About this role.
Upwork is seeking a senior compliance leader to own its annual SOX 404 program and scale the ICFR framework for a public technology company. The Director will lead scoping, risk assessment, control documentation, testing, remediation, external-auditor coordination, and Audit Committee reporting. The role also manages a SOX compliance team, co-source providers, ITGC coverage, and SOX integration for acquired entities. Success requires deep PCAOB, COSO, SEC, US GAAP, and integrated-audit experience, ideally within a SaaS, marketplace, or other public-company environment.
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4/5Autonomy Level
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Core skills
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Sample interview questions
I begin with a risk-based annual scoping process tied to material accounts, disclosures, systems, and significant business changes. I align process owners, internal audit, IT, and external auditors on the testing plan, monitor evidence and exceptions throughout the year, and drive remediation to closure with clear ownership and timelines.
I evaluate the likelihood and magnitude of a potential misstatement, the nature of the affected account or disclosure, compensating controls, and whether the issue is isolated or systemic. I document the assessment against applicable PCAOB and SEC guidance, validate conclusions with relevant stakeholders, and communicate the business implications clearly to leadership and auditors.
I perform an early assessment of the acquired entity’s financial-reporting processes, systems, control maturity, and close calendar. I identify gaps against the parent-company ICFR framework, prioritize controls for Day 1 and the first reporting cycle, assign accountable owners, and establish a phased remediation plan that supports audit readiness without disrupting operations.
I would coordinate with IT, Engineering, security, and system owners to identify financially relevant applications and interfaces, then scope access management, change management, operations, and relevant automated controls. I focus on evidence quality, segregation of duties, privileged access, and the linkage between ITGC results and reliance on automated business-process controls.
AI can accelerate documentation drafts, issue summaries, evidence organization, and trend analysis, but it should not replace professional judgment. I establish approved use cases, protect confidential information, require human review and source validation, and retain auditable support for every conclusion and control assessment.
Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at Upwork.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at Go-Lifted and follow on LinkedIn.
We’re looking for an experienced Director, SOX Compliance to own and scale our Sarbanes-Oxley program as we continue to grow as a public company. You’ll serve as the primary owner of our internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) framework, partnering closely with Finance, Legal, Engineering, and external auditors to keep our control environment rigorous and effective. You’ll lead a team of SOX compliance professionals, drive continuous improvement across the program, and act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Audit Committee on control-related matters. This is a chance to shape how compliance is embedded across the business, balancing rigor, efficiency, and pragmatic decision-making at scale.
Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end execution of the annual SOX 404 compliance program, including scoping, risk assessment, control documentation, testing, and remediation
- Maintain and continuously improve the ICFR framework, including the design and operating effectiveness of key controls across financial reporting processes, in alignment with COSO 2013 and PCAOB standards
- Lead the SOX steering committee and serve as primary liaison with external auditors, presenting program status, risk findings, and remediation plans to senior leadership and the Audit Committee
- Direct control design, testing, and remediation efforts, applying professional judgment to evaluate the significance of deficiencies in accordance with AS 2201 and SEC guidance, and use AI tools to help streamline control documentation, issue tracking, and information synthesis while carefully validating outputs for accuracy and audit readiness
- Lead SOX integration activities for newly acquired entities, including legacy control assessment, gap analysis, and design of new controls aligned with our framework
- Oversee IT general control scoping and testing across key financial systems, partnering with IT and Engineering to ensure appropriate coverage
- Build, lead, and mentor a team of SOX compliance professionals, and manage co-source arrangements with third-party service providers
What It Takes to Catch Our Eye:
- 10+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, SOX compliance, or external audit, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Deep expertise in SOX 404 program management, including risk assessment, control design, and operating effectiveness testing under PCAOB standards, along with strong US GAAP knowledge
- Experience at a publicly traded company navigating integrated audits with external auditors, with demonstrated ability to communicate control findings to executive leadership
- Big 4 public accounting background with SEC registrant experience is strongly preferred; CPA is a huge plus
- Experience with technology, SaaS, or marketplace company business models and related financial reporting processes
- Hands-on experience with Oracle Fusion ERP and related SOX ITGC considerations
- Prior experience leading SOX integration workstreams for acquisitions
- CIA, CISA, or CFE certification is a plus
- Comfort using AI tools to support control documentation, summarize findings, and organize audit workpapers, paired with sound judgment about when outputs need closer human review
Come change how the world works.
At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 34 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.
Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.
We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.
Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.
Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.
Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances. The Company is committed to conducting an individualized assessment and giving all individuals a fair opportunity to provide relevant information or context before making any final employment decision.
We use BrightHire, an AI-enabled tool, to record interviews and summarize interview transcripts. The tool allows the interviewer to focus on the discussion and does not score or evaluate candidates or make recommendations. The interview transcripts are reviewed, and decisions are only made by humans. Candidates who prefer not to have their interview recorded through BrightHire can opt out when the interview is scheduled.
To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice.
The annual base salary range for this position is displayed below. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salary for this position, and individual base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Additionally, this position is eligible for the annual bonus plan or sales incentive plan and eligibility to participate in our long term equity incentive program.
Annual Base Compensation
$156,750—$245,000 USD
To learn more about how Upwork processes and protects your personal information as part of the application process, please review our Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice
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