Overview
Established in the region for 40 years, PwC has around 12,000 people in 12 countries across the region: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Our regional team operates across the Middle East bringing international experience delivered within the context of the region and its culture. We can bring the collective knowledge and experience of more than 370,000 people across the entire global PwC network in advisory, assurance and tax to help you find the value you are looking for.
In this capacity, you will act as a trusted advisor to engagement teams, senior leadership, and key stakeholders guiding them to identify, assess, and mitigate independence risks while promoting a culture of transparency, objectivity, and trust across the firm.
Position Summary
As a Senior Manager, you will oversee the strategic execution of PwC’s independence policies and guidance across all Lines of Service. Your primary role will include review of non-assurance scope of services for audit clients subject to SEC (US Securities and Exchange Commission) independence rules and advising business teams on permissibility.
You will review, interpret and update independence policies to align with evolving regulatory requirements. Your role includes leading risk assessments, overseeing complex scope of service consultations, and ensuring consistency and efficiency in independence practices across the Middle East region.
You will collaborate closely with Partners and Directors to anticipate potential independence issues, develop practical solutions, and maintain a commercial yet compliant outlook. Additionally, you will mentor and coach team members, driving excellence in technical capability and professional judgment.
Key Responsibilities:
– Perform detailed reviews on services and draft engagement letters proposed to clients subject to SEC independence rules.
– Lead complex independence consultations, reviews, and scope of service assessments.
– Oversee and enhance policies, procedures, and digital tools supporting independence monitoring.
– Drive the design and delivery of independence training across Lines of Service.
– Supervise regional independence reviews and scope of service permissibility evaluations that includes complex service offerings for SEC independence restricted clients.
– Partner with leadership to embed independence awareness in business strategy and client engagements.
– Provide oversight on the preparation of regulatory reports, communications, and quality management submissions.
– Identify efficiency opportunities through process automation and continuous improvement.
Skills and Attributes:
– Proven ability to balance commercial needs with risk management/ independence requirements.
– Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills.
– Deep understanding of global independence regulations (IFAC, SEC, PCAOB, IESBA).
– Excellent analytical, communication, and coaching capabilities.
– Ability to work autonomously while providing strategic guidance to teams.
– Experience managing multidisciplinary and cross-border engagements.
Qualifications and Experience:
– Minimum 7+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role within Independence, Risk, or Regulatory Compliance.
– Professional qualifications (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CA, or equivalent) preferred.
– Strong command of English (Arabic proficiency is an advantage).
– Demonstrated experience in professional services, ideally within a Big 4 audit firms.
Other skill sets: Learning Agility, Empathy, Investigative Decision Making, Compliance Risk Assessment, Budget Monitoring, Business Ethics, Operational Risk Management, Accepting Feedback, Rapid Experimentation, Compliance Awareness, Embracing Change, Code of Ethics, Developing Policies and Guidelines, Compliance Program Implementation, Business Expansion, Regulatory Reporting, Accounting Practices, Social Compliance, Regulatory Guidelines, Creativity, Compliance Review, Onboarding Process Design, Influence, Emotional Regulation, Ethics Training, Risk Management Program Development, Active Listening, Relationship Building, Risk Management Standards, Professional Courage, Legal Compliance, Policy and Procedures, Analytical Thinking, Metrics and Reporting, Communication, Investigation, Inclusion, Corporate Compliance Programs, Storytelling, Well Being, Service Excellence, Risk Analysis, Compliance Oversight, Teamwork, Self-Awareness, Optimism, Compliance and Standards, Coaching and Feedback, Ethical Standards, Intellectual Curiosity, Compliance Training, Strategic Questioning.
About PwC Middle East
At PwC, we measure success by our ability to create the value that our clients and our people are looking for. Our reputation lies in building lasting relationships with our clients and a focus on delivering value in all we do. We’re a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 236,000 people who are committed to delivering world-class capabilities and quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Established in the region for 40 years, PwC Middle East employs over 4,200 people across 12 countries. Complementing our depth of industry expertise and breadth of skills is our sound knowledge of local business environments across the Middle East region. Our tailored solutions help our clients meet the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the Middle East market and beyond.
