VP - Sox Assurance

Purpose of the role

To partner with the bank, to provide independent insurance on control processes and advise on improvements to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the bank’s internal controls framework.  

Accountabilities

• Collaboration across the bank to maintain a satisfactory, robust, and efficient control environment through the execution of ad-hoc assessments and testing on the design and operational effectiveness of the internal controls, aligned to control policies and standards.

• Development of detailed test plans and procedures to identify weaknesses in internal controls and other initiatives aligned to the bank’s control framework to mitigate any potential risks and issues, prioritised by its severity to disrupt bank operations, potential losses, and reputational impact.

• Communication of key findings and observations to the relevant stakeholders and business units to improve overall control efficiency and provide corrective actions to senior managers. Collaboration with other control professionals to resolve complex issues and ensure consistent testing methodologies across the bank.

• Development of a knowledge centre containing detailed documentation of control assessments, testing on design and operational effectiveness of procedures, findings, and the distribution of material on internal controls to train and upskill colleagues within the bank.

Vice President Expectations

• To contribute or set strategy, drive requirements and make recommendations for change. Plan resources, budgets, and policies; manage and maintain policies/ processes; deliver continuous improvements and escalate breaches of policies/procedures..

• If managing a team, they define jobs and responsibilities, planning for the department’s future needs and operations, counselling employees on performance and contributing to employee pay decisions/changes. They may also lead a number of specialists to influence the operations of a department, in alignment with strategic as well as tactical priorities, while balancing short and long term goals and ensuring that budgets and schedules meet corporate requirements..

• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others..

• OR for an individual contributor, they will be a subject matter expert within own discipline and will guide technical direction. They will lead collaborative, multi-year assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..

• Advise key stakeholders, including functional leadership teams and senior management on functional and cross functional areas of impact and alignment.

• Manage and mitigate risks through assessment, in support of the control and governance agenda.

• Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work your team does.

• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the organisation functions to contribute to achieving the goals of the business.

• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategies.

• Create solutions based on sophisticated analytical thought comparing and selecting complex alternatives. In-depth analysis with interpretative thinking will be required to define problems and develop innovative solutions.

• Adopt and include the outcomes of extensive research in problem solving processes.

• Seek out, build and maintain trusting relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in order to accomplish key business objectives, using influencing and negotiating skills to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

At Barclays, we don’t just adapt to the future – we shape it. Embark on a transformative journey as VP – Sox Assurance, where you'll lead key components of the Group Sox assurance, ensuring effective design, execution, and reporting of Sox testing across assigned areas. This role will be accountable for high -complexity and high impact streams including FC Sox, Consolidation, Group-level reporting, Notes Disclosures and Issue management. You will be reporting to the Global Group Sox lead and will be responsible to liaison with the external auditors to drive quality, timeliness, and efficiency in Sox compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Core Sox Streams – Deliver testing for FC Sox (Financial Controls); Consolidation Controls and processes; Group-level Sox processes; Disclosure project and related testing (including Tesco Impact); Issue management.

• Stakeholder Management – Act as a key contact for senior leadership, business units, and external auditors.

• Quality Assurance – Ensure testing is performed to a high standard, with robust evidence, effective challenge and timely escalation of issues.

• Continuous improvement – Identify and implement process improvements to enhance Sox efficiency and effectiveness.

To be successful as a VP – Sox Assurance, you should have: 

• In-depth knowledge of Sox responsibilities, COSO framework, and internal controls over financial reporting.

• Strong understanding of consolidation processes, group reporting and disclosure requirements.

• Proven ability to lead multi location teams and influence senior stakeholders.

• Strong relationship management skills with finance, risk, and other business units.

• Ability to analyze complex control environment and identify root causes of deficiencies.

• Track record of delivering large scale assurance programmes on time and to quality standards.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with ability to convey complex issues clearly.

Some other highly valued skills may include:

• Experience in a BIG 4 audit firm or in-house internal audit / Sox programme at a major financial institution.

• Understanding of IFRS, PCAOB and other relevant reporting framework.

• Experience implementing process automation or data analytics in Sox testing.

• Strong working knowledge of control framework for high complexity areas.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

The location of the role is Gurgaon, Chennai or Noida, IN.