Director, Forum of Firms
New York, NY
Full Time
Executive
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ACCOUNTANTS (IFAC)
During 2024, IFAC shifted its strategic focus to maximizing member value and experience. The Member Value Proposition (MVP) was created and is currently being embedded into all of IFAC’s activities:
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Forum of Firms (FoF) is responsible for directing the activities of the Forum of Firms. The FoF Director is employed by IFAC and seconded to the Forum. The FoF Director directly reports to the FoF Chair (and Transnational Auditors Committee (TAC) Chair), however given the employment arrangement, there is a dotted line of responsibility to the IFAC CEO. The FoF supports global audit quality by coordinating activities among leading international audit networks and stakeholders. This role combines external engagement with operational execution, managing events, communications, and day-to-day processes to ensure effective collaboration across member firms, standard-setters, and IFAC leadership. Success in this role hinges on the ability to build and sustain deep, trusted relationships across a wide spectrum of global stakeholders, while consistently demonstrating the judgment and initiative to act decisively and independently.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential duties and responsibilities include those that are set out below. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Additionally, if an applicant is US-based, provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees will also be able to enroll in our company’s 401 (k) plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan, provided they meet plan requirements.
IFAC welcomes applicants from all geographical locations, and this role can be remote. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At IFAC, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for candidates in the NY-Metropolitan region is $200,000 to $250,000.
IFAC is an equal employment employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.
During 2024, IFAC shifted its strategic focus to maximizing member value and experience. The Member Value Proposition (MVP) was created and is currently being embedded into all of IFAC’s activities:
- IFAC, by connecting and uniting its members, makes the accountancy profession truly global.
- IFAC member organizations are champions of integrity and professional quality and proudly carry their membership as a badge of international recognition.
- IFAC and its members work together to shape the future of the profession through learning, innovation, a collective voice, and commitment to the public interest.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director, Forum of Firms (FoF) is responsible for directing the activities of the Forum of Firms. The FoF Director is employed by IFAC and seconded to the Forum. The FoF Director directly reports to the FoF Chair (and Transnational Auditors Committee (TAC) Chair), however given the employment arrangement, there is a dotted line of responsibility to the IFAC CEO. The FoF supports global audit quality by coordinating activities among leading international audit networks and stakeholders. This role combines external engagement with operational execution, managing events, communications, and day-to-day processes to ensure effective collaboration across member firms, standard-setters, and IFAC leadership. Success in this role hinges on the ability to build and sustain deep, trusted relationships across a wide spectrum of global stakeholders, while consistently demonstrating the judgment and initiative to act decisively and independently.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential duties and responsibilities include those that are set out below. Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.
- Develop and advance the strategic vision of the FoF in support of the public interest, working with and supporting the FoF membership and Chairs (FoF and TAC), and TAC.
- Lead the planning and execution of global FoF meetings, roundtables, and engagement forums with member firms and strategic partners (e.g., standard-setting boards, regulators, IFAC).
- Strengthen and further grow relationships with key stakeholders by serving as the primary liaison between the FoF and external stakeholders to foster relationships, facilitate dialogue, and ensure aligned objectives in support of audit quality.
- Oversee and manage all operational and administrative aspects of the FoF, including budget, invoicing and credit control, member communications, meeting logistics (global and regional), engagement with third parties to ensure tax, audit, and regulatory compliance, and process optimization.
- Ensure seamless coordination and follow-through on event deliverables, including materials, communications, outcomes tracking, and stakeholder reporting.
- Represent the FoF in internal and external meetings, articulating the Forum’s goals, initiatives, and value to the global audit ecosystem.
- Drive continuous improvement of the FoF’s operations and engagement effectiveness, leveraging feedback and data from members and partners.
- Manage budgets, invoices, and resources.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, accounting, public administration, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CA) preferred.
- 15+ years of experience in professional services, global stakeholder engagement, or audit/public policy environments, preferred.
- Strong understanding of audit quality, the global accountancy profession, and standard-setting bodies.
- Broad industry knowledge, including understanding key issues impacting the profession.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior executives, boards, committees, external officials, and diverse cultural groups.
- Excellent negotiation, diplomacy, and issue-resolution skills, with the ability to achieve consensus among varied viewpoints.
- Ability to exercise sound political judgment in interactions with the profession and international regulators.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines, including those imposed externally.
- Commitment to quality processes and high-quality deliverables.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Additionally, if an applicant is US-based, provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees will also be able to enroll in our company’s 401 (k) plan, as well as a deferred compensation plan, provided they meet plan requirements.
IFAC welcomes applicants from all geographical locations, and this role can be remote. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At IFAC, compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for candidates in the NY-Metropolitan region is $200,000 to $250,000.
IFAC is an equal employment employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.
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