologies.

• Leads SOX effort with project teams, IT, contractors and external auditors throughout system transformation efforts.

• Oversees the development of remediation plans, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are appropriate, practical, and sustainable.

• Coordinates annual and ongoing risk assessments (including fraud risk and related party) to ensure appropriate scoping of key controls and financial reporting risks.

• Acts as primary liaison with external auditors and Internal Audit, facilitating reliance on management testing and managing audit requests and findings.

• Ensures key controls are properly designed and operating effectively to support reliable financial reporting and regulatory compliance. (i.e. perform annual walkthroughs)

• Integrates legacy IT and business process teams into a single SOX Compliance program. Supervises and trains staff to perform both IT and non-IT related testing.

• Summarizes results in support of SOX testing and reporting requirements to CEO, CFO and CAO on a quarterly basis.

• Maintains appropriate historical records related to the performance of SOX testing and drives automation of SOX testing and monitoring activities.

Required Qualifications For Position

• Bachelor's Degree

• 7+ years of proven experience in SOX compliance (internal audit or big-4 background preferred)

• Demonstrated experience with ERP implementations and designing/implementing new internal controls and related risk assessments

• Strong knowledge of both IT General Controls and business process controls

• Proven project management and organizational skills, specifically managing multiple, concurrent projects High

• Knowledgeable of security risk, governance, and control frameworks High

• Time management and task prioritization High

• Refined communication skills: verbal and written including the ability to present to senior leadership and external/internal audit High

• Open minded and willingness to accept directional changes

• Ability to work independently and comfortable sharing roles on a team

• Analytical thought processes with an ability to clearly communicate those insights

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, organized, strong time management and task prioritization High

• Able to influence others High

• Certified SOX Expert (CSOE) Upon Hire

Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position

• Master's Degree

• Expertise in Archer or Workiva or similar audit workflow platform

As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season. Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include working outside normal hours or assisting with tasks outside of typical responsibilities.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Workplace Connection
We value a workplace where everyone feels respected, included, and able to do their best work. We encourage open dialogue, value different perspectives, and work collaboratively with employees, customers, and partners.

We recognize and respect the unique experiences people bring, including different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints. We treat others with professionalism and care, and we each play a part in creating a positive work environment.

Veteran Hiring & Inclusion

NiSource is proud to support veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. We value the leadership, teamwork, and mission-focused experience the military community brings, and we are committed to providing an inclusive workplace with opportunities for professional growth and development.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may also be considered for other roles that match your skills and experience.

ADA Accommodations

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the hiring process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact OneHR at [email protected] or 1-888-640-3320

Safety Statement
Safety is a core value at NiSource. Employees are expected to follow safety requirements, report hazards, and help maintain a safe environment for themselves and their coworkers.

E-Verify

NiSource participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program. Please review the following notices regarding your rights and responsibilities under U.S. law.

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish)
• Right to Work Poster (English and Spanish)

Salary Range*:

*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.

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