Chief Ethics Officer

Sodexo; Issy-les-Moulineaux; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an experienced Chief Ethics Officer to lead and transform our Group Ethics function, strengthening integrity and responsible business conduct across a complex, international organisation. This is a high-visibility senior leadership role with strategic direction and hands-on delivery, shaping governance and the ethics programme globally.

You will oversee Speak Up, investigations, Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest and Human Rights policy, while partnering with Compliance,

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience across Ethics, Compliance, Investigations or Legal.
• Proven ability to lead complex and sensitive investigations involving senior management.
• Strong knowledge of ethics and compliance programme design, Codes of Conduct and whistleblowing systems.
• Good knowledge of French regulatory requirements relating to ethics, whistleblowing, anti-corruption and Human Rights.
• Experience translating regulatory requirements into practical policies, governance and guidance.
• Experience working across decentralised, matrixed and multicultural organisations.
• Previous experience within a French or global organisation is essential.
• Experience in a multi-site, labour-intensive service environment (food services or facilities management) would be advantageous.
• Strong influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills with handling confidential matters.
• Master's degree in a related discipline; legal background would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group Ethics strategy, operating model and transformation roadmap.
• Strengthen ethics governance, policies, processes, tools and accountabilities across regions.
• Oversee the Speak Up framework including investigations and remediation.
• Lead or oversee complex investigations involving senior management.
• Ensure investigations are impartial, governed and well-documented.
• Own and develop the Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest framework and HR policy.
• Identify ethics risks using data, trends and feedback for improvement.
• Build Sodexo's ethics culture through training and awareness programmes.
• Lead the global Ethics Champions network and share best practices internationally.
• Partner with Compliance, Legal, HR, Internal Audit, Sustainability and leadership.
• Present ethics risks and transformation priorities to senior executives and the Board.
• Lead, coach and develop the Group Ethics team.

Skills

Ethics leadership

Investigations

Compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

French regulation

Education

Master's in Law/Compliance

Job description

Sodexo is seeking an experienced Chief Ethics Officer to lead and transform our Group Ethics function, strengthening integrity, accountability and responsible business conduct across a complex, international and multicultural organisation.

This is a highly visible senior leadership position, combining strategic direction with hands-on delivery. You will shape the Group Ethics strategy and governance framework while providing leadership across Speak Up, sensitive investigations, the Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest, Human Rights, ethics training and the global Ethics Champions network.

Working closely with executive management, governance bodies and the Board, you will ensure consistent and effective Ethics practices are embedded across Sodexo's global operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Group Ethics strategy, operating model and transformation roadmap, aligned with Sodexo's values, business priorities and risk profile.
• Strengthen Ethics governance, policies, processes, tools and accountabilities across regions and countries.
• Oversee the Speak Up framework, including case triage, investigations, remediation, escalation, reporting and continuous improvement.
• Lead or oversee complex and sensitive investigations, including Respect at Work matters involving senior management.
• Ensure investigations are impartial, appropriately governed, legally compliant and supported by robust fact-finding and documentation.
• Own and develop the Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest framework and Group Human Rights policy.
• Use case data, trends, employee feedback and external assessments to identify emerging Ethics risks and areas for improvement.
• Build and strengthen Sodexo's Ethics culture through targeted training, communication and awareness programmes.
• Lead the global Ethics Champions network, driving greater consistency and sharing best practice internationally.
• Partner closely with Compliance, Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit, Sustainability and business leadership.
• Present key Ethics risks, sensitive cases, trends and transformation priorities to senior executives, governance committees and the Board.
• Lead, coach and develop the Group Ethics team while balancing strategic priorities with direct involvement in critical or sensitive matters.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a credible and pragmatic senior Ethics leader who can operate confidently at executive and Board level, while remaining close to operational delivery.

You will bring:

• Significant senior-level experience across Ethics, Compliance, Investigations, Legal or a closely related function.
• Proven experience leading complex and sensitive investigations involving senior management.
• Strong knowledge of Ethics and Compliance programme design, Codes of Conduct, whistleblowing systems, conflicts of interest and investigation practices.
• Good knowledge of French legal and regulatory requirements relating to Ethics, whistleblowing, anti-corruption, duty of vigilance and Human Rights.
• Experience translating regulatory requirements into practical policies, governance, processes and business guidance.
• Experience working across decentralised, matrixed and multicultural organisations.
• Previous experience within a French or global organisation is essential.
• Experience within a multi-site, labour-intensive service environment, ideally food services or facilities management.
• Strong influencing, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to handle highly confidential and sensitive matters.
• A Master's degree in Law, Compliance, Business, Political Science or a related discipline. A legal background would be advantageous.

Candidates must currently be based and living in France, must be confident communicating in French in a professional environment and have previous experience working within a French or global organisation.