Director, Ethics & Compliance

About the role

This senior position is based in Germany and reports to senior executives of a leading international organization. The Director, Ethics & Compliance will shape and execute the ethics and compliance strategy across multiple European markets, acting as a trusted advisor and champion of a culture of integrity.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and continuously develop the regional Ethics & Compliance strategy, aligning with global standards and local regulations.
• Advise senior leadership on compliance risks, governance, regulatory developments, and internal investigations.
• Strengthen a culture of ethics through training, communication, and leadership engagement.
• Oversee compliance monitoring, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
• Manage internal investigations, ensuring proper escalation, documentation, and resolution.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, Internal Audit, and business units to embed compliance in operational decisions.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and influence senior‑level decision‑making across Europe and globally.

Required profile

• Significant experience leading Ethics & Compliance programs in a multinational or complex international organization.
• Strong expertise in European regulatory frameworks, corporate governance, and compliance risk management.
• Proven ability to influence and advise senior executives in highly complex environments.
• Experience managing internal investigations, compliance monitoring programs, and risk assessment frameworks.
• Collaborative, credible advisory approach with strong leadership skills.
• Ability to balance regulatory obligations with commercial priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of presenting complex topics at executive level.

Required skills