Finance Risk and Control Specialist

Unilever Prestige – Finance Risk and Control Specialist, SOX Compliance

Are you an ambitious professional looking for exciting challenges in the finance area? Are you ready to have a meaningful impact on multiple companies in a global role? Would you love to accept the challenge of creating the foundation of risk and control areas for fast-growing companies under the Unilever prestige division? Would you like the opportunity to master and use new technologies in the finance area? Are you interested in working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and global environment?

This position provides a great opportunity to gain valuable experience at Dermalogica and later the wider Unilever Prestige division that consists of nine companies worldwide: Dermalogica, Murad, Kate Somerville, Ren, Living Proof, Hourglass, Garancia, Tatcha, and most recently Paula`s Choice, which was acquired in June 2021. Six of these companies are based in the Los Angeles area, along with Dollar Shave Club, another Unilever subsidiary.

This is a great opportunity to join a growing and thriving finance community at Dermalogica and Unilever Prestige division, an exciting and supportive learning environment with future career opportunities.  

The position is based out of the Dermalogica corporate headquarters in Carson, CA with applicable hybrid back to work guidelines.

General Description:

The current Unilever prestige division includes 9 acquired companies that operate independently under the Unilever umbrella.  The companies are small to mid-sized and exist in a very dynamic business environment. They have high growth rates, diverse business and channel distribution models, a significant DTC footprint, and small and lean teams. Most of them have gone through major transformation projects recently, such as new ERP implementation and joint venture market expansions. In this environment, it is crucial to ensure we have strong financial risk management through clever controls, without over-burdening these smaller fast-growing businesses, while making sure that internal and external compliance standards are met.

The candidate will be responsible for leading risk assessment and reviewing internal control processes from the perspectives of both design and operational effectiveness with a focus on efficiencies. Through this review process, they will first identify gaps, then remediate them through the development of scalable automated solutions. Secondly, the candidate will work with the central Unilever team to improve the current risk management framework for acquired businesses, improving productivity and efficiency while making sure that compliance standards are met.

Starting in 2022, these acquired companies will be part of Unilever’s Financial Controls Audit process based on the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance requirements. In the future, they will be included in the external controls audit scope managed by KPMG. Recognizing that the companies are first-time passengers on the SOX journey, the candidate will be responsible for evaluating the enterprises, and building and leading an ongoing compliance plan.

The role is based in Los Angeles, Carson at Dermalogica Global headquarters. In the first 6-12 months the role will focus almost solely on Dermalogica. Chief responsibilities will be 1) leading the preparation for Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance, and 2) supporting smaller and less mature Dermalogica subsidiaries, including through designing, implementing, and testing financial controls.

In the subsequent phase, the role will extend to other acquired companies, with the goal of building the foundation of their financial controls/Sox compliance based on the experience at and lessons from Dermalogica.

Responsibilities:

The candidate will lead and support all phases of compliance projects and financial and operational audits for Dermalogica and other Unilever Prestige subsidiaries, including risk assessment, planning, scoping, execution, and reporting. The role requires effective business partnering skills and continuous collaboration with process owners to ensure proper documentation of all policies and procedures. The successful candidate will continuously challenge the status quo to enhance controls, procedures, methodologies, and best practices.

The candidate will lead the implementation of SOX activities for business processes. He or she will be fully responsible for drafting and executing a roadmap outlining the necessary steps for successful SOX compliance, including setting up SOX processes and documentation requirements, managing SOX testing, and leading remediation activities.

The ideal candidate always has an eye for opportunities to automate and simplify work that is currently performed manually. They are continuously looking for opportunities for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.  The role requires an open mindset about learning and using new technologies to improve efficiencies and functionality: specific examples include utilizing modern accounting platforms like Blackline and automating manual controls through Robotic Process Automation tools like UiPath or Power Automate.

Given the small and lean teams in this business, the role also requires a hands-on attitude, and will include being closely involved in setting up, managing, and testing processes, as well as providing clear directions to the team, and helping them run processes effectively or solve backlogs in a timely manner

Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance. Either qualified CPA or part qualified.
• Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience with SOX and risk/financial control management.
• Courage to challenge established norms in a constructive way and drive change.
• Passion for learning and development.
• Ability to be objective and calm in high-pressure situations.

Full COVID vaccination required for this position, and proof of vaccination is required prior to start date. Dermalogica, LLC complies with federal, state, and local laws with respect to accommodations to this policy.

Apply now and become a team member for a company that provides competitive compensation, outstanding benefits including Health Benefits, Monthly Product Allowances, Profit Sharing, Annual Fitness Reimbursement, Domestic Partner Benefits, 401(k) Matching, not to mention a host of other perks.

To be considered for this role, please complete your online application. Please know that all applications are reviewed for consideration. A member of the Human Resources team will contact you if your experience and skills are a match for the position.

Dermalogica is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.