Risk & Controls Manager

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships - all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open - we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Role Summary and Impact

We are looking for a Manager Risk & Controls to join our WPP Media team based in Istanbul. In this role, you will hold primary responsibility for leading the Risk & Controls function for WPP Media Turkey, while also providing support and guidance for Risk & Controls activities across designated CSEE markets.

As part of the wider EMEA Risk & Controls team, you will implement and monitor effective local control frameworks, coordinate audit and compliance activities, and drive continuous improvement across Turkey and the CSEE cluster.

Objectives of the Risk & Control function include:

• being a trusted partner and adviser for the Company in the area of risk, internal controls and compliance;
• driving continuous improvement in the Company’s control environment and fostering ownership and accountability for internal controls at all levels;
• supporting the culture of compliance, ethics and integrity;
• providing training on internal policies, “what good looks like” in relation to controls, supporting controls implementation and demonstrating the value of good controls throughout the Company;
• embracing technology and innovation to optimize risk & control activities and increase level of compliance across the business; and
• building and leveraging relationships to identify risks, anticipate issues and recommend solutions.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Promote and help embed the culture of ethics and integrity across the region through training, support and advising on relevant topics such as anti-bribery and corruption, internal controls, as well as internal policy requirements.
• Serve as a risk & controls subject matter expert / thought leader within the business.
• Be a change agent to lead and effect desired change throughout the Region.
• Be a great business partner; establish and maintain excellent relationships within the team and collaborate effectively with colleagues across WPP Media, WPP and other Networks.  Engage with multiple senior stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Support the design and implementation of financial, operational and compliance controls across Turkey and designated CSEE markets in line with the WPP Internal Control framework, which includes meeting the documentation and evidence standards required.
• Design and operate effective on-going quality review / control monitoring programs as a second line of defense.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, including use of technology, while adapting to the new and evolving challenges and opportunities.
• Reinforce WPP & WPP Media policies, control requirements and communicate updates / changes to the business in a clear and concise manner.
• Be a partner and source of support and guidance for specific areas of change / strategic importance that require controls implementation to enable on-going success.
• Think strategically about our business, develop pragmatic and sustainable solutions to enhance the control environment and streamline and standardise processes, procedures, and controls.
• Coordinate audit activities for the Turkey and designated CSEE markets, liaising with internal and external audit teams (e.g. WPP IA, external auditor) and monitor remediation for all source of assurance (SOX, WPP IA).
• Coordinate / oversee internal control and risk management processes for the market, including business risk maps, internal control self-certifications, market Letter of Representation submissions..

Academic Background & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 5+ years of work experience in industry or consulting in risk and controls, ethics and compliance, business process improvement, risk management, or internal / external audit.

Mandatory Skills

• Familiar with IFRS, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, PCAOB requirements, etc.
• Ability to work independently and apply a structured approach towards balancing multiple demands and priorities in a fast-paced environment and work cross-functionally across different geographies, functions, and employees of diverse backgrounds.
• Experienced in assessing business risk and evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of internal control systems.
• Experienced in driving improvement and creating stronger business relationships, rather than simply enforcing guidelines.
• Approachable with excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Flexibility and openness to grow and take ownership of new projects/tasks/roles.
• Competent in Excel.
• Fluent/ native in Turkish and English

  Desired Skills

• Accounting qualification
• Experience in media and advertising with proven knowledge of core business.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.  

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

  [LD1]Is this standard wording from the People team? Can the People team please review

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