We are a global climate technologies company engineered for sustainability. We create sustainable and efficient residential, commercial and industrial spaces through HVACR technologies. We protect temperature-sensitive goods throughout the cold chain. And we bring comfort to people globally. Best-in-class engineering, design and manufacturing combined with category-leading brands in compression, controls, software and monitoring solutions result in next-generation climate technology that is built for the needs of the world ahead.
Whether you are a professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring your first opportunity, or recent graduate with an advanced degree, we have opportunities that will allow you to innovate, be challenged and make an impact. Join our team and start your journey today!
Description
The Director of Compliance & Policy is a senior leadership role responsible for building and overseeing the company’s SOX compliance program and serving as the enterprise leader for accounting policy governance. This leader ensures the organization maintains a strong internal control environment, meets all SOX regulatory requirements, and operates with clear, current, and well‑governed policies. This role partners closely with Internal Audit, Finance, IT, Legal, and business process owners to establish a strong internal control environment, ensure compliance with SOX requirements, and maintain clear, accurate, and up‑to‑date accounting policies.
SOX Compliance Leadership
Own and manage the SOX 404 compliance program, including scoping, risk assessment, control design, documentation, remediation, and reporting
Lead a structured transition of certain SOX 404 program activities currently supported by Internal Audit (i.e. process narratives, flowcharts, RCM documentation, control owner inventory remediation follow-up, etc.), ensuring a clean handoff that restores Internal Audit independence
Oversee the SOX lifecycle, including annual planning, control design evaluation, documentation updates, remediation tracking, and reporting
Maintain SOX control documentation (process narratives, flowcharts, RCMs) and ensure timely updates by control owners
Coordinate with Internal Audit and work with control owners to develop and track remediation plans and expected completion dates as well as ensure timely remediation of any identified deficiencies
Review testing results provided by Internal Audit and assess deficiencies, including severity (deficiency, significant deficiency, material weakness), likelihood and impact, and aggregation of deficiencies across processes
Own and manage the SOX 302 sub-certification process, including coordinating with business unit and functional leaders to confirm the integrity of financial reporting controls on a quarterly basis
Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors for SOX-related matters
Monitor regulatory changes and emerging risks to ensure the SOX program remains aligned with best practices and evolving requirements
Provide regular reporting to executive leadership on SOX readiness, issues, and remediation progress
Accounting Policy Governance
Own the accounting policy framework, including drafting, updating, and publishing accounting policies in collaboration with policy owners and technical accounting leaders
Ensure accounting policies are aligned with U.S. GAAP, regulatory requirements, and industry standards
Maintain a centralized repository of accounting policies with appropriate version control and documentation
Drive the annual accounting policy review cycle and ensure timely updates
Provide guidance to Finance and business teams on the interpretation and application of accounting policies
Monitor changes in accounting standards and coordinate policy updates, communication and training as needed
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on internal controls, SOX readiness, and accounting policy matters
Partner with Finance, Internal Audit, IT, Legal, and business units to ensure alignment between controls, processes, and accounting policies
Support compliance-related assessments, investigations, and special projects as needed
Build strong relationships with external auditors and manage compliance audit-related communications
Team Leadership
Lead a high-performing compliance and accounting policy team
Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
Required education, experiences & skills:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
10+ years of audit and accounting experience from a combined external audit and public company environment
Deep knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC reporting requirements, and PCAOB auditing standards
Proven experience working directly with external auditors and executive leadership
Strong background in public company SOX compliance requirements, accounting, and finance processes, including a solid understanding of the concepts of control design and operational efficiency
Familiarity with financial systems as they relate to reviewing and improving internal controls
Prior experience leading teams, including improving and reinforcing performance in others and facilitating their skill development by providing clear, specific performance feedback
A customer focused mindset to help business process owners navigate the SOX program, especially with non-accounting business partners
Preferred education, experiences & skills:
AuditBoard, Oracle and OneStream experience preferred
Professional certification including CPA or CIA
Experience with global operations and complex legal structures
Big 4 experience
Strong technical accounting knowledge, including US GAAP topics relevant to a public company (close and consolidation, tax, treasury, stock compensation, etc.)
Interest in or experience applying AI and automation to compliance and audit processes
A customer focused mindset to help business process owners navigate the SOX program, especially with non-accounting business partners
Why Work in St. Louis, Missouri
Our facility is located in St. Louis, famous for its Gateway Arch standing at 630 feet tall. St. Louis is a family-friendly, historic metropolitan area with a low cost of living and first-class schools. The city offers excellent restaurants, shopping areas, art galleries, and numerous festivals throughout the year, making this an exciting place to live and work.
About Our Location
Our location is the host of Copeland’s corporate headquarters. Our products have become household names that support the comfort and well-being of our customers. The employees at this location provide support to the various businesses within the platform, allowing for many networking opportunities across businesses.
Collaboration First Hybrid Work Arrangements :
This role is hybrid eligible with the requirement to be in office at least three days per week. Colleagues are expected to demonstrate a collaboration first mindset, which is the understanding that teams will work together in-person and colleagues should be flexible to adjust their hybrid days based on business needs. You will have an opportunity to work with your team and leader to determine when you should be in office to drive meaningful connections and to best serve our customers.
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Our Commitment to Our People
Across the globe, we are united by a singular Purpose: Sustainability is no small ambition. That’s why everything we do is geared toward a sustainable future—for our generation and all those to come. Through groundbreaking innovations, HVACR technology and cold chain solutions, we are reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in spaces of all sizes, from residential to commercial to industrial.
Our employees are our greatest strength. We believe that our culture of passion, openness, and collaboration empowers us to work toward the same goal - to make the world a better place. We invest in the end-to-end development of our people, beginning at onboarding and through senior leadership, so they can thrive personally and professionally.
Flexible and competitive benefits plans offer the right options to meet your individual/family needs: medical insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) and more. We provide employees with flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave, vacation and holiday leave.
Together, we have the opportunity – and the power – to continue to revolutionize the technology behind air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, and cultivate a better future. Learn more about us and how you can join our team!
Our Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging
At Copeland, we cultivate a strong sense of inclusion and belonging where individuals of all backgrounds, and with diverse perspectives, are embraced and treated fairly to enable a stronger workforce. Our employee resource groups play an important role in culture and community building at Copeland.
Copeland will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 with OPT or CPT, H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Copeland is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.
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