Senior Director, Internal Controls

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world – together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?

Finance strategically partners with operations to drive outstanding business results and enhance Ford’s industry leadership. When you join us, you’ll be able to contribute financial expertise that impacts all areas of our company.

In this position…

• The Senior Director of Internal Control is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversight of the organization’s global operational control framework. This individual ensures the integrity of financial reporting, safeguards company assets, and maintains compliance with statutory regulations. As a strategic partner to the business, you will lead a high-performing team to identify operational risks and implement sustainable, automated control solutions across global operations.
• This role will report to the Executive Director of Global Internal Controls with frequent reporting to business line executives and leaders, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.
• This position will lead a team of internal control professionals based in the United States and Europe.

What you’ll do…

• Operational Control Framework
• Design & Implementation:
  Lead the development and maintenance of a global internal control framework based on the COSO model.
• Risk Assessment:
  Execute annual and ongoing enterprise risk assessments to identify financial, operational, and compliance vulnerabilities.
• Digital Transformation:
  Proactively identify opportunities to automate manual controls through ERP enhancements (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and data analytics tools.
• Policy Governance:
  Establish and enforce internal control policies.
• Deficiency Management:
  Lead the root-cause analysis of control failures and partner with business owners to develop and track remediation plans.
• Process Optimization:
  Collaborate with cross-functional teams (IT, Supply Chain, Manufacturing) to embed controls into new business processes and system implementations.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management
• Team Development:
  Manage and mentor a team of internal control professionals, fostering a culture of professional growth and ethical standards.
• Executive Reporting:
  Lead the preparation updates on control effectiveness, significant deficiencies, and remediation progress to the Audit Committee and Senior Leadership.

You’ll have…

• Experience:
  
  At least 13-15+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, internal control or public accounting (Big 4 experience is a plus).
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree – preferably in Business or Accounting, Master’s degree in business (MBA).
• Certifications:
  
  Professional certification is required (CPA, CIA or CISA)
• Industry knowledge:
  Deep understanding of US GAAP, SOX 404 and COSO Framework. Experience in manufacturing or automotive environment is preferred.

Key Skills you would need…

• Leadership – ability to drive Operational and Finance teams to results with tactful assertiveness.
• Teamwork and Flexibility – as a member of a dynamic workgroup, ability to support other team members in order to ensure balanced team workload and achievement of group objectives.
• Self‑motivated and autonomous – able to work independently, seeking guidance when appropriate.
• Communication and active listening – ability to quickly understand the details around control issues while leading the discussion with Operations and Finance around potential solutions.
• Risk‑based thinking - generate new ideas of how to maintain a controlled environment in a fast‑paced and constantly changing enterprise.

What you'll receive in return…

As part of the Ford family, you’ll enjoy excellent compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous PTO, retirement, savings and stock investment plans, incentive compensation, and much more. You’ll also experience exciting opportunities for professional and personal growth and recognition.

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you…