Senior Director Internal Audit

Job Description

Who We Are:

Endeavor is a global sports and entertainment company, home to the world's most dynamic and engaging storytellers, brands, live events and experiences. The company is comprised of industry leaders including entertainment agency WME; sports, fashion, events and media company IMG; and premier mixed martial arts organization UFC. The Endeavor network specializes in talent representation, sports operations & advisory, event & experiences management, media production & distribution, experiential marketing and brand licensing.

Job Title

Senior Director Internal Audit

Department

Endeavor Internal Audit (IA)

Main Purpose of Job
• Support leading IA activities across the enterprise with SVP of IA
• Providing stretch goals to Seniors and Managers to grow them professionally, as well as reduce reliance on EY over time
• Focus on continuing to deliver on risk assessment requirements at both the enterprise and BU level (further embedding ownership and accountability into the business) to the successful remediation of our existing material weakness
• Lead discussions on key control gaps with various stakeholders across the business to gain consensus on practical solutions that improve risk management and process efficiency
• Supporting the strategic improvement of financial controls pursuant to the requirements of SOX 404 and PCAOB requirements in anticipation of a potential public offering
• Assist with the coordination of audit activities with Deloitte, as well as to increase discipline on tracking and resolution of auditor comments
• Significantly reduce control performance deficiencies with the Operating Segments and BUs of responsibility (target 75% reduction from FY 19)
• Support ongoing Audit Committee and executive leadership communications
• Drive quarterly SOX steering committee meetings with members Endeavor's senior leadership team

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Project Management
• Finalize IA planning and resource deployment model to meet budgeted requirements
• Monitor third party consulting fees (EY), including invoices to ensure commiserate with work and value delivered
• Provide PMO support on SOX compliance planning activities as needed or as appropriate

Internal Audit
• Support development of annual Internal Audit plan, including quarterly Audit Committee presentations
• Build a strong teaming model and environment within Internal Audit, Innovate IA delivery model over time to retain knowledge of our business with in-house and reduce reliance on EY
• Support discussions and scoping of investigative procedures as deemed necessary with existing close partnership with Legal
• Work with existing co-source provider EY to properly leverage their expertise where needed and required

SOX 404 Compliance
• Support the SVP of Operations as the new owner of the SOX compliance program to effectively plan and execute upon SOX 404 compliance activities on an annual basis
• Bring forward credible knowledge of PCAOB internal control requirements

Relationships
• Build strong brand and trusted relationships with the SVP CAO Global Controller, SVP Finance Operations and Finance Directors
• Build strong relationship with Deloitte (current auditor)

Unusual Challenges or Circumstances e.g. shift(s)/ unsocial hours/ travel etc.
• Highly complicated environment due our business structure (holding company) and lack of integrated IT environment
• Will be required to work outside of standard working hours.
• Will require travel. Where and when this travel will be required will be commiserate with the key responsibilities outlined above. Candidate should expected to be at least 40-50% of the year.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Mandatory
• Understanding of PCAOB internal control requirements
• Strong executive presence
• Strong understanding of Financial, Operational, Compliance and Strategic risk
• Client account management experience
• Strong end-to-end understanding of SOX financial reporting requirements
• 5+ years of Big 4 audit experience
• Understand media and entertainment industries, in particular agency operating models

Desirable
• SAP
• Audit Board
• Understanding of tax provision controls

Skills and Abilities

Mandatory
• Excellent communicator
• Strong teaming and people development skills

About Endeavor Internal Audit:

Endeavor Internal Audit (IA) has existed for 4 years, for which the primary mandate has been to develop, implement and support Finance in complying with Sarbanes Oxley section 404 (SOX 404). In addition, IA has traditionally supported ad-hoc requests from the business and Legal.

In mid-July 2019, the mandate of Internal Audit shifted significantly to focus on the remediation of two areas of the Company's overall control environment, risk assessment and information and communication. As a result, IA has been intently focused on remediating these areas of the business while simultaneously delivering upon SOX 404 compliance requirements.

Internal Audit is focused on strengthening the overall control environment to support a potential future IPO in the event this re-surfaces as a strategic priority of the Company. Internal Audit's completion the enterprise-wide risk assessment has highlighted a number of areas where improvements to our control are needed.

Endeavor unites and brings people together in our love of sport, culture, and entertainment. We understand this can only be accomplished when we lead with a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. As a global company that drives culture, we strive to reflect the world's diverse voices.  

Endeavor is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the range shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. Endeavor strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

Hiring Range Minimum:
$138,750 annually

Hiring Range Maximum:
$185,000 annually

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-dy251m-216-73-216-0-42 in your application.