Governance Advisor Americas Full Time role through December 31 2024

WSETs purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines spirits and sake.

We are the worlds leading provider of qualifications in wines spirits and sake delivering over 140000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity empowerment dynamism and inclusivity within WSET.

Any offer of employment or your ongoing employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a thorough background check by an independent third party.

NB If you currently work for one of WSETs APPs you may not be eligible to apply for this role subject to your future career plans and the nature of that role. If you work for an APP either in a selfemployed or employed capacity and would like to discuss your eligibility please contact thehiring manager for this role Rosanne Sangiacomo Governance Manager Americas.

Location: Remote Americas

The Governance team is responsible for ensuring the integrity of our qualifications and upholding the interests of our students. Governance is a global department working across five regional teams: Europe UK Middle East and Africa Americas Mainland China and Asia Pacific. The Governance team works with our APP network on initial and continuing APP approval issues policy oversight and advising compliance and regulation issues. Externally the Governance team also works closely with our regulator in the United Kingdom the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Internally the Governance team works closely with a variety of WSET teams including the APP Development Exams Finance and Customer Service teams.

The Governance Advisor (Americas) will support the Governance team in all quality management regulation and compliance activities with a particular focus on Americas though we work as a global team and some support in other regions may be required from time to time. You will administer WSETs quality and compliance processes as well as supporting Approved Program Provider (APP) applications and approvals ongoing monitoring and compliance. WSET is undergoing an exciting period of growth and change with the introduction of new qualifications and subjects and our continued mission to make WSET qualifications accessible to students across the world.

This is a full time role through December 31 2024 with the possibility of extension based on need.

Our Governance Advisor plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of our qualifications and upholding the interests of our students. Here are the main areas of responsibility and activity for this role:

APP Partnership and Oversight:

1. Support the WSET APP application registration approval and ongoing certification process.
2. Review and process applications for APP registration and reapproval in accordance with agreed targets working with the WSET APP Development team.
3. Handle correspondence with/relating to APPs and advise on enquiries relating to the delivery of WSET courses and exams liaising with the APP Development Customer Service and Exams teams as necessary.
4. Periodically review and update APP documentation to develop maintain and accurately capture approved WSET policies procedures and processes.
5. Maintain information and resources for APPs on the WSET online platforms working with the Customer Service team as appropriate.
6. Maintain and update APP records and the WSET website and produce reports for management and internal stakeholders.
7. APP Visits:
• Carry out WSETs required initial Approval and periodic ReApproval visit inperson in the Americas region or virtually.
• Manage completion and storage of all APP visit documentation and ensure followup requirements are actioned.

Quality Management and Regulation:

1. Monitor and report on APP and student compliance in line with WSET policy and procedures investigating noncompliance incidents and recommending/implementing corrective/preventative action and sanctions.
2. Maintain Governances internal compliance records that will be used:
• Operationally to manage ongoing Governance issues; and
• Strategically to identify risks and opportunities for improvement.
3. Develop and administer procedures for monitoring quality standards at APPs.
4. Work with internal and external stakeholders on quality assurance risk regulatory compliance and governance issues.
5. Support Governance Management to maintain WSETs internal quality management system and regulatory compliance.
6. Support Governance Management to review maintain and implement guidance and requested actions from our regulatory body Ofqual and ensure consistency in global Governance processes.
7. Support in monitoring and recording conflicts of interests both internally and across the global APP network working with internal and external stakeholders.

Internal Audit/Compliance:

1. Assist in internal WSET reviews with the Governance Manager including planning delivery and reporting.

Other activities

1. Contribute to the successful operation of the department overall and support other members of the department.
2. Contribute to the successful overall operation of WSET by undertaking such other tasks as may from time to time be requested.
3. Opportunity for involvement in crossfunctional projectbased work with other internal stakeholders.

Who you are:

What were looking for:

1. Bachelors degree.
2. Prior experience in quality assurance risk compliance or regulation will distinguish an applicant for this position. Experience or education in internal audit accounting or finance would also be beneficial.
3. Familiarity with the WSET holding a WSET Level 2 3 or Diploma qualification is desirable as is experience working with a WSET Approved Program Provider
4. Fluency in English required proficiency in other languages highly desirable specifically Spanish or French.
5. Experience working with global teams and sensitivity to cultural and linguistic differences when communicating with international customers and students is essential.
6. Experience with Microsoft CRM Dynamics preferred strong Microsoft Office Suite skills including intermediate knowledge of Excel required.
7. Desire to work for the defined period through December 31 2024.

Personal Attributes

1. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work with a variety of internal stakeholders and build consensus as well as a clientfocus when working with external stakeholders is key.
2. An excellent team worker who takes initiative can be relied upon and is committed to making a difference.
3. Accountable actionoriented and organized: proactively takes ownership of a project or issue. Meticulous attention to detail.
4. Sound planner who anticipates issues prioritizes and can work to deadlines maintaining resilience and a positive approach under pressure.
5. Calm responsive and creative approach to problemsolving
6. Uncompromised integrity: demonstrates high levels of personal and organizational integrity and values in all activities.
7. Forwardlooking and adaptable. Working with a growing global company and crossfunctional teams dynamism flexibility and agility are key to success in this role.

USA benefits

WSET Americas offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees subject to elections and eligibility. Some key highlights of our benefits package include:

• Competitive PTO and Holiday Schedules
• Competitive Health Benefits including Medical Dental Vision Disability and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonus Eligibility
• Retirement Savings

US Applicants Only:

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL:
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop; kneel crouch and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision depth perception peripheral vision and ability to adjust and focus.

DISCLAIMER:
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties skills efforts requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned at any time.

Available to Applicants in Delaware California Connecticut Florida Georgia Kansas Massachusetts Maryland North Carolina New Jersey Nevada New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Washington and Wisconsin.