Director Risk and Controls AECOM London

Job Description
We are currently recruiting for a Director of Risk and Controls (Europe) to join our well-established and experienced Finance team in our centrally located London Holborn office. The role could also be based in a large regional office such as Manchester, Birmingham and St. Albans.

As the Director of Risk and Controls you will report directly to the VP Controller, Europe and will be responsible for leadership in the provision of assurance services to European Management, Shared Services, and Operations.



This role will also liaise with Corporate Risk and Controls in the United States. You will be responsible for providing assurance on the effectiveness of controls across Continental Europe West and East operations, UK&IRL, be a partner to the business by helping to embed AECOM policies and procedures, assess and improve the controls in each of the respective countries and minimizing the number of audit findings reported to Corporate and will develop and implement the annual audit plan over remote site reviews which evaluate and improves risk management, compliance, governance, and internal controls within the business. The audit plan should be based on a comprehensive risk assessment, undertaken at least annually. This will be achieved through the planning and execution of operational, financial, regulatory and compliance related audits and reviews.

You will also play an integral role in the management of risk and controls in the business, working with Operations and Finance in producing and evaluating the company’s risk appetite framework that will be reviewed by AECOM Senior Management. You should be able to constructively challenge current practices and develop sustainable processes that enable strong business accountability and awareness of risk appetite at various levels of management. This position also advises, trains and provides quality control support to personnel in Europe on internal control issues and strategies to enhance achievement of business objectives through risk management.

Responsibilities

As the Director for Risk and Controls Europe you will have the following responsibilities:

• Maintain a Risk Universe and establish and agree an ongoing risk plan with management personnel within Continental Europe West and East.
• Develop and delivery of the annual remote site reviews and other strategic assurance reviews for the business. Assess, plan and execute risk based financial, regulatory, compliance and operational reviews/audits.
• Assess, plan and execute audit procedures to verify that controls are operating effectively through testing and interviewing techniques.
• Provide advice on internal controls including identifying gaps and participate in enhancing internal audit standards and practices.
• Draft comprehensive process documentation for key processes and outline key controls for Continental Europe East and Continental Europe West. (includes but not limited to Revenue, Month End, General Accounting, etc.) Analyse and conclude on the effectiveness and efficiency of the control environment.
• Build strong working relationships, engage, co-ordinate and influence a range of internal and external stakeholders (risk, legal, compliance, commercial, OD’s of business units, heads of functions, etc.) as appropriate to ensure completion of the audit plan, encourage open discussion and minimise risk to the business.
• Identify control trends, regulatory themes and emerging risks and their impact on the business and by applying business acumen and experience.
• As circumstances warrant, oversee and/or conduct special examinations and investigations, risk advisory work, and other ad hoc project related to audit and compliance, working closely with legal.
• Assess, evaluate and promote compliance to internal AECOM policies.
• Hold responsibility for the testing of the key controls in accordance with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley and best-in-class compliance.
• Ensure timely and transparent communications related to audit issues, control gaps, and potential mitigating actions, working closely with Corporate Risk and Controls in the United States.
• Coordinate SOX audit with Corporate Internal Audit Services Group (ASG) and the external auditors and manage the relationship in a proactive, constructive manner.
• Thoroughly analyze complex business issues and identify risk areas, explain their potential impact, and offer potential solutions.
• Undertake significant travel to support operations within Europe and other countries, as necessary.
• Oversee the execution of the work plan in accordance with departmental policies and professional standards, and agreed budgetary targets.
• Developing due diligence plans, reviews of documented procedures, conducting on-site operational reviews and interviews, conducting document reviews, and drafting reports to European Management.
• Ensure unmitigated risks and control deficiencies identified are adequately communicated to and understood by operating and senior management.
• Work with the respective countries to ensure that all action plans are appropriate and implemented in a timely manner.
• Establish credibility with respective countries management as a “subject matter expert” for advice on controls, risks, or other project related matters.
• Takes the leading role in the continuous improvement of procedures as necessary to ensure that risk and change management is embedded within the business going forwards.
• Provide support related to controls and risk management for a range of projects including, but not limited to, implementation of new systems, enhancement of existing processes, and investigations of potential fraud or abuse.
• Conduct internal status meetings with management.
• Trains personnel on a continuing basis with regards to AECOM's methodologies.
• Develop a positive reputation and network of contacts within the Corporation.
• Liaises with internal and external auditors as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications• Degree educated or equivalent in a business, finance or accounting subject or similar.

• CCAB or IIA qualified.
Minimum Requirements• Must be a proven leader with significant experience with one of the major public accounting firms and/or corporate senior management roles in internal audit.
• Must have experience of audit team leadership.
• Must be able to develop a vision for audit and communicate it effectively across a wide range of constituencies.
• Proven success building and managing audit functions in a US-based, highly-regulated, public financial services company with sophisticated, diverse, global business activities.
• Must have meaningful, relevant experience in a business environment that operates globally with multiple lines of business comparable in size, scope and complexity to that of AECOM and that is characterized by growth, ongoing enhancement of business processes and systems complexity.
• A strong command of US GAAP, internal controls, business process and IIA standards.
• Significant expertise in risk management, compliance and the operational and servicing aspects thereof.
• Candidates with a blend of public accounting and industry will be favored.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to lead through influencing and persuasion.
• A proven ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with a myriad of sophisticated audiences including their immediate team, executive management, business heads, functional peers, clients and regulators.
• Willingness to travel (approximating 20% but up to 50%, dependent on priorities).
• Strong potential to develop partnership/influencing skills, senior management-level presence & credibility.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Be adaptable and able to meet deadlines on assignments, juggle multiple demands and to work with all types of individuals.
• Strong skills in negotiating, relationship building, problem solving and timely problem escalation.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to work independently with high attention to detail.
• Comfortable in producing high quality presentations and training sessions.
• Requires knowledge of major business drivers and risks for operating companies and support groups.
• Must be able to function well in different cultures and societies.
• Experience of working with multiple currencies.

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