Ethics Specialist (Corporate Integrity & Compliance)

🎯 Role Definition

As an Ethics Specialist, you will be a cornerstone of our corporate integrity framework, responsible for promoting and enforcing the company's Code of Conduct and ethical standards. You will serve as a trusted advisor, guiding employees and leadership through complex ethical dilemmas and ensuring our operations align with both legal requirements and our core values. This pivotal role involves proactive risk assessment, policy development, comprehensive training, and meticulous investigation of potential misconduct. You will be instrumental in championing a culture where ethical behavior is instinctual and integrity is the foundation of every decision.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Compliance Analyst or Coordinator
Paralegal with a focus on corporate law
Human Resources Generalist or Business Partner

Advancement To:

Senior Ethics & Compliance Manager
Director of Corporate Integrity
Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer (CECO)

Lateral Moves:

Senior Internal Auditor
Corporate Risk Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough, objective, and timely internal investigations into allegations of misconduct, including violations of the Code of Conduct, conflicts of interest, and other ethical breaches.
Develop, draft, and continuously update the company's Code of Conduct, anti-corruption policies, and other ethics-related procedures to reflect evolving regulations and best practices.
Design, implement, and deliver engaging and effective ethics and compliance training programs for all levels of the organization, from new hire orientation to specialized leadership sessions.
Manage and administer the company’s anonymous reporting hotline and case management system, ensuring all reports are properly documented, triaged, and addressed.
Provide clear and practical guidance to employees and business leaders on ethical questions, potential conflicts of interest, and the application of company policies to real-world scenarios.
Perform comprehensive ethics and compliance risk assessments across different business units and geographical regions to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies.
Manage the conflict of interest disclosure program, including reviewing submissions, conducting follow-ups, and creating management plans for identified conflicts.
Prepare detailed investigation reports, trend analyses, and program dashboards for senior management, the executive leadership team, and the Board of Directors' Audit Committee.
Act as a key driver in promoting a "speak-up" culture, developing communication campaigns and awareness initiatives to enhance trust and transparency.
Collaborate closely with Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit, and Information Security teams on cross-functional investigations and integrity initiatives.
Oversee the company’s policy on gifts, hospitality, and entertainment, providing guidance and processing approval requests to prevent improper influence.
Analyze data from investigations, culture surveys, and disclosure programs to identify systemic issues, root causes, and trends in misconduct.
Assist in conducting ethics and compliance due diligence on third-party vendors, suppliers, and potential acquisition targets to mitigate third-party risk.
Support the development and implementation of corrective action plans and disciplinary measures resulting from substantiated investigation findings.
Serve as a subject matter expert on key international regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act.
Facilitate and prepare materials for regular meetings of the corporate Ethics & Compliance Committee, documenting minutes and tracking action items.
Develop and manage the annual ethics certification process for key employees, ensuring timely completion and follow-up on any disclosures.
Advise product development and data science teams on the ethical implications of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
Lead the administration and analysis of the company-wide ethical culture survey, translating results into actionable insights and improvement plans.
Monitor the global regulatory landscape for changes in anti-corruption, ethics, and corporate governance laws, and assess their potential impact on the company.

Secondary Functions

Support the preparation of the company's annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report.
Act as a point of contact for routine inquiries regarding ethics policies and procedures.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of investigation protocols, case management tools, and training materials.
Participate in industry forums and professional groups to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in corporate ethics and compliance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Investigation Expertise: Proven ability to conduct sensitive and complex corporate investigations, including interview techniques, evidence collection, and report writing.
Policy Management: Experience in drafting, reviewing, and implementing corporate policies and procedures.
Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of key anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act) and corporate governance principles.
Case Management Systems: Proficiency with ethics reporting and case management software (e.g., Navex, Convercent, OneTrust).
Risk Assessment: Skills in identifying, assessing, and mitigating ethics and compliance-related risks.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Ability to analyze investigation and program data to identify trends and create compelling reports and dashboards for leadership.
Training & Development: Experience in designing and delivering effective training content for adult learners across various platforms (in-person, virtual, e-learning).
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, from conception to completion, with strong organizational skills.

Soft Skills

Unquestionable Integrity & Discretion: Demonstrated ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential information with the utmost professionalism and ethical judgment.
Exceptional Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Analytical & Critical Thinking: Strong problem-solving skills with the capacity to analyze situations, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Interpersonal Influence: Ability to build trust and rapport across all levels of the organization and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Empathy & Objectivity: The capacity to remain impartial and objective while demonstrating empathy and fairness throughout the investigation process.
Sound Judgment: Excellent decision-making capabilities, especially when faced with ambiguity and high-pressure situations.
Resilience & Composure: The ability to remain calm and professional while managing challenging conversations and stressful circumstances.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Business Administration (MBA), or a Master's degree in a related field.
Professional certification such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Law / Pre-Law
Business Administration / Management
Public Policy / Philosophy / Ethics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct experience in a corporate ethics, compliance, internal audit, or related legal/HR role.

Preferred:

Experience working within a publicly-traded, multinational corporation or a highly regulated industry (e.g., finance, healthcare, technology).
Demonstrable experience leading internal investigations from intake to resolution.