EMEA Senior Manager, Risk and Controls

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE:

GroupM is the world’s leading media investment company responsible for more than $63B in annual media investment through agencies Mindshare, EssenceMediaCom, Wavemaker, and m/SIX. GroupM EMEA region consists of approximately 100 SOX entities spread over more than 35 markets across the region.

We are looking for an EMEA Senior Manager Risk and Controls to be part of the worldwide Risk & Controls team. The role involves liaising with a wide range of stakeholders across GroupM and WPP and managing the existing team based in the region.

Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and a collaborative team-oriented, problem-solving approach are critical.

Objectives of the Risk & Control function include:

1. Being a trusted partner and adviser for the Company in the area of risk, internal controls, and compliance.
2. Driving continuous improvement in the Company’s control environment and fostering ownership and accountability for internal controls at all levels.
3. Supporting and championing the culture of compliance, ethics, and integrity.
4. Providing training on internal policies, “what good looks like” in relation to controls, supporting controls implementation, and demonstrating the value of good controls throughout the Company.
5. Embracing technology and innovation to optimise risk & control activities and increase the level of compliance across the business.
6. Building and leveraging relationships to identify risks, anticipate issues, and recommend solutions.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serve as a compliance subject matter expert within the business.
2. Be a change agent to lead and effect desired change throughout the Region.
3. Lead the regional Risk & Control team together with the Director Risk & Controls – set a high standard and clear expectations; challenge, encourage, motivate, and inspire individuals to maximize their potential to achieve individual and departmental objectives.
4. Support the design and implementation of financial, operational, and compliance controls across the Region in line with the WPP Internal Control framework, which includes meeting the documentation and evidence standards required.
5. Support the design and operation of effective ongoing quality review/control monitoring programs as a second line of defence.
6. Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, including the use of technology, while adapting to the new and evolving challenges and opportunities.
7. Support in setting regional standards (where applicable and in line with global instruction), reinforce WPP & GroupM policies, control requirements, and communicate updates/changes to the business in a clear and concise manner.
8. Be a partner and source of support and guidance for specific areas of change/strategic importance that require controls implementation to enable ongoing success.
9. Think strategically about our business, develop pragmatic and sustainable solutions to enhance the control environment and streamline and standardise processes, procedures, and controls.
10. Coordinate audit activities for the region, liaising with internal and external audit teams and monitor remediation for all sources of assurance (SOX, WPP IA, Deloitte).
11. Coordinate/oversee internal control and risk management processes, e.g., business risk maps, internal control self-certifications, market Letter of Representation submissions, Code of Conduct, and related party declarations review.
12. Support the EMEA Director Risk and Controls in other ad-hoc activities.

EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS:

1. ACA/CA/ACCA qualified with experience (industry or consulting experience in ethics and compliance, business process improvement, risk management, or internal audit) at a multinational company.
2. Knowledge of IFRS, Sarbanes-Oxley, PCAOB requirements, etc.
3. A team leader who is driven, high-energy, change-oriented with proven ability to make decisions while being both a flexible and disciplined thinker.
4. Ability to apply a structured approach towards balancing multiple demands and priorities in a fast-paced environment and work collaboratively across geographies, functions, and with employees of diverse backgrounds.
5. Experienced in assessing business risk and evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control systems.
6. Proven track record of driving improvement and creating stronger business partnering relationships, rather than simply enforcing guidelines.
7. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) in interactions with staff and senior management. Ability to settle issues calmly and win concessions without damaging relationships.
8. Experience in media and advertising with proven knowledge of core business processes is a plus.
9. Good analytical skills with high attention to detail and accuracy.
10. Fluency in foreign languages relevant to the EMEA region is a plus.

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