Deputy GDS RMS Independence Group Leader

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Job Description: Deputy GDS RMS Independence Group Leader

Function: GDS Enablement Services

Sub Function: Risk Management Services

Sub Service Function: Independence

Role: Deputy GDS RMS Independence Group Leader

Experience: More than 15 years of relevant experience

Preferred Background: Risk Management, Independence, Ethics, Compliance, Assurance, Audit, with experience in a Big 4 (EY included) or another reputed global professional services firm

About EY:

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over.

The Opportunity:

Risk Management Services (RMS) is an internal function within EY GDS (Global Delivery services), responsible for protecting the organization from the risks that may arise from its professional practice. We work closely with all parts of the organization to identify and manage risks, providing coordinated advice and assistance on broad range of services like Independence, Conflicts, Compliance, regulatory, policy and security issues as well as dealing with claims and queries regarding ethics. Since 2007, the RMS team has been growing rapidly as a Center of Excellence for all standardized quality/compliance related activities.

This role will be part of the largest sub-service function, i.e., Independence within Risk Management Services (RMS) responsible for assisting client-serving teams in maintaining EY's Independence for its existing and prospective audit/non-audit clients. RMS Independence team is currently 1000+ people strong, operating from 3 countries and 5 centers: India (Gurugram, Kochi, Bengaluru), Poland (Wroclaw), Philippines (Manila). The team is closely integrated with Global Independence and has been involved in development of key Independence processes.

This role offers opportunities to work in a dynamic, growth-focused environment, and provides opportunities to closely collaborate with global and regional teams and stakeholders to strengthen the compliance framework and foster a mindset of continuous improvement and client enablement.

Role Intent

Be the integrator and forcemultiplier for the GDS RMS Independence leadership team-translating firm and Global Independence direction into a clear, governed execution plan across GDS Independence processes, locations and competencies. A hybrid strategic-operational leadership role that balances governance, delivery excellence, people leadership, and customer-centric process management. The Deputy GDS RMS Independence Leader acts as the execution engine for the GDS Independence organization-ensuring efficient, compliant, highquality service delivery while enabling transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The role supports the GDS Independence Group Leader and provides daytoday leadership for multilocation teams delivering critical Independence services to EY audit and engagement teams globally, to EY Regions and Countries, and to the parent Global Independence organization. It blends operational excellence, process governance, stakeholder management, and people leadership-while supporting strategic initiatives and global functional priorities. The role ensures consistent, accurate, and customerfocused execution of Independence processes, builds futurefit capabilities, and drives a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

KEY ESSENTIALS OF THE ROLE

PROCESS MANAGEMENT & QUALITY GOVERNANCE

• Own and continuously improve GDS Independence processes, toolkits, SOPs, and knowledge assets.
• Drive a disciplined GDS Independence level adherence to EY Independence policies, Global frameworks, and regulatory expectations in the service delivery
• Maintain robust governance on quality assurance, KPI adherence, SLA performance, and zerosurprise delivery.
• Build a holistic approach to Independence enablement beyond checklists-focusing on insight, technical depth, and advisory mindset.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE & SERVICE DELIVERY

• Oversee daytoday operations across multiple centers and teams supporting global audit engagements.
• Lead forecasting, demand planning, staffing, productivity management, and cost optimization.
• Review operational dashboards, financial metrics, and volume trends; drive decisions to improve efficiency and throughput.
• Ensure readiness for peakperiod delivery, regulatory cycles, and global program milestones.

CUSTOMER CENTRICITY & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Strengthen relationships with Global and Regional Independence teams, Assurance leaders, and EY engagement teams.
• Anticipate stakeholder needs and respond with agility, clarity, and consistent communication.
• Lead governance connects, issue resolution, and experience improvement initiatives.
• Use feedback loops, NPS, and experience metrics to improve team performance and customer trust.

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

• Lead large, diverse teams (across multiple countries and centers) with high entrylevel composition.
• Drive mentorship, coaching, workforce enablement, and capability development (AI/data fluency, process expertise, advisory skills).
• Strengthen succession planning, career pathways, learning journeys, and employee engagement.
• Foster a culture of belonging, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

CONTRIBUTION TO FUNCTIONAL GDS INDEPENDENCE PRIORITIES

• Lead strategic priorities and initiatives for the GDS Independence function
• Support implementation of other GDS Independence functional priorities, including simplification efforts, process redesigns, and tool improvements, and other transformative initiatives.
• Participate in kaizen/continuous improvement programs, and drive implementation
• Align GDS strategies with Global objectives ensuring consistency, scalability, and compliance.

STRATEGY, TECHNOLOGY, DATA & TRANSFORMATION

• Lead execution of strategic programs (e.g., operating model pilots, service catalogue rollout, AI/automation adoption).
• Partner on deployment and adoption of Global Independence systems (GIS, PACE, Mercury/MDM).
• Drive selfserve insights, dashboards, and automation initiatives that remove manual effort.
• Support various Target Operate Model initiatives (Paramount/Horizon/FIT) ensuring seamless change management and cutover readiness.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• 14-15 years of experience in Independence, risk management, compliance, or managed services in global environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of EY Independence policies, auditor independence rules (SEC/PCAOB/IESBA), and EY tools (GIS, PACE, Mercury/MDM).
• Deep experience in leading large teams across locations (10+ years leadership experience).
• Proven ability in operational excellence, service delivery governance, and process modernization.
• Executive presence, strong communication, and ability to influence senior stakeholders.

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