Head of SOX and Internal Controls

Ready to be pushed beyond what you think you’re capable of? At Coinbase, our mission is to increase economic freedom in the world. It’s a massive, ambitious opportunity that demands the best of us, every day, as we build the emerging onchain platform — and with it, the future global financial system. To achieve our mission, we’re seeking a very specific candidate. We want someone who is passionate about our mission and who believes in the power of crypto and blockchain technology to update the financial system. We want someone who is eager to leave their mark on the world, who relishes the pressure and privilege of working with high caliber colleagues, and who actively seeks feedback to keep leveling up. We want someone who will run towards, not away from, solving the company’s hardest problems. Our work culture is intense and isn’t for everyone. But if you want to build the future alongside others who excel in their disciplines and expect the same from you, there’s no better place to be. While many roles at Coinbase are remote-first, we are not remote-only. In-person participation is required throughout the year. Team and company-wide offsites are held multiple times annually to foster collaboration, connection, and alignment. Attendance is expected and fully supported. The SOX Business Controls Leader is responsible for designing, leading, and continuously enhancing the company's SOX business process control environment across all in‑scope entities and processes. This role acts as the enterprise owner for SOX business process controls, partnering closely with Finance, Accounting, Operations, Product, Engineering, Risk, and Internal Audit to ensure a robust, efficient, and scalable control framework that supports a high‑growth, highly regulated environment. What you’ll be doing (ie. job duties): Own the SOX Business Controls Framework Define and maintain the enterprise SOX business process control framework, including scoping, risk assessment, control design standards, and documentation requirements. Ensure alignment of the SOX program with evolving business activities, new products, system changes, and external regulatory expectations. Lead End‑to‑End SOX Program for Business Processes. Oversee annual SOX risk assessment, scoping, and materiality determinations for business processes. Lead the design and implementation of key and non‑key business controls, including manual, automated, and IT‑dependent controls. Drive timely remediation of control deficiencies, including the design and implementation of sustainable corrective actions. Partner Across Finance, Operations, and Technology Collaborate with Controllership, FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Operations, Compliance, Legal, and Engineering to embed effective controls into end‑to‑end processes (order‑to‑cash, procure‑to‑pay, record‑to‑report, revenue, digital asset flows, etc.). Influence product and system design to "build in" controls and auditability from the outset, minimizing manual workarounds. Coordinate with Internal and External Auditors - Serve as the primary business controls liaison with Internal Audit and external auditors for SOX business process testing, walkthroughs, and evidence requests. Align on testing strategies, reliance on management testing, and expectations for control operation and documentation. Drive Continuous Improvement and Automation - Identify opportunities to streamline, standardize, and automate controls, reducing operational friction while maintaining control effectiveness. Champion data‑driven monitoring and analytics to enhance control precision and early‑issue detection. Leadership, Governance, and Communication - Provide regular updates on SOX status, key risks, and remediation progress to senior leadership (e.g., CAO, CFO, Audit Committee support). Establish governance forums and routines for control owners and process owners, including training, playbooks, and guidance. Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing SOX business controls team (and/or influence a matrixed virtual team across the organization). Demonstrates the ability to responsibly use generative AI tools and copilots (e.g., LibreChat, Gemini, Glean) in daily workflows, continuously learn as tools evolve, and apply human-in-the-loop practices to deliver business-ready outputs and drive measurable improvements in efficiency, cost, and quality. What we look for in you (ie. job requirements): 13+ years of progressive experience in SOX, internal controls, internal audit, or risk management, with significant exposure to public company environments. Strong technical understanding of SOX 404, PCAOB standards, COSO framework, and best practices for business process control design and testing. Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale SOX or controls programs and managing complex cross‑functional initiatives. Proven ability to work effectively with senior leaders (CFO, CAO, Controller, Head of Internal Audit, business and product leaders) and to influence without direct authority. Deep experience with core finance and operational processes (e.g., revenue recognition, financial reporting, procurement, disbursements, payroll, digital asset movement and safeguarding, etc.). Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex control concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non‑experts. Professional certification such as CPA, CA, CIA, CISA, or CRMA. Experience in high‑growth, technology‑driven or financial services / crypto / fintech companies. Familiarity with ERP systems and subledgers, workflow tools, and control automation technologies (e.g., RPA, data analytics, continuous control monitoring). Experience managing or implementing SOX in multi‑jurisdictional or multi‑entity global environments. Leadership Competencies Strategic mindset: Ability to design a long‑term SOX and controls roadmap that scales with the business. Operational excellence: Drives disciplined execution, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes. Change leadership: Comfortable operating in ambiguity, leading change, and building new capabilities. Talent builder: Attracts, develops, and retains high‑performing controls and risk talent. Position ID: (P76709) Pay Transparency Notice: Depending on your work location, the target annual base salary for this position can range as detailed below. Total compensation may also include equity and bonus eligibility and benefits (including medical, dental, vision and 401(k)). Annual base salary range (excluding equity and bonus): $205,785—$242,100 USD Please be advised that each candidate may submit a maximum of four applications within any 30-day period. We encourage you to carefully evaluate how your skills and interests align with Coinbase's roles before applying. Commitment to Equal Opportunity Coinbase is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation or any other basis protected by applicable law. Coinbase will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. For US applicants, you may view the Employee Rights and the Know Your Rights notices by clicking on their corresponding links. Additionally, Coinbase participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Coinbase is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact us at accommodations[at]coinbase.com to let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here). Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and Applicants Depending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required. For US applicants only, by submitting your application you are agreeing to arbitration of disputes as outlined here. AI Disclosure For select roles, Coinbase is piloting an AI tool based on machine learning technologies to conduct initial screening interviews to qualified applicants. The tool simulates realistic interview scenarios and engages in dynamic conversation. A human recruiter will review your interview responses, provided in the form of a voice recording and/or transcript, to assess them against the qualifications and characteristics outlined in the job description. For select roles, Coinbase is also piloting an AI interview intelligence platform to transcribe and summarize interview notes, allowing our interviewers to fully focus on you as the candidate. The above pilots are for testing purposes and Coinbase will not use AI to make decisions impacting employment. To request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, please contact accommodations[at]coinbase.com