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Aditya, Risk & Compliance Manager at Google: Advize Career Interview
A career in risk and compliance management offers a dynamic and impactful path, as evidenced by Aditya's journey.
A "big four accounting" internship at PWC transitioned into forensic consulting and a global anti-bribery program, showcasing the field's versatility.
Aditya's current role at Google involves proactive training, vendor risk assessments, and reactive incident management, highlighting the crucial role of this field in mitigating financial and reputational risks in large corporations.
A day in the role encompasses risk assessments, mitigation planning, and system overhauls, demanding detail-orientation and analytical thinking.
The work is collaborative, rewarding, and exposes individuals to diverse business units and complex regulations.
While challenges exist in ensuring policy adherence, the ability to communicate effectively and highlight potential consequences is key.
This field values motivation, professional skepticism, and networking, with entry-level positions in accounting, auditing, compliance analysis, or legal roles providing strong foundations.
Building a network and finding mentors are crucial for career success, along with strong academics and social skills.
The interview ultimately paints a picture of a challenging, yet highly rewarding career path, full of variety and impactful contributions.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Aditya Ravikumar
Risk & Compliance Manager
UC Irvine, 2014
UCLA Andersson, MBA (in progress)
Economics
Technology
Legal
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google
Aditya's career progressed from a "big four accounting recruiting path," starting with an internship and full-time role at PWC, where they transitioned from core audit to forensic consulting, managing a global anti-bribery due diligence program and gaining experience in "regulatory risk." This experience led to a role at the client company, furthering their expertise in risk and compliance management, demonstrating a career built on "building the skillset on the job and building the relationships on the job."
Main Responsibilities of a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google
Aditya's career in risk management at Google involved both proactive measures, such as "routinely train[ing] employees" on the code of conduct and conducting risk assessments of vendors, and reactive measures, including investigating allegations of code of conduct violations and managing incidents involving vendors with access to sensitive employee data. This experience highlights the multifaceted nature of risk management in a large multinational corporation, particularly the need for careful vendor management and the significant financial and reputational consequences of compliance failures, as "foreign corrupt practices act violations are not cheap."
A Day in the Life of a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google
Aditya's role as a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google involves a multifaceted approach to risk management, encompassing "risk assessments from start to finish," including designing mitigation plans. A significant project involved overhauling access management systems, balancing ease of access with robust security protocols, and developing incident management processes for responding to and preventing security breaches, creating postmortem reports for leadership.
Most Important Skills for a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, emphasizes the importance of being "detail oriented" and possessing "analytical thinking" skills for a successful career in risk management, citing the need to understand intricate business operations and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders. The ability to clearly articulate recommendations, as Aditya explains with the example of investigations, is crucial for gaining leadership buy-in and minimizing unnecessary questions.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Risk And Compliance Manager At Google
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is "working with people to kind of solve problems," while simultaneously gaining broad exposure across diverse business units—from sales and engineering to government relations—to ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR and best practices. This collaborative problem-solving, coupled with continuous learning and exposure to "really cool projects," makes the work engaging and insightful.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google
Aditya's biggest challenge as a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google is ensuring adherence to policies and procedures, especially when facing urgent situations; effective communication, highlighting "potential consequences," proves key to gaining cooperation and fostering understanding of the importance of compliance, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
Favorite Parts of Working at Google as a Risk and Compliance Manager
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, enjoys the problem-solving aspect of the field, stating "I love working with people to solve problems," and finds the versatility of risk management skills highly appealing, applicable across diverse industries. The growing complexity of global regulations and the rise of AI ensure the continued relevance and human element of this career path for years to come.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Tech, According To A Google Risk And Compliance Manager
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, highlights the importance of "motivation and drive" combined with "a healthy level of professional skepticism" for success in the industry. The role requires resilience to overcome challenges and effective communication to navigate stakeholder interactions, ultimately adding value by identifying and mitigating potential risks, as exemplified by instances where Aditya's work prevented negative outcomes.
What A Risk And Compliance Manager At Google Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Risk And Compliance Industry
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, wishes they had better understood "the perception that others have of folks in this function," noting some initial skepticism towards risk management processes. This unexpected challenge, however, made the experience "more interesting" and ultimately a valuable learning opportunity, highlighting the importance of practical experience over prior assumptions.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Risk And Compliance Managers At Google
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, suggests entry-level accounting or auditing roles as strong springboards into the field, citing the development of "detail-oriented" and "critical thinking skills" as crucial. Other viable options include compliance analyst positions and legal roles focusing on contract review, which build foundational knowledge of laws and regulations, ultimately strengthening "essential skills for a risk and compliance manager."
Significant Career Lesson From A Risk And Compliance Manager At Google
Aditya, a Risk & Compliance Manager at Google, emphasizes the importance of "building a good network" and finding mentors as the most significant career lesson. This approach, involving identifying individuals in desired future roles ("find someone that is in a role that you want to be in five years") provides invaluable insights and guidance, proving far more effective than solely relying on speculation.
College Experiences That Helped a Risk and Compliance Manager at Google Succeed
Aditya's success stemmed from strategically planning a career path, "identifying what was necessary...and following those steps," including strong academics and extensive networking, particularly within the accounting association. Beyond academics, Aditya emphasized the importance of developing social skills and diverse interests, noting that "developing those social skills...is crucially important" for both professional and personal fulfillment, impacting career trajectory and adaptability.
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