Group Independence (E&I) Director

Forvis Mazars is an international network firm operating in the field of audit and consulting services in 100+ countries with 40,000+ staff. Forvis Mazars differentiates itself through its unique organization and its innovative people strategy.

As part of Forvis Mazars Group's continuous focus on promoting and enhancing a culture of quality to maintain our strong reputation for integrity, compliance, and ethical standards, we offer an exciting opportunity to join the expanding Quality & Risk Management (QRM) team within Group. QRM is one of the key pillars of the Forvis Mazars Group's strategic plan and we are looking for an experienced, internationally minded Director to build and drive the Group's Ethics & Independence (E&I) strategy a step further.

The role will give you exposure to the senior leadership of the Forvis Mazars Group – at the Group and regional level and across the 100+ countries and territories within the Group. You will connect with relevant Group level committees, including the Group Independence & Acceptance Committee (GIAC) to deliver on critical Quality & Risk initiatives. Operating with a multi-location team primarily located in the UK and France, we embrace hybrid/flexible working arrangements, with flexibility across locations.

You will be a well-organized, and internationally minded professional with relevant experience in an independence function at a professional services firm. You are encouraged to bring your experiences and new ideas, and to lead on innovating and developing original methods to deal with the challenges of increasing regulation. You will serve as an ambassador for independence and focus on building a strong community of experts across the Group, in a role that will expand as required to address independence challenges as we grow.

You will be working as part of the Group Quality & Risk Management team which is responsible for quality management, risk management, acceptance, ethics & independence, quality culture initiatives and monitoring activities under the leadership of the Group Chief Quality & Risk Officer.

Your wide and varied portfolio of responsibilities will include:

• Leading on the expansion and further development of the Group's independence policies, processes, systems, related implementation and change management activities.
• Working with countries within Group to help navigate more complex independence topics, acting as a point of consultation as well as raising awareness and education.
• Designing, getting buy in to, and monitoring progress of, the Group's Ethics & Independence strategic roadmap.
• Chairing the Group Ethics & Independence sub-committee which includes oversight of change management activities, Group wide communications and training, and ensuring that development projects deliver to agreed timelines.
• Developing and maintaining Group Independence policies, procedures and systems – including design and execution of ISQM1 controls related to Group Independence.
• Contributing to the design and execution of monitoring of compliance with Group's Independence Policies and requirements.
• Contributing to complex technical E&I consultations escalated to Group Independence from the country/business.
• Tracking ethical standards issued by relevant international bodies (e.g. IESBA) and regulators to ensure the Group's policies and procedures are updated accordingly.
• Preparing comment letters on discussion papers and exposure drafts on E&I issues.
• Leading or contributing to relevant special E&I projects as required by Group Executive leadership.

Qualifications: Excellent deep knowledge of the IESBA Code, SEC and EU independence requirements and application in practice, including in complex cross border situations.

Location: The role could be based in Paris, France or in London, UK.