Personal Ethics & Independence Operations Manager (24 month FTC)

KPMG Careers; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job description

Personal Ethics & Independence Operations Manager (24 month FTC)

Location: Birmingham, Leeds & Other locations

Base Location: Watford, Birmingham, Glasgow or Leeds

The KPMG Business Services function is a cornerstone of our UK business. Operating from 20 UK locations and sitting with KPMG Central Services, we do work that matters.

Within Central Services, we are part of a community of experts across a wide range of critical activities that help grow, run, and protect KPMG in the UK.

From HR and Learning, Finance, Procurement, Facilities, and Business Support, to Risk and Legal, Corporate Affairs, and Sales and Marketing, our approach focuses on driving the improved performance of the firm, which we support with diligence and expertise.

KPMG is one of the world's largest and most respected consultancy businesses. We've supported the UK through times of war and peace, prosperity and recession, political and regulatory upheaval. We've proudly stood beside the institutions and businesses that make the UK what it is.

Why Join KPMG as a Personal Ethics & Independence Operations Manager

The Ethics and Independence (E&I) team is part of the Quality and Risk Management Risk Operations Group, responsible for monitoring the firm’s and its individuals’ compliance with professional risk management and quality control policies, procedures, and guidance. The group collaborates with the wider Quality and Risk community and across the KPMG network to exchange knowledge, develop, and improve processes in response to emerging regulatory, business, and other requirements.

Within the Risk Operations Group, four teams oversee Partner and colleague independence, communicating UK policy, process, and guidance on Ethics & Independence (firm and personal) and providing guidance and advice to partners and colleagues on ethics & Independence matters.

What will you be doing?

• Managing four teams responsible for Partner and colleague independence, overseeing their day-to-day operations and ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Consulting with relevant Ethics and Independence colleagues to support senior management in improving compliance levels across the firm.
• Ensuring processes such as mandatory preclearance for Partner and Partner Equivalent populations are carried out efficiently and within timescales.
• Overseeing the helpdesk for Professional staff and the independence teams, including the Financial Investment data team.
• Acting as the secondary escalation point for non-standard queries, applying policies, regulations, and standards to provide appropriate responses.
• Identifying, escalating, and recording breaches of personal independence requirements.
• Providing management information on team performance and facilitating process improvements.
• Leading key initiatives to enhance compliance levels and managing the collection of annual risk metric data.
• Driving system and process changes in response to regulatory updates and system developments, including contributing to testing and guidance updates.
• Acting as a performance manager for team members, supporting career development, engagement, and motivation.
• Leading ad-hoc projects related to Quality and Risk Management initiatives as required.

What will you need to do it?

• A client-focused approach with a passion for delivering excellence and understanding of the issues faced by stakeholders.
• Experience applying Regulatory and Firm policies related to Financial investments and compliance.
• Strong project management skills to prioritize and plan tasks effectively.
• Excellent communication skills—questioning, listening, and applying judgment.
• The ability to work independently, take responsibility, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Motivated leadership with a solutions-focused attitude.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and team-support skills.
• A pragmatic, logical approach to analysis and problem-solving, with high attention to detail.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Previous experience in compliance or audit roles is advantageous.

To discuss this or other Central Services roles, apply, create a profile, upload your CV, and start making your mark with KPMG.