At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead regional compliance efforts and ensure alignment with laws and company values.
- Company: Join Valvoline, a global leader in automotive solutions with a strong ethical foundation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for travel and cross-functional collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by fostering a culture of integrity and managing compliance risks.
- Qualifications: Juris Doctor degree and 5-8 years of experience in compliance or regulatory law.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Job Purpose
The Ethics & Compliance Counsel serves as a legal advisor and regional strategic leader responsible for the regional execution and continuous improvement of Valvoline Global Operations’ global ethics and compliance program.
This role ensures alignment with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and organizational values while enabling business objectives across diverse regional markets.
The position plays a critical role in fostering a culture of integrity, managing legal and reputational risk, and providing support and insights to regional leadership.
- How You Make an Impact (Job Accountabilities)
- Regional Ethics & Compliance Program Leadership
- Provide regional support for VGO’s global ethics and compliance program, ensuring a risk-based, scalable framework aligned with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company values across all wholly owned entities and joint ventures.
- Provide regional support for key compliance program elements, including Code of Conduct, policy governance, ABAC, global trade compliance, ESG-related compliance, product regulatory compliance, and third-party risk management.
- Provide regional support for compliance risk assessments, monitoring, and reporting processes to evaluate program effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
- Stay abreast of evolving regulatory, enforcement, and ESG reporting landscapes and proactively advise business leaders on emerging risks and required actions.
- Investigations & Reporting Programs - Regional Oversight
- Provide regional support for compliance investigations, assessing allegations of misconduct to determine potential violations of law, regulation, or company policy.
- Plan, scope, and lead complex, high-risk, and confidential internal investigations from inception through resolution.
- Review and provide guidance on investigation work conducted by investigators or regional resources to ensure consistency and quality.
- Ensure timely and appropriate documentation, reporting, and closure of investigations, including tracking remediation actions through completion.
- Policy, Training & Culture
- Lead the regional compliance efforts associated with global ethics and compliance policies.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of regional compliance procedures and workflows to operationalize policies effectively.
- Oversee the design and deployment of regional compliance training and communications to promote awareness of legal requirements, ethical expectations, and regulatory obligations.
- Advance a strong speak-up culture and reinforce non-retaliation principles.
- Cross-Functional & Global Partnership
- Partner cross-functionally with regional HR, Finance, Security, Product, Supply Chain, ESG, and Internal Audit teams to proactively identify legal, compliance, and governance risks and implement practical, defensible solutions.
- Coordinate with Global Compliance as well as regional legal teams to deliver consistent, pragmatic guidance on ethics, ABAC, export controls, environmental compliance, and product regulatory matters.
- Support compliance aspects of internal audits, Aramco compliance audits, ESG reporting reviews, and other regulatory assessments, including tracking, remediation, and reporting of findings across wholly owned entities and joint ventures.
- Advise on compliance aspects of regional cross-border transactions, third-party relationships, and market expansion activities to proactively identify and mitigate compliance risks.
- Third-Party Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance
- Support VGO’s third-party risk management program, including onboarding, implementation, and optimization of third-party due diligence processes.
- Support risk-based due diligence and monitoring of third parties, with a focus on ABAC, export controls, sanctions, ESG considerations, and product compliance risks.
- Privacy & Data Protection/ AI Regional Support
- Provide regional support for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Valvoline’s global data privacy and AI programs, ensuring alignment with applicable laws and business objectives.
- Provide regional legal counsel on global data protection and AI laws (e. g., GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, EU AI Act and other emerging frameworks), translating requirements into practical guidance.
- Participate in and support regional core privacy program operations, including data protection and AI impact assessments (DPIAs/PIAs), AI impact assessments, data subject rights processes (DSARs), and records of processing activities.
- Product Regulatory & ESG Compliance
- Provide regional legal oversight and guidance on global product regulatory compliance, including chemical regulations, product safety requirements, and product stewardship obligations.
- Support Global Compliance and the global ESG team with environmental and ESG-related regulations and reporting frameworks, including environmental disclosures, sustainability reporting, and related governance expectations.
- Advise on regional compliance with global chemical regulatory frameworks (e. g., Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)) and applicable regional requirements.
- Partner with Product, Supply Chain, and ESG teams to provide regional legal guidance on product lifecycle management, including labeling, safety data sheets, storage, transportation, and disposal requirements.
- Monitor regional regulatory developments related to environmental, health, safety, and product compliance, and translate requirements into actionable business guidance.
- Risk Mitigation & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor regional investigation trends, case data, compliance metrics, and ESG-related risks to identify systemic issues and implement preventative legal, policy, and training solutions.
- Lead or support enterprise compliance initiatives, including ESG integration, regulatory readiness, risk assessments, and audits.
- Ensure effective follow-up on corrective and disciplinary actions to confirm timely and appropriate implementation.
What You Bring to the Role (Job Qualifications / Education / Skills / Requirements / Capabilities)
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school and active license to practice law.
- Significant experience (typically 5–8 years) in ethics & compliance, internal investigations, regulatory law, ESG compliance, or related legal roles within a global organization.
- Demonstrated expertise in compliance program management, including ABAC, global trade, ESG compliance, and product regulatory frameworks (e. g., chemical regulations, product safety, transportation compliance).
- Strong knowledge of environmental and product-related regulatory regimes, including GHS, DOT hazardous materials regulations, and global product stewardship standards.
- Proven ability to lead complex, sensitive internal investigations and provide clear, risk-based recommendations.
- Experience interacting with executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders, including preparation of formal reports and presentations.
- Experience managing outside counsel and working across multiple jurisdictions.
- Exceptional analytical, judgment, and problem-solving skills with the ability to operate independently in high-stakes situations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex legal and regulatory concepts to non-legal audiences.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professional ethics.
- Competencies Desired
Strategic Risk Leadership : Ability to anticipate, assess, and mitigate complex legal and compliance risks while aligning solutions with business strategy.
Executive Communication & Influence : Effectively communicates complex issues to senior leadership, influencing decisions through clear, concise, and data-driven insights.
Investigative Rigor : Applies structured, thorough, and objective approaches to investigations, ensuring defensible outcomes and high-quality documentation.
Global Perspective : Demonstrates understanding of cross-border legal and cultural considerations, applying consistent compliance standards across diverse regions.
Program Leadership & Continuous Improvement : Drives ongoing enhancement of compliance frameworks, leveraging data, trends, and best practices to strengthen program effectiveness.
- Working Conditions / Physical Requirements / Travel Requirements
- Primarily office-based or hybrid work environment with extended periods of sitting and computer use.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, global environment.
- Occasional travel (approximately 20–30%) to support global investigations, training, audits, and business engagement.
- May require availability outside standard business hours to support global operations and urgent compliance matters.
Regional Compliance Counsel- EMEA employer: Valvoline
Valvoline Global Operations is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of creativity, innovation, and excellence, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. With a commitment to employee growth, Valvoline offers opportunities for mentorship and collaboration across diverse teams, while its corporate values of Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence ensure a supportive work environment. Located in a dynamic global setting, employees benefit from being part of a pioneering company that prioritises sustainability and customer satisfaction, all while enjoying a flexible work culture that encourages personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Compliance Counsel- EMEA
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Valvoline looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Compliance Counsel- EMEA
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Valvoline. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Valvoline
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Valvoline’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
