Director, Internal Audit and Controls

About Legence
Legence (Nasdaq: LGN) is a leading provider of engineering, consulting, installation, and maintenance services for mission-critical systems in buildings. The company specializes in designing, fabricating, and installing complex HVAC, process piping, and other mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems—enhancing energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in new and existing facilities. Legence also delivers long-term performance through strategic upgrades and holistic solutions. Serving some of the world’s most technically demanding sectors, Legence counts over 60% of the Nasdaq-100 Index among its clients.

Job Summary

The Director, Internal Audit and Controls will lead the development and maturation of the company’s internal audit function and control environment. Reporting to senior leadership, this role will serve as the primary liaison with our third-party advisors and accounting team to design, implement, and strengthen risk management, SOX compliance, and internal controls during our initial build-out phase.

This is a rare opportunity to create a world-class internal audit program from the ground up, initially leveraging co-sourced execution with external advisors, and eventually transitioning to greater in-house ownership as the function scales.

Salary Range: $190,000 - 225,000

Key Responsibilities

• Partner directly with external advisors, accounting leadership, and business stakeholders to build and document a comprehensive internal control framework, including SOX 404 processes.
• Serve as the primary internal liaison, coordinating audit planning, execution, and remediation efforts with external advisors and cross-functional teams.
• Lead the design and implementation of risk assessment processes, control testing programs, and audit methodologies tailored to our business needs.
• Support co-sourced internal audit execution during the initial phase, overseeing scope, fieldwork, reporting, and management action plans.
• Identify control gaps, recommend practical remediation strategies, and drive accountability for timely closure across the organization.
• Develop standardized audit tools, templates, reporting structures, and performance metrics to create a scalable foundation.
• Build relationships with business leaders to foster a strong control culture and embed risk management into daily operations.
• Prepare executive reporting, including audit findings, control effectiveness metrics, and progress against the build-out roadmap.
• Plan for the future evolution of the function, including talent acquisition and transition from co-sourced to in-house execution.
• Stay current on emerging regulations, best practices, and industry trends to ensure the program remains forward-looking.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in internal audit, risk management, or controls at a public company — direct responsibility for owning and executing SOX compliance and internal audit programs (Big 4 advisory experience followed by industry transition is a plus).
• Proven track record owning SOX 404 compliance programs at a public company, including control design, testing, and remediation.
• Strong understanding of risk-based auditing, COSO framework, and SOX 404 requirements.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing senior executives and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Experience

• Experience as a Senior Manager or Director reporting to a Head of Internal Audit at a public company, ready to step into broader ownership.
• CPA, CIA, or equivalent certification.
• Experience working effectively with external advisors in a co-sourced or outsourced audit model.
• Direct experience leading control environment build-outs or internal audit function transformations.
• Background in industries with complex operations, field services, or regulated environments.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and creating structure where none exists.
• Strategic thinker who can balance tactical execution with long-term program design.

Houston candidates strongly preferred given concentration of public company internal audit talent and our new office opening next month. This role is ideal for a high-performing internal audit leader who thrives in greenfield environments and wants to shape a function from inception. The successful candidate will bring technical depth, relationship-building skills, and the vision to create a scalable program that evolves from co-sourced execution to full in-house capability.

Location: Remote/Hybrid (Houston candidates strongly preferred)
Travel: Up to 25% as needed

#LI-CC1 #LI-Remote 

Benefits Overview
401(k) Plan with Company Match: Currently match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of eligible pay; immediate vesting. 
Health & Welfare Benefits: Employer provided medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, Employee Assistance Program and accident & illness coverage. 
Life and Disability Insurance: Employer provided basic life insurance and AD&D valued at 50K coverage amount with the option for voluntary buy up for additional coverage.
Time Off: Flexible non-accrual vacation; company holidays per policy. (For California employees, this is separate from California paid sick leave, if applicable.)
Expenses: Business travel and related expenses reimbursed per company policy.

Reasonable Accommodations
If you need assistance or accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at ta@wearelegence.com or your dedicated recruiter with the job title and requisition number.

Employment Eligibility
Candidates must have current work authorization in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Third-Party Recruiting Disclaimer
Legence and its affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies; any such submissions without a prior signed agreement authorized by Legence Holdings LLC's CHRO or Director of Talent Acquisition will not incur fees and are considered property of Legence.

Pay Disclosure & Considerations
Where pay ranges are indicated, please note that a successful candidate’s exact pay will be determined based relevant job-related factors, including any of the following: candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, as well as geographic and market considerations.  We are committed to ensuring fair and competitive compensation for all employees and comply with all applicable salary transparency laws. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Legence and its affiliate companies are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital or familial status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, other non-merit-based factors, and any other characteristic protected under applicable local, state or federal laws and regulations.
EEO is the Law