Risk and Compliance - Independence, Ethics and Business Conduct - Director

About the role A career in Independence within FCS provides the opportunity to shape and reinforce integrity based decision making across PwC. As a Director in the Independence Office, you will play a critical leadership role in promoting, overseeing and continuously enhancing compliance with independence requirements, helping to protect the firm’s regulatory, litigation and reputational standing. You will lead a team that provides strategic guidance on PwC’s independence policies and the broader regulatory environment. You will work closely with senior leadership and engagement teams across Lines of Service (xLoS) in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as with global Independence and Risk teams, to ensure robust, consistent and high quality independence assessments. A key focus of this role is to bring senior experience in dealing with regulatory inspections (including PCAOB, MoF, CSRC, HK AFRC and UK AFRC), strengthening the firm’s readiness, responses and remediation related to independence. ________________________________________ Key Responsibilities: Leadership & Strategy • Lead the Independence Assessment function for CN/HK/TW, setting strategic priorities that align with firmwide risk management objectives. • Serve as a senior advisor to partners and business leadership on complex independence matters, including new services, new audit opportunities, and regulatory developments. • Represent the Independence Office in key governance forums, risk committees and major client acceptance/continuance discussions. Independence Assessment & Advisory • Oversee and provide sign off on significant or high risk independence assessments and relationship checks for local and cross border engagements. • Provide authoritative guidance on the application of independence rules and PwC policy to emerging and complex scenarios (e.g. new technologies, new business models, alliances). • Act as escalation point for independence queries from CN/HK/TW and overseas engagement teams, balancing commercial considerations with regulatory and reputational risk. Quality, Processes & Technology • Establish and maintain robust review processes over independence assessments, including quality reviews of work performed by regional teams and Service Delivery Centres (e.g. Chengdu SDC). • Identify process gaps and opportunities to standardise, simplify and strengthen independence procedures and controls. • Sponsor and drive enhancements to systems used for independence assessments, including the automation and digitalisation of manual processes, in collaboration with Technology and global Independence teams. • Monitor key performance and quality indicators, and prepare regular reporting to regional and global leadership. Regulatory & Policy Management • Monitor changes in relevant independence and professional standards (e.g. regulatory, professional bodies, network standards) and assess business impact. • Lead localisation and implementation of global independence policies for CN/HK/TW, ensuring clarity and practicality for engagement teams. • Lead and coordinate the Independence Office’s support for regulatory inspections and reviews (including PCAOB, MoF, CSRC, HK AFRC and UK AFRC) from an independence perspective, including: o planning and readiness assessments; o coordinating collection and review of independence documentation; o engaging directly with regulators on independence related queries; o analysing inspection findings and root causes; and o designing, implementing and monitoring remediation and continuous improvement actions. • Provide regular updates to firm leadership on regulatory expectations, inspection trends and independence related risk themes. Stakeholder Engagement & Capability Building • Build strong, collaborative relationships with xLoS leadership, Partners, Risk & Quality, Legal and other enabling functions across CN/HK/TW and the global network. • Design and oversee independence training, communications and awareness initiatives tailored to different grades and business units, including content that reflects recent regulatory inspection findings and expectations. • Coach and mentor Independence Office team members, fostering a high performing, inclusive and development oriented culture. ________________________________________ Requirements Technical / Professional • University degree in any discipline; advanced degree and/or relevant professional qualification (e.g. CICPA, HKICPA, ACCA, CPA, CFA, legal qualification) preferred. • 12+ years of relevant experience in professional services, regulatory/compliance, risk management or related fields, with substantial exposure to independence, ethics or audit/regulatory matters. • Demonstrated experience in interacting with or supporting regulatory inspections (e.g. PCAOB, MoF, CSRC, HK AFRC, UK AFRC or similar regulators), particularly on independence. • Deep understanding of independence rules and regulatory frameworks affecting audit, assurance and advisory practices (Big 4 experience is a must). • Strong analytical skills and commercial acumen, capable of balancing risk management with business needs in complex situations. • Proven experience leading and managing teams, and overseeing complex workflows across multiple locations. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Chinese (Mandarin required; Cantonese an advantage). Personal Attributes • High level of integrity and sound judgment, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders. • Strategic thinker with a hands on approach; comfortable operating both at detail and big picture levels. • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, able to build trust and alignment across diverse teams and cultures. • Problem solver who is proactive, resilient and comfortable dealing with ambiguity and change. • Passionate about making a positive impact on the firm’s culture, quality and reputation.