Independence Manager (Personal Independence), Risk Management, CBS, Belfast

Ernst & Young Advisory Services Sdn Bhd; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Location: Belfast

Date: 23 Apr 2025

Requisition ID: 1578635

Within the professional services environment, appropriate risk management is fundamental to the successful delivery of our client services and promotion and protection of our brand. Within EY, the Risk Management (RM) group (which covers audit Independence, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering, data protection, enterprise and business risk, and other risk and regulatory areas), is responsible for the promotion, protection and support of risk management within the business. The group aims to uphold our business standards, maintain and enhance the value of the brand, and ensure that the firm complies with the rules and regulations imposed on it in relation to the conduct of its business.

The UK Independence Team forms part of the UK Risk Management Group (“RM”) which reports directly to senior management.

The opportunity

Due to the significant expansion of the UK Independence team, we are recruiting several Manager roles within the Personal Independence area of the team. The roles are permanent, full-time positions, based in Belfast, and some travel to London may be required. Prior Independence experience is desirable but not essential.

The Personal Independence Team is responsible for supporting EY Partners and client facing professionals to ensure that their personal investments and relationships comply with EY’s Independence policies and the rules and regulations imposed by external regulatory bodies such as the UK Financial Reporting Council, US Securities and Exchange Commission and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants.

The Personal Independence Team is an experienced and well-established function, currently based in London. However, due to the continued growth of the firm the team is significantly expanding. This provides a very exciting opportunity to be part of the formation of a new function based in Belfast, that will enhance the overall UK Independence support provided to the business.

Your key responsibilities

• Daily management and oversight of the Belfast based team.
• Setting clear targets and monitoring the performance and progress of the team.
• Acting as first point of contact for queries from more junior team members in the Belfast team.
• Recruitment and training of new joiners.
• Operation of a first line of defence helpdesk / support function designed to support EY Partners and Staff with Independence related queries.
• Collaborate with the existing London based Personal Independence team and focus on integration of the newly created Belfast team to offer a seamless experience to our stakeholders and internal clients.
• Managing EY systems, processes and procedures, ensuring that we are meeting the requirements of our systems of quality control under ISQM1 and delivering quality at the highest levels.
• Responding to regulatory requests and findings from practice reviews by preparing appropriate reports and action plans, followed by implementation of the proposed actions.
• Working directly with new hires to the business, to ensure they are compliant with Independence requirements prior to joining the firm.
• Supporting Independence Partners and Directors on Independence related activities as required.

To qualify for the role, you must:

• Be currently working at manager level in a risk/compliance role, and have experience in managing a team.
• Ability to lead, coach and guide junior team members.
• Have excellent communication skills and able to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels, particularly delivering sensitive messages to senior leaders within the firm.
• Take a proactive and commercial approach to resolving complex and difficult independence challenges while ensuring compliance with the internal/external regulations.
• Have strong project management skills and proficiency at driving projects to a close working to pre-determined deadlines and meeting objectives under pressure.
• Be capable of using your own initiative.
• Have strong analytical and interpretation skills, with an ability to think strategically and handle complex concepts.
• Be adaptable and flexible and a desire to provide exceptional support.

The following would be an advantage:

• Experience of implementing and operated newly created processes in a support centre environment.
• A strong working knowledge of the concept of Ethics and Independence, in particular under the UK FRC Ethical Standard, IESBA Code of Ethics and US SEC regulations (not essential).
• An understanding of working in a Risk Management environment.

What we offer

Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.

Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.

Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.

Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.

If you can demonstrate that you meet the criteria above, please contact us as soon as possible.

The exceptional EY experience. It’s yours to build.

Apply now.

Please note:

Prior to finalizing your application, you will be asked to provide personal information across several dimensions of diversity and inclusiveness. The information you provide is kept entirely confidential and will not be used to evaluate your candidacy. We collect this data to help us analyse our recruitment process holistically and implement actions that promote diversity and inclusiveness. While optional, we encourage you to provide this information to hold us accountable towards our goal of building a better working world. Read more about our commitment to diversity & inclusiveness here. We ask because it matters!

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