Director, Internal Audit & SOX

Crinetics is a pharmaceutical company based in San Diego, California, developing much-needed therapies for people with endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. We were founded by a dedicated team of scientists with the simple belief that better therapies developed from rigorous innovation can lead to better lives. Our work continues to make a real difference in the lives of patients. We have a prolific discovery engine and a robust preclinical and clinical development pipeline. We are driven by science with a patient-centric and team-oriented culture. Crinetics is known for its inclusive workplace culture. We are also a dog-friendly workplace. This is an exciting time to join Crinetics as we shape our organization into the world’s premier fully-integrated endocrine company from discovery to patients. Join our team as we transform the lives of others.

Position Summary:

The Director of Internal Audit SOX is a senior-level position, reporting to the Vice President of Finance and is responsible for leading and managing the internal audit function to foster a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical conduct within the company. This individual will be pivotal in the transformation and expansion of the audit function to support the Company’s continuous growth and potential international expansion. This role requires significant professional experience in areas such as internal controls, compliance, risk management, internal audit, business process, IT general controls, including experience at a Big 4 accounting firm, and presenting to the Audit Committee. This person will work cross-functionally to help increase awareness around risk mitigation strategies and controls

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

These may include but are not limited to:

• Partner with Finance, Legal, IT, and other key stakeholders to ensure a strong control environment is embedded in new systems, processes, and business initiatives, including international operations.
• Oversee the annual SOX risk assessment and scoping process, ensuring alignment with evolving business risks and regulatory changes.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of SOX documentation, controls, and testing methodologies to support operational efficiency and compliance readiness.
• Prepare and deliver clear, executive-level reporting and insights to the Audit Committee and senior leadership, translating complex risks into actionable recommendations.
• Stay current on industry best practices, emerging risks, and regulatory developments to proactively adapt and evolve the compliance program.
• Foster a culture of accountability and controls awareness through training, communication, and engagement across all levels of the organization.
• Lead the evaluation process of identified deficiencies, provide recommendations for remediation and track the progress of remediation efforts.
• Serve as a risk advisory subject matter expert within Crinetics to maximize risk coverage while optimizing resources.
• Responsible for leading company-wide compliance programs and leading a team of internal resources and external consultants to ensure the successful execution of related projects.
• Work closely with external service providers to ensure work is performed efficiently and timely.
• Lead ad-hoc reviews, process improvement projects or other special projects as needed.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance audit effectiveness through technology, including the use of AI, automation, and data analytics to improve testing precision, risk detection, and overall audit scalability.
• Provide mentorship and career development opportunities to direct reports
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in related field.
• At least 12 years of internal audit and risk management experience, including Big 4 experience.
• 8 years of supervisory experience. 
• Active CPA or CIA.
• In-depth knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, internal control frameworks (e.g., COSO, COBIT), and PCAOB standards.
• Advanced understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Experience with ITGC audits, key reports testing, and flowcharts. 
• Experience managing or overseeing SOX programs at a public company.
• Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with senior executives, the audit committee, and external auditors.