Manager Level – Contracts & Risk Management

This is an exciting opportunity to join the UK&I Consulting Quality Team within EY, a diverse and multi-geography team based in three locations - Belfast, London and India. The Quality Team facilitates the adoption and application of the polices, procedures, methods & tools and principles that EY has put in place globally to ensure that services are delivered to a high standard, as well as ensuring our contractual, regulatory and organisational requirements are met to ensure risk on client engagements is managed.

Working in our Belfast team reporting to the Belfast Team Leader you will provide a wide range of support to the Consulting business including general legal, contract review, client delivery, regulatory and risk management related matters.

The candidate will have working experience of general contracting principles including the drafting of standard contracts, terms and conditions; and other contractual/regulatory documents.

The team is looking for a motivated achiever with specific experience working in a professional services/Legal sector advantageous.

Your responsibilities

The role will include:

• Coordinating closely with supporting teams including Legal, Independence, and Business Resilience. Act as a point of contact for the review, and resolutions of contractual and general risk management related queries including:
  • Business relationships.
  • Liability.
  • Regulatory/Auditor Independence.
  • Data Protection.
  • Third party risk.
  • Terms & Conditions, Confidentiality Agreements and Data Protection.
  • General contracting and sub-contracting principles/practices.
• Review and advise on client agreements, subcontracts, NDAs, teaming agreements (and other framework terms and conditions), with varying levels of complexity and with minimal direction but in accordance with EY’s contract negotiation guidelines and procedures.
• Provide training and guidance to the Consulting Business and other stakeholders regarding Risk Management practices and principles, contract terms and contract review procedures.
• Address contract related issues as they arise, with appropriate escalation to General Counsel and other support functions as required.
• Propose and assist with the development of solutions for the enhancement of Quality processes, practices and contracting.
• Engaging/collaborating with other SME’s to solve complex problems, working closely with the local legal, regulatory, conflicts and Data Protection teams & building professional and trusted relationships.
• Identification and ongoing management of regulatory requirements, including Independence during commercial contracting negotiations.
• Support the deployment of specific Risk Management projects and initiatives.

Skills and attributes for success

You should be able to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the principles of Risk Management, with an ability to break down complex queries with a view to seeking resolution and mitigation.
• Intellectual agility/flexibility to rapidly understand/solve complex risk/contracting problems using their commercial awareness.
• Ability to work with other key stakeholders from Independence, Risk Management, and the wider Quality teams to discuss complex issues and seek resolution.
• Ability to work alongside senior Partners and be able to influence them in the successful design and implementation of quality and risk management practices.
• Ability to be approachable, supportive, responsive and yet be prepared to make and defend difficult decisions on the application of contractual, regulatory and risk principles.
• Ability to present complex & difficult messages and feedback effectively, using a variety of training and influencing techniques.
• A pragmatic problem solver.
• A drive to continuously build and master key technical, functional and professional skills.
• Self-starter and motivated.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Additional skills:
Ideally you should also have an understanding of:

• Working with Government or Public Sector bodies on contractual or procurement related queries.
• Regulatory Independence, GDPR, personal data and client confidentiality requirements.
• Good problem-solving skills required, an ability to disseminate information quickly and then provide proposed solutions or approach.
• Proven experience in a Risk Management, Commercial Contract Negotiator, Procurement or Professional Services role.

Academia

• A university degree is usually preferred, however we would be open to outstanding candidates who may have followed an alternative academic path.
• Fluency in English.