Director Global Compliance

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

The Director of Global Compliance serves as a key leader within Xylem’s global Controllership organization, responsible for ensuring the design, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of a world‑class internal controls and compliance environment. This role oversees Xylem’s global SOX program, leads compliance strategy across all regions, and partners closely with senior leadership, Finance, IT, Legal, Operations, and Internal Audit to strengthen governance, mitigate risk, and drive accountability across the enterprise.

The Director of Global Compliance will guide major transformation initiatives—including Xylem’s global ERP modernization—ensuring internal controls, process rigor, and compliance requirements are embedded throughout the project lifecycle. The Director will also lead the global compliance team, develop talent, and foster a culture of ethical behavior, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Location: Hybrid, based in Charlotte, NCTravel: ~20% (Domestic & Global)

Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities:

• Partner with stakeholders and business partners across Xylem to evaluate internal control design and implementation, ensuring a best-in-class internal control framework addressing key financial and business risks.

• Oversee the activities of the global compliance team, including training and development of personnel.

• Oversee major transformation initiatives, including the global ERP modernization program, ensuring controls, processes, and governance are embedded throughout project lifecycles.

• Ensure compliance activities are aligned and integrated with broader strategic initiatives across the organization.

• Maintain comprehensive SOX documentation through Xylem GRC tools (Workiva), including narratives, risk assessments, and risk and control matrices.

• Work with local teams to prepare for an efficient audit and raise concerns in a timely manner to ensure appropriate management response

• Partner with Internal Audit in the execution of testing procedures supporting the development and evaluation of management’s assessment and reporting on Xylem’s effectiveness of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR).

• Liaise with external audit as they conduct reviews within the region. 

• Lead company-wide training and cross functional education programs to continuously enhance internal control understanding, quality, and framework.

• Share updates to the Xylem Control Framework/Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)requirements as needed.

• Plan, prepare, and carry out compliance reviews for select units within the Region. Reviews can cover the following: SOX reviews, balance sheet reviews, and revenue recognition practices as applicable.

• Work closely with Regional accounting leaders and local business unit finance leads to help close gaps identified via internal & external audit Reviews.  Track findings and documentation addressing remediation.

• Manage ethics and compliance activities, including conducting whistleblower and hotline investigations, preparing case documentation, communicating outcomes, and ensuring corrective actions are properly implemented.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and maturity of the internal controls and compliance programs.

• Maximize the use of Workiva and other tools to support Xylem’s compliance function

• Assist with ad hoc tasks related to compliance as needed.

 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Offer guidance and establish best practices across the various divisions and the shared service organization.

• Assist with special projects within the controllership function as needed.

• Comply with Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct

• Observe occupational safety and accident prevention regulations.

• Establish a positive & collaborative atmosphere in the company.

Key Competencies:

• Building acumen

• Finance project management

• Business partnership

• Influencing

• Continuous improvement mindset

• Inspiring accountability

• Cross-boundary collaboration

• Intelligent risk management

Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required; a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master’s degree in an audit/compliance discipline would be considered a plus.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or other designation preferred

• 8+ years of accounting/audit/compliance experience

• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing at least one direct report

• Experience in US GAAP and SOX/Internal Controls

• Ability to adapt to change quickly

• Ability to work with people from many different departments

• Ability to communicate well with others

• Advanced Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and OneStream skills

• SAP and/or ERP Implementation experience a plus

• Travel 20%

Why Xylem?

We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our benefits include:

· Paid parental leave, maternity support, and fertility benefits

· Flexibility and hybrid work options where applicable

· Health, dental, and vision insurance from day one

· Emotional health and wellness programs and Volunteer program (Watermark)

· Paid time off (PTO)/Flexible time off (FTO) and paid holidays

· Career development, advancement, tuition reimbursement, and student loan forgiveness

· Generous retirement savings plan with company contribution

· Employee recognition and discount programs

Ready to grow your career while making a difference? Join a team that values your skills, supports your development, and empowers you to help solve global water challenges.

Xylem does not provide sponsorship for this position.

The estimated salary range for this position is $165,000 to $185,000 plus bonus.   Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range.  At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.

#LI-RR1

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment. 

Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation