Vice President, Risk & Compliance

At EFG (ESL FACEIT GROUP), we create worlds beyond gameplay where players and fans become a community. We pride ourselves in having a corporate social responsibility which is that "IT'S NOT GG, UNTIL IT'S GG FOR ALL." Our passion, craft, and DNA are aligned to create and shape the world of esports, gaming tournaments, leagues, events, and holistic ecosystems through our millions of players, fans, and heroes, as well as through our people and culture. This is one of many reasons why EFG is a magical workplace, where anything is possible and where you will thrive and experience a game-changing career.

EFG is owned by the Savvy Games Group, a games and esports company formed with a mission to drive the long-term growth and development of esports and the broader games industry, and one of the most active and prolific investors in the games industry. As EFG’s shareholder Savvy Games Group has a vested interest in ensuring the growth and success of EFG, and a corporate and legal obligation to ensure the proper and compliant functioning of risk management and compliance within EFG.  

The Role:

EFG is seeking a full time Vice President, Risk & Compliance, to oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of risk management and compliance programs within EFG. The position will be an integral part of the leadership of our international legal, governance, risk and compliance team. The Vice President, Risk & Compliance, will report to our Chief Legal Officer and Savvy Games Group’s SVP of Risk & Compliance, with a dotted line to the EFG Board of Director’s Audit Committee. You will be responsible for providing risk management and compliance support and advice to our various boards and directors, global operating entities, and the global business, finance and legal teams. You will proactively lead the creation, implementation and maintenance of our risk and compliance policies and company-wide training and awareness efforts. You must have substantial experience in risk management and compliance, excellent judgement in balancing risks with business strategy, a proven ability to learn new areas and skills, and function independently in a demanding fast-paced environment. You will also be directly supporting multiple lawyers located globally on risk and compliance matters that arise in contract negotiations, commercial undertakings and M&A activity. We are looking for a highly adaptable and collaborative person who can handle ambiguity and rapidly shifting priorities with flexibility, patience, and poise.

The ideal candidate for this position will reside in London, New York, or remotely in Europe.

What you will do:

1. Risk Management:

• Developing, reviewing, and monitoring the risk management policies, including but not limited to the following policies:
• Enterprise risk, investment risk, and operational risk policies;
• Risk Register;
• Risk Appetite Statement; and
• Business Continuity Framework.

• Lead and manage EFG’s Enterprise Risk.
• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments (top down and bottom up) across various business units, processes, and projects, identifying potential risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and department heads to integrate risk management considerations into strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Lead enterprise risk management.
• Guide, advise and support, and sometimes lead and manage, EFG Investment Risk.
• Direct the development of the risk mitigation framework against esports and gaming-specific risks.
• Oversee the development of implementation/contingency plans to minimize risk within established guidelines in coordination with risk owners.
• Oversee the audit reports and provide corrective action recommendations, as and when needed, to reduce non-conformities and non-compliance. Oversee EFG's progress in achieving its strategic objectives and analyse reasons for shortcomings.
• Support, advise and endorse the management and procurement of EFG’s various insurance policies (managed by Procurement in the Finance team).
• Conduct risk awareness and training programs for employees to enhance risk understanding and promote a risk-conscious culture.
• Prepare and present regular risk reports to senior management and the board of directors, highlighting key risk management & Business Continuity activities and recommendations for risk optimization.

Compliance:

• Lead, develop, manage and advise on EFG’s compliance efforts and obligations.
• Keep abreast of the latest developments in the field of compliance, including the esports and gaming industry, for recommendation and implementation purposes.
• Communicate and educate relevant EFG's business and operational teams, including Legal and Finance, of any regulatory and statutory updates.
• Advising EFG's business and operational teams, including Legal and Finance, on the implementation of compliance programs.
• Reporting on compliance matters to the Audit Committee.
• Developing, reviewing and monitoring the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

General:

• Lead the development of a practical risk and compliance strategy that aligns with EFG’s goals and those of Savvy Games Group.
• Develop risk and compliance key performance indicators and continuously monitor progress toward the business plan.
• Ensure that the risk and compliance business plan is well communicated and understood at all levels of the organization.
• Optimize resources and ensure that risk and compliance organization is efficient and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Develop risk and compliance yearly budget, ensuring alignment to plans and needs, including esports and gaming industry requirements. Develop processes ensuring all activities are set, and stakeholders identified within the esports and gaming context. Support the implementation of control systems.
• Manage the implementation of policies in line with applicable international standards, best practices, customer requirements, and laws and regulations specific to the esports and gaming industry in coordination with business and operational teams, including Legal and Finance.
• Manage and support shareholder risk and compliance requests and interactions, including shareholder governance, risk, compliance and legal department and internal audit.
• Advise EFG, its senior executives, managers, and other employees, at all levels of seniority, on risk management and compliance matters relating to our business operations.
• Advise and support the business, legal, tax, finance and other corporate functions on external and internal commercial transactions and strategic activities in relation to risk management and compliance.
• Maintain and disseminate current knowledge of applicable enacted and proposed local, national, regional and international risk and compliance laws and regulations.
• Monitor adherence to the EFG risk and compliance policies and processes by devising and supporting efforts to implement and maintain internal reporting mechanisms around company policies and practices.
• Assist, review and draft risk and compliance language for RFPs, contracts and other legal documents, including supporting the company’s M&A activities.
• Support and advise on procurement efforts.
• Oversee and effectively manage consultants and/or outside corporate counsel and their associated services, advice and billing in relation to risk management and compliance efforts.
• Any other ad-hoc assignments as directed by the Chief Legal Officer or the Savvy Games Group General Counsel and/or SVP of Risk & Compliance.

Communications:

• Internal communication
• Coordinate risk and compliance activities throughout EFG.
• External communication
• Industry associations and organizations.
• Regulatory agencies.
• Customers and suppliers, as needed to ensure compliance with contractual requirements and other obligations.
• Serve as the company lead for any communications with the shareholder (Savvy Games Group), regulatory authorities and the public on risk management and compliance matters.

What you need:

• Bachelor's degree in business, law, or a related field.
• Advanced degree or certification in risk management or compliance preferred.
• At least 10 to 15 years relevant risk management and compliance experience, preferably in a multinational technology in-house setting (esports and/or gaming experience a bonus).
• Experience developing and implementing risk management and compliance programs.
• Working knowledge of local, national, regional and international risk and compliance laws and regulations and experience with industry ‘best practice’.
• Demonstrate a high degree of executive presence, with a high level of confidence and agility exhibited in client and partner interactions. Possess excellent client-service skills and an ability to interact with and effectively advise senior corporate leaders. The ability to establish credibility at senior organizational levels and garner respect from all levels of the organization. In key client interactions, must present ideas logically, assertively and effectively. Facilitate consensus and use it effectively to resolve conflict and overcome resistance.
• Think logically and exercise well-developed and independent judgement to produce solutions under pressure. Demonstrate experienced and seasoned strategic and analytic approach to solving clients' legal needs. Demonstrate professional and personal ethics and integrity and illustrate an ability to influence decisions through informal authority and interactions.
• Understand and incorporate enterprise-wide strategy and priorities into daily tasks and assignments. Demonstrate business acumen.
• Demonstrate effective leadership skills and instincts and executive presence. Have experience managing the risk management and compliance group or have served as a key deputy to a senior team member. Exhibit leadership through example, model inclusion and respect, and inspire loyalty and trust.
• Must have excellent organisational, time management and communication skills, and the ability to multitask in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to work a varied schedule based on the needs of the team.
• Ability to work autonomously and learn new software skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in the country in which application is made.
• Additional languages are a plus.
• Ability to travel (domestic and international).
• Affinity for esports and gaming is a plus.

EFG is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Each of our brands plays a significant role in creating worlds beyond gameplay.

They build, connect, and nurture beyond game ecosystems to unlock more fun, fame, and fortune for gamers across the globe.

• At ESL we create worlds where everybody can be somebody
• At FACEIT we create a world where the community has the power to shape video games
• At DreamHack we create a world where the gaming community comes to life

Firmly rooted in our values, EFG is an affirmative action employer that celebrates being an equal-opportunity workplace. Our unwavering commitment to fair employment extends to all individuals, regardless of their race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, marital status, gender identity, or Veteran status.