Description
Position at GroupM
About GroupM
GroupM is the world’s leading media buying operation worldwide, responsible for more than $60B of global media billings through agencies including Mindshare, Essence Mediacom, Wavemaker, and mSix & Partners, as well as Nexus, the industry’s largest community of performance marketing experts designed to drive performance and innovation at scale for GroupM’s agencies and clients.
Scope & Objective
We are looking for a Risk & Controls Lead to join our GroupM Turkey team based in Istanbul. You will be responsible for providing support to the organization in both implementing and monitoring an effective local control framework aligned with Group requirements and the wide spectrum of compliance activities. You will support with audits on both coordination, issue discussion and remediation. This is a challenging role with multiple priorities and a wide range of local and regional stakeholders. The candidate will be responsible for the GroupM Turkey R&C function in the Turkey market, and be part of the wider EMEA Risk & Controls team, reporting to both the Local GroupM Turkey CFO and EMEA Risk & Controls Director.
Objectives of the Risk & Control function include:
- being a trusted partner and adviser for the Company in the area of risk, internal controls and compliance
- driving continuous improvement in the Company’s control environment and fostering ownership and accountability for internal controls at all levels
- supporting the culture of compliance, ethics and integrity
- providing training on internal policies, “what good looks like” in relation to controls, supporting controls implementation and demonstrating the value of good controls throughout the Company
- embracing technology and innovation to optimize risk & control activities and increase level of compliance across the business
- building and leveraging relationships to identify risks, anticipate issues and recommend solutions
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- promote and help embed the culture of ethics and integrity across the region through training, support and advising on relevant topics such as anti-bribery and corruption, internal controls, as well as internal policy requirements
- serve as a risk & controls subject matter expert / thought leader within the business
- be a change agent to lead and effect desired change throughout the Region
- be a great business partner; establish and maintain excellent relationships within the team and collaborate effectively with colleagues across GroupM, WPP and other Networks. Engage with multiple senior stakeholders, both internal and external
- support the design and implementation of financial, operational and compliance controls across the Region in line with the WPP Internal Control framework, which includes meeting the documentation and evidence standards required
- design and operate effective on-going quality review / control monitoring programs as a second line of defense
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, including use of technology, while adapting to the new and evolving challenges and opportunities
- reinforce WPP & GroupM policies, control requirements and communicate updates / changes to the business in a clear and concise manner
- be a partner and source of support and guidance for specific areas of change / strategic importance that require controls implementation to enable on-going success
- think strategically about our business, develop pragmatic and sustainable solutions to enhance the control environment and streamline and standardize processes, procedures, and controls
- coordinate audit activities for the market, liaising with internal and external audit teams (e.g. WPP IA, Deloitte) and monitor remediation for all source of assurance (SOX, WPP IA, Deloitte)
- coordinate / oversee internal control and risk management processes for the market, e.g. business risk maps, internal control self-certifications, market Letter of Representation submissions, Code of Conduct and related party declarations review
Experience & Skills:
- minimum of 8 years’ experience (industry or consulting experience in business process improvement, risk management, internal / external audit, and/or ethics and compliance)
- accounting qualification is desirable
- familiar with IFRS, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, PCAOB requirements, etc.
- a leader who is driven, high-energy, change-oriented with proven ability to make decisions while being both a flexible and disciplined thinker
- ability to apply a structured approach towards balancing multiple demands and priorities in a fast-paced environment and work cross-functionally with multiple geographies, functions, and employees of diverse backgrounds
- experienced in assessing business risk and evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of internal control systems
- proven track record of driving improvement and creating stronger business partnering relationships, rather than simply enforcing guidelines
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) in interactions with colleagues and stakeholders including senior management. Ability to settle issues calmly and win concessions without damaging relationships
- experience in media and advertising with proven knowledge of core business processes is a plus
- fluent in English is required
- competent in excel
