Risk Management - Independence Director - Permanent

The UK Independence team is part of the EY UK Risk Management (RM) function and is a key component of the firm’s System of Quality Management. The team supports compliance with Independence requirements across all service lines and the wider business, enabling client‑serving teams and EY UK Leadership to make well‑informed decisions and bring services to market in a compliant and responsible manner.

To meet growing demand from the business for Independence advice amid increasingly complex regulatory requirements and operating environment, the team is evolving toward a more business‑aligned operating model, creating an opportunity for a new Director to join the team.

This is an opportunity to join the UK Independence team at a senior level, with responsibility for overseeing high‑profile and business‑critical Independence matters. As a Director, you will partner with the business in interpreting and applying Independence requirements across a range of complex scenarios, navigate differing regulatory expectations, and advise on how services can be structured in a compliant and practical manner. You will lead a business‑aligned Independence team and work closely with Service Line Leadership, Quality teams, Professional Practice, and client‑serving partners to deliver timely, commercially informed advice that protects the firm’s compliance.

The role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of the business‑aligned Independence operating model, embedding strong accountability, effective ways of working, and continuous improvement across the function.

Your core responsibilities will include applying your expert knowledge of the business and Independence requirements in:

• Advising the business on the application of Independence requirements and regulatory expectations, including identifying and assessing risks, as well as options to resolve these to maintain compliance.
• Providing guidance on structuring services in a compliant, practical, and commercially informed manner.
• Contributing to design of effective safeguards to support responsible service delivery.
• Leading oversight of high‑profile, business‑critical Independence matters across complex scenarios.
• Ensuring Independence advice is sound, timely, well‑governed, and appropriately documented.
• Acting as an expert Independence advisor to senior stakeholders, including Service Line leadership, as well as partnering with Quality, Professional Practice, and client‑serving teams to protect firm compliance.
• Leading in difficult conversations, while maintaining confidence, transparency and trust.
• Overseeing regulatory engagement, including information requests, breach reporting, and regulatory inquiries.
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including through proposing credible options, influencing appropriately and reaching solutions that protect compliance with Independence requirements.
• Connecting with key stakeholders regularly to gather feedback and optimize engagement.
• Leading on development of Independence communications for EY UK Leadership, including the UK Board and Executive Management Committee, distilling key Independence and compliance themes that require leadership attention.
• Overseeing Independence compliance monitoring, such as related to fee cap, fee ratios, PACE documentation, and/or GIS compliance requirements.
• Overseeing governance and effective use of Independence tools to support compliance and business enablement.
• Understanding how the firm is changing, anticipating opportunities and challenges to identify key issues and make recommendations on best practices, matters to bring to leadership attention, or means of improving Independence engagement with the business.
• Consistently displaying executive presence, confidence and credibility that enhances interactions, taking personal responsibility for making, communicating and implementing decisions, including challenging decisions.
• Ensuring Independence processes meet System of Quality Management requirements.
• Driving accountability and an innovative mindset across Independence, including through monitoring trends and team activity, implementing sustainable solutions, proactively adapting Independence processes, resources and tools and leading on use of technology and AI.
• Coaching and developing Independence professionals, building capability, depth of expertise, and succession.

Across all your responsibilities, you will be expected to exercise sound judgement, engage proactively with the business, and balance technical rigour with commercial awareness, ensuring Independence requirements are applied consistently while supporting the firm’s strategic objectives.

We are looking for individuals who bring a strong mix of technical credibility, leadership capability and business awareness. Key requirements include:

• Extensive experience within a Risk Management function, ideally with direct Independence or closely related regulatory experience.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to lead a team that engages proactively with the business as both a second‑line function and a trusted advisor.
• Proven capability to interpret complex Independence requirements and translate them into practical, compliant guidance, including advising on service structuring and appropriate safeguards.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to apply regulatory requirements to real‑world business scenarios.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage complex workstreams, competing priorities, and delivery in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset, able to balance long‑term perspective with effective day‑to‑day delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with service lines, developing a deep understanding of business models, services, and commercial context.
• Resilient under pressure, with a track record of delivering high‑quality outcomes in high‑intensity, high‑visibility situations.
• Proactive and self‑directed, exercising sound judgement and accountability, with confidence to make decisions and escalate matters appropriately.
• Strong communicator, able to engage credibly at all levels and deliver clear, constructive challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative and adaptable leader, able to work effectively across functions and disciplines.

We offer a competitive remuneration package with flexible working and a comprehensive Total Rewards offering, including tailored benefits through FlexEY. As part of the UK Independence team, you will work in a critical risk management function closely connected to client delivery and go‑to‑market activity, with the opportunity to drive the strategic direction of a new operating model and further develop your leadership, judgement, and business‑partnering capabilities.

• Continuous learning: Build deep technical expertise alongside strong business, leadership, and communication skills.
• Business impact: Work directly with senior stakeholders to influence compliant, responsible go‑to‑market activity.
• Leadership development: Receive coaching and development to lead through change and build high‑performing teams.
• Inclusive culture: Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and continuous improvement.