Supervisor - Internal Audit

Title:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced SOX Program Management Officer – Business Controls professional to join our Audit & Advisory function. This role is critical in managing and evolving the KBR’s SOX compliance program, with a focus on internal controls over financial reporting. While the role sits within Audit & Advisory, it acts as a strategic connector between internal controls teams, SOX champions, and process owners across Finance, Operations, and Compliance. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in SOX and internal controls, with a keen ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical, business-aligned solutions.

Success in this role requires more than just technical expertise. We're looking for someone with exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, capable of negotiating timelines, influencing change, and resolving potential conflicts in a collaborative and constructive manner. The ability to coordinate across functions, build trust with control owners, and manage competing priorities with professionalism and diplomacy is essential. This is a high-impact role that not only safeguards compliance but also contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

This role is based in Chennai and follows a hybrid working model. The ideal candidate should be agile and flexible, willing to travel as needed and ready to embrace opportunities as they arise.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end SOX compliance program from within the Audit and Advisory Services function, ensuring effective coordination between internal controls teams, SOX champions, process owners, and external auditors.
• Serve as the central liaison for business control-related SOX activities, facilitating clear communication, issue tracking, and alignment across multiple functions.
• Drive SOX program governance, including annual risk assessments, control scoping, documentation updates, and adherence to COSO and PCAOB standards.
• Partner with control owners to ensure controls are well-designed, effectively executed, and appropriately evidenced, providing guidance and training as needed.
• Lead control rationalization initiatives, identifying and eliminating redundant or low-value controls while ensuring adequate risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement efficiency improvements, including process automation, workflow enhancements, and use of standardized documentation.
• Manage testing schedules, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring timely execution of walkthroughs, control testing, issue remediation, and reporting.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and resolve potential conflicts through effective negotiation and influence, ensuring consensus and progress on key control issues.
• Track and report key SOX program metrics and risk indicators to senior leadership and the Audit Committee, highlighting progress, risks, and remediation status.
• Stay informed on regulatory updates and PCAOB inspection focus areas, adjusting program priorities and expectations accordingly.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certifications such as CPA, CIA, or CA are strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in SOX compliance, internal controls, audit, or risk management—preferably within a complex, matrixed organization; experience with a Big 4 or other reputed consulting firm is highly preferred.
• Deep understanding of SOX 404 requirements, the COSO 2013 framework, and PCAOB auditing standards, particularly as they relate to control design, precision, and documentation.
• Proven experience in control rationalization, risk-based scoping, and designing streamlined, effective internal control environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive SOX strategization efforts, aligning compliance goals with broader business objectives while promoting continuous improvement.
• Strong track record of leading efficiency initiatives, including the use of automation, workflow tools, or digital solutions to optimize testing, documentation, and control execution.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across business functions and build trust with control owners, champions, and senior leadership.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to mediate differing views and guide cross-functional teams toward consensus and timely decision-making.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables in a dynamic environment.
• Experience working with external auditors and navigating audit readiness and PCAOB inspection expectations.
• Proficiency in SOX and control documentation tools (e.g., Workiva, AuditBoard, Microsoft Dynamics) and strong working knowledge of ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle smart view) is a plus.