Head of SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) Compliance (London)

Marex Group plc is a diversified global financial services platform, providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients in the energy, commodities and financial markets. It listed on Nasdaq Global Select Market in April 2024. With more than 35 offices in Europe, US and APAC, it has unique access across markets with significant share globally both on and off exchange. The depth of knowledge amongst its teams and divisions provides its customers with clear advantage, and its technology-led service provides access to all major exchanges, order-flow management via screen, voice and DMA, plus award-winning data, insights and analytics.

The Head of SOX Compliance to oversee and manage all aspects of our Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance at Marex. This role is critical in ensuring the firm adheres to the necessary internal controls and financial reporting requirements mandated under SOX, while also driving improvements in internal control processes. You will lead a team responsible for managing the end-to-end SOX compliance process, ensuring that controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively. This includes independent control testing and maintenance of the process flow documentation.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in internal controls, financial reporting, and audit processes who is looking to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and growing environment.

Overall responsibilities:

Leadership and Collaboration:

Lead a team of SOX compliance professionals (in the UK and US), providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management to ensure effective execution of compliance initiatives.
Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, internal audit, external auditors, and business unit leaders, to foster a culture of compliance.
Act as a trusted advisor to senior management on SOX-related matters, providing recommendations on control enhancements and compliance strategy.

SOX Compliance Oversight:
Lead the SOX compliance program, ensuring adherence to all relevant internal control requirements as per the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 404) for financial reporting and internal controls.
Develop and execute the annual SOX compliance plan, ensuring timely execution of assessments and reporting.

Internal Controls Management:
Oversee the design, implementation, and testing of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) across the organization, ensuring they are effective and efficient.
Identify and evaluate control gaps, propose solutions, and work with cross-functional teams to remediate issues.

Risk Assessment and Process Improvements:
Lead the risk assessment process to identify financial and operational risks, ensuring appropriate controls are in place to mitigate these risks.
Drive continuous improvement in internal control processes, working closely with business units to streamline operations without compromising control effectiveness.

Coordination with External Auditors:
Serve as the primary point of contact with external auditors on SOX-related matters. Coordinate the annual SOX audit, ensuring that all documentation, testing, and remediation efforts are completed on time and meet audit requirements.
Assist in the preparation for the quarterly reviews and annual audits, providing supporting documentation and addressing auditor queries.

Training & Awareness:
Provide training and guidance to key business stakeholders on SOX compliance and internal controls best practices.
Promote a strong culture of compliance and control awareness throughout the organization.

SOX Reporting & Documentation:
Ensure thorough documentation of internal controls, processes, and testing procedures. Prepare and present detailed SOX compliance reports to senior management and the Audit Committee, highlighting significant findings and any necessary corrective actions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with finance, IT, legal, and operational teams to ensure that internal controls are aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with the CFO, CRO, and other senior leaders to drive the strategic direction of SOX compliance efforts.
• Ensuring compliance with the company’s regulatory requirements under the FCA, NFA, AMF, AFM, MAS and any other appropriate regulatory body.
• Adhere to the operational risk framework for your role ensuring that all regulatory or company determined parameters are complied with.
• Role model for demonstrating highest level standards of integrity and conduct and reflecting Company Values.
• At all times complying with the FCA’s Code of Conduct and Marex’s Code of Conduct
• To ensure that you are fully aware of and adhere to internal policies that relate to you, your role or any other activities for which you have any level of responsibility
• To report any breaches of policy to Compliance and/ or your supervisor as required
• To escalate risk events immediately
• To provide input to risk management processes, as required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• A collaborative team player, approachable, self-efficient and influences a positive work environment
• Resilient in a challenging, fast-paced environment
• Ability to take a high level of responsibility in a fast pace and high-volume environment
• Excels at building relationships, networking and influencing others
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strategic collaborator with insight and agility, able to anticipate future challenges, ensuring operational effectiveness

Skills and Experience

• Strong knowledge of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, COSO framework, and other relevant financial regulations.
• Proficient in internal controls design and testing, financial reporting, and risk assessment.
• Familiarity with financial systems and software tools, such as Peoplesoft, SAP, Oracle, or other ERPs, and audit management software (e.g., Workiva, TeamMate, RSA Archer). 8+ years of relevant experience in SOX compliance, internal controls, and/or audit (preferably with experience in financial services or a regulated industry).
• Proven experience managing and leading SOX compliance programs, with an understanding of the regulatory environment and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with SOX audits, risk management, and process optimization
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPA, CIA, or other relevant certifications preferred.
• Experience working in a regulated environment and knowledge of the risk and compliance requirements associated with this.

Conduct Rules

You must:

• Act with integrity
• Act with due skill, care and diligence
• Be open and cooperative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators
• Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly
• Observe proper standard of market conduct

Company Values

Acting as a role model for the values of the Company:

Respect – Clients are at the heart of our business, with superior execution and superb client service the foundation of the firm. We respect our clients and always treat them fairly.

Integrity
– Doing business the right way is the only way. We hold ourselves to a high ethical standard in everything we do – our clients expect this and we demand it of ourselves.

Collaborative
– We work in teams – open and direct communication and the willingness to work hard and collaboratively are the basis for effective teamwork. Working well with others is necessary for us to succeed at what we do.

Developing our People
– Our people are the basis of our competitive advantage. We look to “grow our own” and make Marex the place ambitious, hardworking, talented people choose to build their careers.

Adaptable and Nimble
– Our size and flexibility is an advantage. We are big enough to support our client’s various needs, and adaptable and nimble enough to respond quickly to changing conditions or requirements. A non-bureaucratic, but well controlled environment fosters initiative as well as employee satisfaction.

Marex is fully committed to the elimination of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the differences that a diverse workforce brings to the company.

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