Internal Controls Optimization Lead

Job Description:

About the Team: This role offers direct exposure to a transforming, AI-enabled Finance organization, a broad view across Finance Operations workflows, and the opportunity to shape a leaner, more automated control environment at one of the world's most trusted business-information companies.

About the Role

As a key member of the Internal Audit team, the Internal Controls Optimization Lead supports the evaluation, streamlining, and enhancement of the organization's internal control environment, with the goal of reducing compliance cost while maintaining the effectiveness of risk management. The role spans traditional control frameworks and automated, machine-learning-enabled systems, and contributes to business process improvement initiatives and related projects across Finance Operations. The Lead supports ongoing compliance monitoring and drives the resolution of internal control inquiries and enhancements. A defining feature of the role is pace: the successful candidate will evaluate and integrate fast-changing knowledge and audit tooling — including AI-driven capabilities — into internal processes and controls, and communicate effectively with stakeholders across departments as the Finance organization evolves. You will report to the Intnl Controls/Compliance Manager and be based in our New Jersey office.

You Will:

• Lead and/or engage in business process improvement initiatives and projects as assigned, identifying opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate controls.
• Evaluate the control impact of process and system changes; recommend control rationalization and design enhancements that reduce manual effort without reducing assurance.
• Support the adoption of new audit and monitoring tools, including AI-enabled solutions, into day-to-day control operation. Assist business operations with implementation of new solutions.
• Independently research and bring to resolution general compliance issues as they arise, escalating appropriately.
• Compile, analyze, review, and research Finance Operations data to support issue resolution, management reporting, and AI-supported improvement initiatives.
• Maintain clear, audit-ready documentation of decisions, control changes, and remediation status.

You Have:

• Minimum 5 years of related work experience in internal controls, audit, compliance, or finance operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent work experience. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of auditing principles and standards and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance.
• Relevant background and understanding of finance operations processes (e.g., order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, record-to-report).
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot and resolve internal control and compliance issues.
• Proficiency in the design and implementation of internal control policies and procedures.
• Strong data analysis skills and demonstrated prior business process improvement experience.
• Ability to quickly understand, interpret, and communicate business and technical issues to varied audiences; excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to quickly learn and utilize a variety of systems and new developing AI solutions; strong organization, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Professional certification or active pursuit thereof (CPA, CIA, or CISA) (Preferred).
• Experience in project coordination or management for systems implementations (Preferred).
• Experience with financial systems modules (ERP, billing, or reporting platforms) (Preferred).
• Exposure to process documentation and improvement methodologies (Preferred).

Our Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Retirement Plans
• Comprehensive Insurance Plans
• Lifestyle Programs & Wellness Resources
• Education Benefits
• Family Care Benefits & Caregiving Support
• Commuter Transit Program
• Subscription Discounts
• Employee Referral Program
• Financial Health Programs
• Cybersecurity Protection
• Learn more about all our US benefits

#LI-Hybrid

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. EEO/Disabled/Vets

Reasonable Accommodation

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application or participating in an interview due to a disability, email us at [email protected]. Please put "Reasonable Accommodation" in the subject line and provide a brief description of the type of assistance you need. This inbox will not be monitored for application status updates.

Please refer to the privacy notice at the bottom of this page for submitting any data access, deletion, or other data subject rights requests, where permitted under your local laws and regulations.

Business Area:

Dow Jones - Finance

Job Category:

Finance

Union Status:

Non-Union roleBase Pay Range: $90,000 - $120,000

We’re committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation to attract top talent. This pay range reflects our good faith estimate for the role and may vary based on a candidate’s experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors.

For bonus-eligible roles, targets are determined based on multiple considerations, including market benchmarks and individual contributions.

For benefits-eligible roles, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.