Head of Global Compliance & Ethics (London or Germany – 50% Travel to Germany)
Location: London, United Kingdom
Travel Requirement: Up to 50% travel to Germany
Reports to: Chief Legal Officer / General Counsel / Executive Board
Direct Reports: Regional Compliance Leads, Investigations Team, Ethics & Integrity Program Managers
Role Overview
The Head of Global Compliance & Ethics leads the design, implementation, and continuous enhancement of the organisation’s global compliance and ethics framework. Based in London with significant travel to Germany, this leader will drive a strong culture of integrity, oversee ethics programme design, and ensure the development of effective compliance systems across all regions.
The successful candidate will be a strategic business partner who can navigate complex regulatory environments in Europe and globally while delivering a consistently high-quality Compliance & Ethics programme.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Develop and execute a global Compliance & Ethics strategy fully aligned with business objectives and values.
* Advise senior leadership and the Board on emerging compliance risks and regulatory developments.
* Lead enterprise-wide compliance and cultural transformation initiatives.
Ethics Programme Design & Implementation (Must-Have)
* Design, implement, and continuously improve a global Ethics & Integrity Programme, ensuring that ethical conduct is embedded into organisational culture, decision-making processes, and leadership behaviour.
* Develop and roll out global ethics communications, behavioural frameworks, and integrity-led leadership initiatives.
Compliance Programme Management
* Oversee global policies, procedures, and controls across key risk areas including:
* Anti-bribery & corruption (ABAC)
* Competition/antitrust
* Trade compliance
* Data privacy & information governance
* Conflicts of interest
* Third-party risk & due diligence
* Whistleblowing and speak-up systems
* Ensure the programme meets both global consistency and local German regulatory requirements.
Training & Culture
* Build and deliver global training frameworks, including targeted ethics and compliance training for high-risk functions.
* Champion a speak-up culture and promote ethical leadership throughout the organisation.
Monitoring, Audits & Investigations
* Oversee internal investigations, ensuring independence, rigour, and confidentiality.
* Lead global compliance audits, monitoring activities, and risk assessments.
* Ensure timely implementation of remediation actions.
Risk Management & Reporting
* Perform global compliance risk assessments and implement risk-based controls.
* Provide regular reporting on compliance and ethics risks, trends, and programme maturity to senior leadership and the Board.
Stakeholder Engagement & Business Partnering
* Build strong relationships with leadership teams in Germany and across global business units.
* Partner closely with Legal, Internal Audit, HR, Finance, and operational leaders to ensure compliance is integrated into business processes.
* Engage with regulators and external specialists as required.
Qualifications & Experience
* Law degree, compliance certification (CCEP, CCEP-I), or equivalent.
* 10–15+ years of experience in compliance, ethics, legal, audit, or risk roles within multinational organisations.
* Must have industrial experience, pharmaceuticals and Banking is not desired.
* Demonstrated experience designing and implementing an Ethics Programme is essential.
* Strong understanding of European and international compliance frameworks including FCPA, UK Bribery Act, GDPR, antitrust and trade regulations.
* Experience managing internal investigations and interacting with regulatory authorities.
* Experience working closely with stakeholders in Germany is highly desirable.
* Able to travel 50% to Germany as part of the role.