Director, IT Audit

Title: Director, IT Audit

Location: San Mateo United States

Job Description:

Company Description

Company Description

Organizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of "solutions" that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done.

There's another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.

At Freshworks, we build uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional customer and employee experiences. Our enterprise-grade solutions are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, making employees more effective and organizations more productive. Over 72,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks' customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) software to fuel customer loyalty and service efficiency. And, over 4,500 Freshworks employees make this possible, all around the world.

Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Job Description

Freshworks is seeking an experienced and visionary Director, IT Audit to lead our global IT audit team and build a next-generation technology-enabled audit function. In this role, you will be accountable for designing and driving the IT SOX program, overseeing risk-based IT audit initiatives, and partnering with executives across Technology, Security, Finance, and Business Operations to strengthen our global control environment.

You will serve as the primary liaison to senior leadership and the Audit Committee on IT risk, SOX compliance, and IT governance, while building a high-performing team that delivers measurable impact. This role offers visibility at the highest levels of the organization and requires a balance of strategic foresight, technical expertise, and hands-on leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Enterprise Leadership

• Define and execute the multi-year IT audit and SOX strategy aligned with enterprise objectives, regulatory expectations, and emerging risks.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives on IT governance, risk, and compliance

SOX Program Ownership

• Lead the global IT SOX lifecycle (scoping, risk assessment, control evaluation, testing, remediation, reporting).
• Ensure effective integration of IT SOX requirements into system implementations, ERP projects, and key digital transformation initiatives.

Audit Execution & Risk Management

• Oversee all IT audit engagements, including cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, AI systems, and data governance.
• Anticipate risks associated with new technologies and business models, and design proactive control strategies.
• Develop and implement technology strategies within Internal Audit, namely automation, analytics, and AI.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with IT, Security, Engineering, and Business Unit leaders, as well as external auditors and regulators.
• Provide clear, executive-ready reporting of IT audit findings, risk trends, and remediation progress.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a global team of IT audit professionals. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. m
• Sponsor professional development, certification, and succession planning within the Internal Audit function.

Please note this is a hybrid role with onsite expectations of 3x/week (Tuesday - Thursday) from our San Mateo HQ.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive IT audit and risk management experience, with at least 6 years in a leadership role
• Proven experience leading global SOX IT programs, preferably within a fast-growing SaaS or technology environment
• Prior Big Four or large consulting firm experience strongly preferred
• Professional certification(s): CISA, CIA, CISSP, or equivalent
• Strong technical knowledge spanning software development, cloud platforms, IT infrastructure, data security, and cybersecurity frameworks
• Experience applying and interpreting frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, and COSO
• Ability to influence and present effectively at the C-Suite and Audit Committee level
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Additional Information

The annual base salary range for this position is $190,500 - $273,000. This role is also eligible for a target bonus.

Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level. Bonus/equity may be available.

Freshworks offers multiple options for dental, medical, vision, disability and life insurances. Equity + ESPP, flexible PTO, flexible spending, commuter benefits and wellness benefits are also offered. Freshworks also offers adoption and parental leave benefits.

At Freshworks, we are creating a global workplace that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer work environment that advances the goals of our employees, communities and the business.