Regional Director, Risk & Controls

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

Role Overview:

The North America (NA) Regional Director, Risk & Controls acts as a partner to the WPP ARC Global Director, Risk & Controls, supporting the rollout of strategic priorities across the NA region. This role leads second line of defense activities and ensures robust risk management and internal controls in partnership with other WPP functions.

We are looking for a proactive and self-motivated individual who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. The role requires being in a WPP office a few days a week or as agreed with your line manager. 

What you will be doing: 

• SOX Program Leadership: Leading WPP's SOX program across NA, ensuring compliance and effective internal controls over financial reporting and operations.
• Elevating Risk Management: Driving continuous improvement by performing risk assessment and controls framework within NA, ensuring its effectiveness and relevance.
• Empowering Through Training: Developing and delivering regulatory and compliance training programs to enhance understanding and adherence across NA.

• Drive Control Transformation: Lead the transformation and implementation of best practices in control designs across the NA organization.
• Enhance Controls: Enhance the design and implementation of controls and processes within NA, strengthening their effectiveness and efficiency.
• Support Remediation Efforts: Provide support and guidance for remediation efforts across the region, ensuring timely and effective resolution of control deficiencies.
• Support Non-Financial Reporting Controls: Collaborate on control matters related to non-financial reporting that fall within RCG's wider remit as defined, ensuring NA is compliant with regulatory requirements.
• Compliance Solutions: Identify digital compliance solutions and develop online tools to become more efficient.

What You Bring:

• Professional Certification: Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or equivalent.
• Audit Experience: Significant internal and/or external audit experience, demonstrating a strong foundation in audit principles and practices, preferably in a senior role within a fast-paced environment. 
• Risk and Control Expertise: Strong background in risk assessment and controls, with a proven ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Process narrative and risk & control matrices documentation experience.
• Leadership and Management Acumen: Demonstrated leadership and management skills, with experience leading and developing high-performing teams. Strong and proven leadership.
• Strategic Thinking: Smart and strategic with a collaborative and team-first mindset. Initiative to think about the bigger picture and downstream impact.
• Change Management: Proven track record of influencing change. Large company process reengineering and change management experience for systems implementations a plus.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

#LI-Onsite

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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