Director - Independence - Quality & Risk Management

Job Description Director, Independence:

Role Overview:

The Director Independence will be a key leadership member within the firms Quality & Risk Management function, responsible for shaping and advancing the firms independence, ethics, and regulatory compliance agenda. This role plays a strategic part in safeguarding the firms brand and ensuring alignment with global and domestic regulatory standards. The Director will lead critical independence processes, provide subject matter expertise to senior leadership, and drive enterprise wide initiatives that strengthen the firms risk posture and culture of quality.

Location: Gurgaon / Mumbai

Pref: Big 4

Key Responsibilities:

- Oversee the assessment of relationship and conflict checks, non-audit services and independence clearances for complex and high value client engagements.

- Lead all major Independence processes, ensuring full compliance with professional, regulatory, and internal standards.

- Manage end to end operations of the Global Independence System (GIS) and Independence Audit processes.

- Interpret, operationalize, and continuously enhance the firms Independence framework in alignment with global and local regulatory requirements (ICAI, SEBI, RBI, and international policy standards).

- Ensure consistent communication and reinforcement of independence related policies across the organization.

- Drive efficiency and control enhancements through automation and process improvement of independence workflows.

- Support the broader implementation of ISQM and QC 1000 requirements applicable to Independence operations.

- Lead and participate in strategic risk management initiatives, contributing expertise to firm wide quality and compliance priorities.

Skills & Experience:

- 8-10 years of progressive experience in independence, compliance, risk governance, or related quality and risk domains.

- Deep understanding of ISQM, quality control frameworks, and independence regulations.

- Experience handling regulatory inspection submissions to bodies such as NFRA and PCAOB (preferred).

- Proven ability to design, refine, and automate compliance and independence processes.

- Strong project management skills with demonstrated capability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.

- High accuracy orientation with strong attention to detail in documentation and reporting.

- Strong analytical thinking and problem solving acumen.

- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in high visibility, senior level cross functional environments.

Qualifications:

- CA / CS / LLB, or an equivalent professional qualification in compliance, risk management, or related fields (preferred).

- Proven track record of independently leading high impact compliance or risk transformation programs.

- Strong communication and presentation capabilities, with the ability to collaborate across the firm and engage effectively with regulators.