Director of Internal Control

About Mistral

At Mistral AI, we believe in the power of AI to simplify tasks, save time, and enhance learning and creativity. Our technology is designed to integrate seamlessly into daily working life.

We democratize AI through high-performance, optimized, open-source and cutting-edge models, products and solutions. Our comprehensive AI platform is designed to meet enterprise as well as personal needs. Our offerings include Le Chat, AI Studio, Mistral Code and Mistral Compute — a suite that brings frontier intelligence to end-users.

We are a dynamic, collaborative team passionate about AI and its potential to transform society. Our diverse workforce thrives in competitive environments and is committed to driving innovation. Our teams are distributed between France, USA, UK, Germany and Singapore. We are creative, low-ego and team-spirited.

Join us to be part of a pioneering company shaping the future of AI. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. See more about our culture on https://mistral.ai/careers.

Role Summary

This role offers a unique opportunity to build Mistral AI’s Internal Control function from the ground up, ensuring financial integrity, compliance, and strategic agility as we scale. As our Director of Internal Control, you will design and deploy a COSO-aligned framework, embed controls into critical processes (e.g., procurement, payroll, subsidiary oversight), and automate monitoring using AI/ML tools. Reporting directly to the SVP Finance, you will collaborate with Legal, CISO, and business units to foster a culture of accountability and risk mitigation across our global entities. Your work will directly safeguard Mistral’s high-stakes growth, preparing us for future milestones.

What you will do

•  Design and Deploy Internal Controls:

• Build a risk-based internal control system from the ground up, covering financial, operational, and compliance areas. Ensure alignment with Mistral’s rapid growth and global operations.
•   Integrate Controls into Processes:
• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Engineering, and HR to embed controls into key workflows (e.g., supplier approvals, cash management, datacenter operations). Train teams to adopt and maintain these processes effectively.
•   Automate and Optimize Controls:
• Leverage ERP systems and AI/ML tools to automate manual controls, develop dashboards, and enhance real-time monitoring.
•   Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
• Partner with Legal and CISO to build a company-wide risk matrix, identifying high-risk areas (e.g., cloud costs, data privacy) and defining remediation protocols.
•   External Audits and Compliance:
• Coordinate audits to ensure readiness for regulatory reviews and investor due diligence. Stay updated on evolving standards to guide leadership and teams.
•   Team Leadership and Culture:
• Build and manage a high-impact internal control team, fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and accountability. Address retention challenges in a competitive market.
•   Documentation and Reporting:
• Maintain control documentation, evaluate testing results, and escalate gaps to leadership. Monitor remediation efforts and report on control effectiveness.

Who you are:

• Internal Control Expert:

• You have a strong background in internal control and audit, with experience either:
• Building a control function from scratch, or
• Playing a key role in a growing internal control team (e.g., in tech, scale-ups, or highly regulated environments).
• You’re comfortable with COSO frameworks, risk identification, and process design, with a hands-on and pragmatic approach.
• Collaborative and Influential:
• A clear communicator who translates complex risks into actionable solutions for non-finance stakeholders. You build trust by listening, influencing, and delivering results, balancing rigor with empathy.
• Problem-Solver and Builder:
• You thrive in dynamic environments, proactively improving processes and challenging the status quo. Your mindset is solution-oriented, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Tech-Savvy and Adaptable:
• Familiarity with ERP systems, data-driven tools (e.g., Python/SQL), or AI-driven automation is a plus. You adapt controls to Mistral’s unique business model and global scale.
• Global and Inclusive Leader:
• Fluency in French and English is required. You’ll work across 15+ subsidiaries, ensuring consistency while adapting to local needs.

What we offer:

💰 Competitive cash salary and equity

🥕 Daily lunch vouchers: Swile meal vouchers with 10,83€ per worked day, incl 60% offered by the company 🥎 Sport: Enjoy discounted access to gyms and fitness studios through our Wellpass partnership 🚴 Transportation: Monthly contribution to a mobility pass via Betterway 🧑‍⚕️ Health: Full health insurance for you and your family 🍼 Parental: Generous parental leave policy 🌎 Visa sponsorship 🤝 Coaching: We offer BetterUp coaching on a voluntary basis

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