Senior Manager, External Reporting & Compliance

About the role

Senior Manager, SEC Reporting and Internal Controls

About the Position

Merlin is actively building a critical leadership position within its Finance organization to manage the complete lifecycle of its public company reporting obligations. The successful candidate will be instrumental in establishing and maintaining the robust internal control environment required for a growing, regulated public company. This role is responsible for the end-to-end preparation, review, and filing of all SEC mandated periodic reports, including the 10-K and 10-Q. The position will directly own the design, execution, and assessment of SOX compliance controls, ensuring financial disclosures are accurate, reliable, and delivered on schedule.

This is a foundational role created within a recently restructured public company. The hire will work at the center of key finance functions, translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable procedures. The focus will be on developing scalable processes that safeguard the integrity of financial information. Success in this role requires a proactive approach to coordinating with various internal stakeholders and external partners. The position offers the opportunity to build a compliance program from the ground up, shaping the standards and controls that define best-in-class public company governance.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Manager will architect and execute the standard procedures for SEC reporting, establishing a repeatable and reliable methodology for financial disclosure. This involves creating intake protocols to validate source data and define the specific metrics required for all reporting activities before the preparation phase begins. A core function of this position is the development of comprehensive control documentation, creating detailed mappings of processes and their associated evidence to meet stringent SOX mandates.

The role requires a thorough review of trial balances and all adjusting entries to identify and resolve anomalies prior to the finalization of any financial reporting. The manager will coordinate the entire reporting calendar, aligning timelines and dependencies across the legal, tax, and investor relations departments to ensure the punctual submission of all filings. This includes initiating and managing relationships with external auditors, facilitating the exchange of workpapers and testing results to provide clear compliance status.

Ensuring the accuracy of the company's financial reporting infrastructure is another core duty. The manager will oversee the integration of new chart of accounts structures, verifying dimensional accuracy to support consolidated reporting. This involves owning the testing of internal controls, performing transaction tracing to certify that all established policies are executed correctly and consistently. Maintaining a current understanding of evolving SEC regulations is essential, requiring the interpretation of new guidance and the subsequent adjustment of workflows to maintain continuous compliance.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related discipline. A minimum of three years of progressive experience in a relevant field is mandatory. This experience must include hands-on preparation of SEC filings such as the 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K within a public company environment.

A deep understanding of SOX control frameworks is required, including a practical knowledge of testing methodologies and the documentation standards that govern them. The ideal candidate will demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, capable of navigating intricate financial models and complex reconciliations with a high degree of precision. Exceptional communication skills are necessary to effectively convey technical financial concepts to both accounting professionals and non-financial stakeholders across the organization.

The ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously is essential. The candidate must thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced setting, consistently maintaining accuracy and attention to detail even when facing tight deadlines and significant pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with enterprise workstream management platforms, such as Workiva, is highly desirable for managing and organizing documentation efficiently. A proven track record of implementing and managing SOX programs in a public company setting is considered a significant advantage. Familiarity with the specific nuances of the aerospace and defense industry would support a rapid onboarding and effective contribution.

Tools and Skills

The position requires expertise in Microsoft Excel, a thorough understanding of SOX compliance, and comprehensive knowledge of the 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K filing processes. Proficiency with the SEC regulatory framework and the use of Workiva or similar submission platforms is essential for success in this role.