Head of Global Ethics & Compliance

The Assistant General Counsel, Head of Global Ethics & Compliance will oversee the American Chemical Society’s Ethics & Compliance Program and foster a culture of transparency and fairness that resonates with ACS employees, members, volunteers, contractors, and the public. As the ACS subject matter expert in global ethics, social safeguards, anti-corruption and other compliance areas, this role will operate as a key collaborator with other leaders across the enterprise in Mission (membership, publications and data), HR, Finance (including Internal Audit, Risk Management, Insurance and Procurement) and Development. Success in this role requires the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, complex, challenging, and changing environment.

The AGC, Ethics & Compliance will report to the General Counsel, operate as an objective function, and provide regular reports to the ACS Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board. The OGC team takes great pride in being a strategic partner to the Society’s mission at large. The ideal candidate will be drawn to the opportunity to thoughtfully create a comprehensive, global program that becomes a sought-after resource that advances ACS’s reputation and success.

Key Responsibilities

• As a member of the OGC team, we share responsibility for:
  • Upholding ACS’s core values and behavioral competencies;
  • Realizing ACS’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and respect in all areas of its mission and operation;
  • Operating from a position of trust; and
  • Succeeding together.
• As an individual contributor and team leader, the role is expected to:

• Develop a comprehensive, global Ethics & Compliance program and thoughtfully promote the importance of an ethical culture;
• Establish the Ethics & Compliance function and team as a strategic resource and trusted source of guidance across the organization;
• Collaborate with leaders and division teams to develop, operationalize and track a comprehensive code as the cornerstone of an ongoing, effective program with related policies, procedures, controls, and systems and related training programs;
• Collaborate with others to advance enterprise risk management and related mitigation and training strategies;
• Working with organizational stakeholders globally, develop and maintain internal controls designed to prevent, detect and address patterns of behavior by employees, volunteers, vendors and others;
• Oversee the Whistleblower/Ethics Hotline/Helpline, conduct assessments and investigations and develop remediation plans as required, and coordinate as appropriate with outside counsel and auditors;
• Provide regular updates to senior management and the Board; and
• Participate in advancing the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion and respect goals and an environment in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with ACS values.

Substantive Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• JD degree from an accredited law school strongly preferred or other graduate degree in compliance related field considered.
• 12+ years of experience with in-depth exposure to global ethics standards, anti-bribery/anti-corruption, social safeguards, sanctions, third party risk, investigations and audit response;
• Experience developing, implementing, promoting and managing inclusive ethics and compliance programs;
• Experience with Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Controls;
• Sound judgement and decision-making ability, with the utmost integrity. 
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex matters into relatable, operational choices;
• Management experience and success developing others;
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, business acumen, sound judgment, diplomatic skill, and executive presence needed;
• CCEP status a plus;
• Privacy program experience a plus;
• Multi-national non-profit experience a major plus; and
• Optimism, patience, and a sense of humor encouraged.

Location:  DC (with hybrid days-in-office option)

EEO/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran