Head of Risk Management & Compliance - GBS

Company Description

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

This role will lead the design, implementation, and evolution of a robust compliance and controls framework across GBS. This role is central to ensuring that Global Business Services operates in accordance with all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies, including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX). The ‘Head of Risk Management & Compliance’ will directly support the Global Process Owner (GPO) for Record to Analyze, partner with Service Delivery Leads (SDLs) across all functional Finance and HR towers and align closely with GBS Project Teams to embed controls into transformation and digitization initiatives.

The role will also be responsible for building and managing a high-performing compliance team across the Global Business Services (GBS) hubs.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation. Collaborate with GPOs and SDLs to:

• Lead GBS-wide compliance risk assessments and control mapping.
• Develop, maintain, and evolve SOX narratives and control documentation for GBS processes.
• Partner with GPOs to embed controls into standard processes and with SDLs to ensure ongoing operational compliance.
• Advise SDLs on risk mitigation actions and control execution gaps.

Training and Communication. Collaborate with SDLs, GPOs and HR (for onboarding) to:

• Design and deliver training programs tailored to compliance requirements across all GBS towers.
• Ensure consistent communication of policy updates and new control expectations across GBS teams.
• Create compliance toolkits to support SDLs in coaching their teams.

Auditing and Compliance Monitoring. Collaborate with Internal/External Audit, Project Teams, SDLs to:

• Lead the planning and execution of periodic compliance audits and self-assessments.
• Implement a structured self-testing program across all functional towers to proactively identify and remediate control gaps before internal/external audits.
• Train SDLs and tower teams on executing periodic self-assessments and interpreting results.
• Track trends across self-testing outcomes and escalate systemic issues to GPOs and senior GBS leadership.
• Monitor real-time compliance across all delivery hubs and flag emerging issues.
• Coordinate remediation efforts with SDLs and track closure of compliance gaps.
• Ensure new projects (automation, transitions) have built-in compliance checkpoints by working with Project Teams.
• Partner with internal and external auditors to ensure compliance with relevant local regulatory requirements.

Change & Project Compliance Integration. Collaborate with Project Teams, GPOs and IT to:

• Ensure all GBS-led projects include compliance and control design from the start.
• Review and approve compliance frameworks for new tools and workflows.
• Align with the GPO to ensure process design changes meet compliance requirements.

People Leadership and Development

• Build and lead a globally distributed compliance team.
• Set performance objectives aligned to GBS goals.
• Foster a strong compliance culture through coaching, recognition, and development.

Qualifications

• CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of experience, with at least 5 years in a global organization. 
• Deep expertise in SOX and operational compliance in shared services.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated success in cross-cultural, virtual team environments.
• Flexible on location but will preferably be based in one of our GBS hub locations: Bangalore, Bucharest, or Manila.

Additional Information

• Ability to obtain information and identify key issues and relationships relevant to achieving a long-term goal or vision (Strategic Decision Making)
• Ability to understand various business scenarios and make sound decisions by combining relevant factors to arrive at the best outcome (Business Acumen)
• Ability to drive to create experiences and opportunities that will lead to innovation. Ability to guide and influence other to navigate change. (Leading Change)
• Ability to gather, integrate, validate, and analyze relevant data to develop resolutions, findings, and recommendations. (Analytical Thinking)
• Ability to provide timely guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas needed to accomplish a task and ability to support direct reports to achieve desired performance and output (Coaching)
• Ability to maintain a high level of collaboration among multiple internal and external stakeholders to effectively arrive at solutions and develop initiatives. (Collaboration)
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with various internal and external customers globally. Ability to use tact and discretion in delivering critical and sensitive information to peers, stakeholders, and direct reports. (Communication)
• Ability to actively identify new areas for learning and opportunities to improve processes, tools, and mindset (Continuous improvement)
• Ability to maintain good customer relationship and initiate ways to improve customer experience (Customer service)
• Ability to clearly define objectives and set targets for the team that are consistent with and compliant to service delivery agreements, key performance indicators, and policies. (Planning and Organizing)
• Ability to identify and resolve varied and complex issues by applying best practices and technical expertise and ability to recommend solutions for recurring and unique scenarios. (Problem Solving)
• Ability to monitor and measure progress and effectively drive individual and team results that supports the overall goal of the team. (Results Oriented)

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.