Senior Director, Internal Controls in Schaumburg, Illinois at Wheels, Inc.

Wheels, Inc.

Location: Schaumburg, IL | Alpharetta, GA
Posted on: Posted 4 Days Ago
Time Type: Full time
Requisition ID: R5331

Job Description:

JOB OVERVIEW

The Senior Director of Internal Controls will lead the design, implementation and ongoing effectiveness of a comprehensive internal controls framework across Finance, Operations, and Technology. This role is critical in strengthening governance, mitigating risk, and enhancing transparency across a complex, high-volume transaction environment.

This leader will build and manage a small, high-performing team responsible for creating a full inventory of controls, evaluating effectiveness, and partnering with business leaders to embed sustainable processes. The role also has ownership of key risk management and monitoring strategies, including preventative and detective controls.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Internal Controls Framework
  • Lead the development of a comprehensive inventory of internal controls across all major business processes
  • Design and implement a scalable controls framework aligned with company growth and complexity
  • Establish standards for control documentation, testing, and ongoing monitoring
  • Partner with Finance, Operations, and IT leaders to ensure controls are embedded into day-to-day processes

• Risk Management & Control Effectiveness
  • Design and oversee preventative and detective controls that reduce exposure to financial and operational risk
  • Partner with functional leadership to support fact-based response processes when control breakdowns occur
  • Strengthen monitoring, escalation, and governance mechanisms aligned to the company’s risk profile
  • Reinforce a strong culture of ethics, accountability, and control ownership across the organization
  • Conduct enterprise-wide risk assessments to identify key financial, operational, and technology risks
  • Prioritize control enhancements based on risk exposure and business impact
  • Support external audit requirements and ensure readiness for compliance reviews

• Team Leadership
  • Build, lead, and mentor a team responsible for controls design, documentation, and testing
  • Develop risk-based testing plans focused on control design and operating effectiveness
  • Translate testing results into clear, executive-level insights and prioritized recommendations
  • Track remediation actions to closure and assess post-remediation effectiveness
  • Drive accountability and continuous improvement
  • Foster a collaborative, business-partnering mindset within the team
  • Process Improvement & Transformation
  • Identify opportunities to streamline processes while strengthening controls
  • Leverage technology and automation to improve control effectiveness and efficiency
  • Support broader transformation initiatives (e.g., ERP implementations, system integrations)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Number of Direct Reports: 1

Number of Indirect Reports: 10-12

Leadership Responsibilities Strategy

COMPETENCIES - SKILLS

• Improve visibility into risks and control effectiveness

• Strong partnerships with business leaders and auditors

• A well-designed, clearly owned internal control environment embedded into core business processes

• Measurable improvement in control effectiveness, consistency, and risk transparency

• Reduction in control breakdowns, rework, and reactive issue management

• Actionable, trusted insights provided regularly to senior leadership

• A controls function viewed as a value-adding business partner, not an oversight body

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA, CIA, or equivalent preferred)

• 15+ years of experience in accounting / controllership, internal audit, internal controls, risk management, or related functions

• Big Four public accounting or equivalent experience with enterprise-wide control assessments and transformation initiatives strongly preferred

• Experience in complex, asset-heavy, or transaction-intensive environments (leasing, financial services, or similar industries preferred)

• Proven experience building or transforming an internal controls framework

• Strong understanding of SOX or SOX-like control environments (even if not formally required)

• Demonstrated experience in designing and operating preventative and detective controls in high-risk environments

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

• Ability to operate strategically while also driving execution

CORE VALUES

At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth.

• Integrity – Always act with integrity and honesty.
• One Team – Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference.
• Innovation – Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking.
• Customer Success – Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES

At Wheels, leaders are expected to model and champion our cultural attributes through their actions:

• Discipline Drives Quality – Plan the Trip: Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.
• Intellectually Curious – Fuel Your Minds: Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.
• Commit and Deliver – Own It: Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.
• Relationships Matter – Share the Ride: Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment: This position is in Schaumburg, Ill or Alpharetta, GA and operates in a professional office environment

Positions Type/Standard Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday, works onsite 3 days a week

Travel: Travel is expected for this position as needed

Physical Demands: The level and duration of physical exertion generally required to perform critical tasks in support of critical job functions, for example - sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing, and pulling.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Our Benefits

Wheels recognizes benefits are a significant part of your employee experience, and we've created a robust benefits package that is market-leading, competitive offerings so you and your family can receive outstanding care. Please click here for an overview of the benefits available to you and your family.

Pay Range:

$157,100-$219,900

The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including job function, level, and geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience, education, certifications, skill level and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed here.

EEO Statement
Wheels is a Drug-Free Workplace. All employment is contingent on successful completion of drug and background screening.

Wheels is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law. Wheels is committed to taking affirmative steps to promote the employment and advancement of minorities, women, persons with disabilities and protected veterans.

Wheels Is Committed to Making Our Organization One of the Best Places to Work

As one of the largest fleet management companies in North America, Wheels features a portfolio of 900,000+ vehicles under management across the continent, a global alliance in 61 countries, and a client base that consists of some of the best-known businesses in the world. No matter the industry type or business size, we’re proud to work across sales and service fleets, trucks and equipment, and last mile delivery to ensure we power your potential.

The culture at Wheels is the secret to our 80+ years of success. And the reason people choose to join — and stay with — our team.

When you join the team, you'll work with professionals who are passionate, friendly and smart. We foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, combined with the encouragement to continuously learn and grow. From day one, we invest in your long-term development through annual performance goals and reviews, educational and wellness programs, awards and celebrations, and more.

Ready to experience the Wheels culture for yourself?

• 10 years average employee tenure

• 10 times recognized as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

• 50+ health, wellness and engagement benefits

• 2,500+ online learning programs

Wheels is Invested in the Well-being of the Community and the World We Inhabit

Diversity: Wheels deeply values the strength of diversity both in the communities we serve and our own employee base. This includes treating everyone as equal, respecting and valuing diversity, providing equal opportunity and fostering a safe space to work.

Community: We are heavily involved in the communities where we operate. We offer opportunities for employees to make a positive impact through mentorship and tutoring elementary school students, participating in blood drives, donating to United Way and other charitable organizations in the greater Chicagoland and Toronto areas.

Sustainability: Wheels is actively committed to becoming a cleaner fleet management company through recycling programs, public transportation support and more.

We Are Dedicated to the Safety and Health of our Employees

Our employees are critical to delivering on our commitment to client success, which is why we offer a variety of programs focused on the health and wellness of our people.

Wheels Fosters More Than Just Work Relationships

We hire people who have a customer-focused mindset and a strong collaborative nature. Because at Wheels, customer service and teamwork don't just happen in the office. It is during the informal moments when employee trust is strengthened and friendships are made. We value these moments, which is why we host departmental contests, summer gatherings, family events, holiday celebrations and more.

At Wheels, your well-being is our priority. As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we’re proud to offer access to the Advocate Health Care Wellness Portal—a personalized platform designed to help you take charge of your health journey.

The 2026 Wellness Program is designed to support you in achieving your personal health goals. Best of all, it’s flexible and fits into your busy lifestyle.

This program is designed to support your overall well-being—physically, emotionally, and financially—by providing tools and incentives that encourage healthy living.