Director, Risk & Governance (Ethics & Compliance)

Position: Director, Risk & Governance (Ethics & Compliance)

Job Description:

The Director of Risk & Governance for Ethics & Compliance is a senior leader responsible for designing and managing the foundational pillars of our global Ethics & Compliance (E&C) program. Reporting to the Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, you will develop and oversee our enterprise-wide compliance risk framework, internal investigations, and whistleblower programs, as well as our core policy governance. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role that requires both strategic vision to design best-in-class programs and the hands-on ability to execute them. You will be a trusted partner to Legal, HR, and business leaders, working collaboratively to embed a culture of integrity and accountability across the organization. If you are an expert in compliance who excels at building programs from the ground up, this is a unique opportunity to make your mark.
 

Core Responsibilities & Duties:

• Strategic Risk Management & Governance
  • Lead our organization-wide Ethics & Compliance risk assessment process to proactively identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks related to compliance areas
  • Develop and maintain the organization's risk register, presenting findings and mitigation plans to senior management and the Board to drive strategic decision-making
  • Conduct root cause analysis on substantiated issues, using insights from investigations and risk assessments to recommend and implement durable improvements to business processes and controls
• Investigations & Case Management
  • Own and enhance our global internal investigations framework, establishing standard protocols for conducting fair, timely, and thorough investigations into allegations of misconduct
  • Oversee the organization’s whistleblower hotline and reporting channels, managing the intake, triage, and tracking of all cases to ensure proper handling and resolution
  • Personally lead or provide expert oversight on significant and sensitive investigations, ensuring objectivity and collaborating with legal counsel on privileged matters
• Policy Lifecycle Management
  • Serve as the governance owner for key E&C policies, including Anti-Bribery/Anti-Corruption, Conflicts of Interest, and Gifts & Entertainment
  • Manage the entire policy lifecycle: regularly review and update policies to align with new laws and best practices, lead the stakeholder review and approval process, and ensure effective communication and accessibility for all employees
• Program Measurement & Improvement
  • Develop and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to measure the effectiveness of the E&C program, tracking metrics on investigations, hotline usage, and risk mitigation
  • Prepare clear and concise reports for the leadership team and Board committees, providing data-driven insights into the company's ethical culture and compliance health
  • Stay current with regulatory expectations (e.g., DOJ guidance) and industry best practices to continuously benchmark and improve our program, ensuring it remains effective and fit for purpose

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Law (Master level preferred). Bar admission (EU/US) strongly preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in a corporate compliance, legal, audit, or risk management function, with significant, direct experience leading and conducting complex internal investigations into fraud, corruption, or other ethical misconduct
• Deep expertise in the framework of an effective compliance program, including strong knowledge of the FCPA, DOJ guidance, and the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CCEP, CFE) are highly valued

Skills:

• Proven program management skills with a track record of leading cross-functional initiatives. Direct experience designing and implementing core compliance elements (like risk assessments or case management systems) is a significant advantage
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build trust with senior leaders and business partners across the organization

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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