Compliance & Investigations Manager

Rivian and VW Group Technology • Palo Alto, CA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

RV Tech seeks an entrepreneurial, hands-on Compliance & Investigations Manager to help establish the Corporate Compliance Function from its foundation. Reporting to the Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), this high-impact role is the operational expert responsible for operationalizing and refining a proactive Compliance Management System (CMS) across our dynamic, high-technology environment. About the Role Working closely with Legal and Internal Audit, you will play a critical role in building the operational backbone of RV Tech’s compliance function. You will execute the implementation of the CMS and lead day-to-day investigations. You will be responsible for operationalizing the program, conducting the foundational risk assessment and ensuring our joint venture adheres to a complex web of global regulations. While leveraging the robust framework of Rivian’s existing CMS as a foundation, you will use the outcomes of this risk analysis to build a dedicated compliance program that is specially tailored to the unique risk landscape and dynamic needs of our high-technology environment. You are not just managing a program; you are collaborating to curate a culture of integrity that enables speed and innovation. This role is located in our Palo Alto, California office, and offers a standard hybrid schedule with the expectation of being in the office three days a week.

Requirements

• Track Record: 5-7 years of progressive experience in Corporate Compliance, Legal, or GRC consulting, specifically within dynamic high-tech, automotive, or software environments.
• Domain Expertise: Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience as an in-house Ethics & Compliance professional or in high-stakes risk advisory (e.g., corporate crime, internal investigations).
• Investigative Depth: Proven ability and hands-on experience leading sensitive internal investigations and audits with discretion and procedural rigor.
• Program Implementation: Demonstrated ability to deploy innovative, low-friction compliance frameworks that reduce bureaucracy while ensuring robust regulatory adherence.
• Project Leadership: Strong deadline-centric project management skills, with the agility to drive multiple regulatory workstreams simultaneously in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Proactive Risk Management: "See around corners" mindset; ability to identify and remediate emerging issues before they escalate into critical business risks.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Proven success partnering with technical and engineering teams to operationalize policies and code of conduct obligations without stifling innovation.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and influence decisions at all organizational levels, from engineering to the C-suite.
• Pragmatic Problem Solving: Highly self-driven approach to resolving legal and business challenges, balancing commercial goals with compliance obligations.
• Credentials: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Flexibility: Willingness to travel as required to support business needs.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (JD, LLM) or professional certification (CCEP, CFE) is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• CMS Operations: Build and launch a bespoke CMS tailored to the unique risk landscape of an agile joint venture, utilizing Rivian’s framework as a foundational baseline.
• Risk Assessment: Partner with the Head of GRC to coordinate and execute comprehensive compliance risk assessments, translating findings into actionable mitigation strategies.
• Strategic Risk Intelligence: Proactively monitor emerging regulatory trends to deploy innovative, non-bureaucratic solutions that strengthen organizational resilience without slowing velocity.
• Program Rollout: Lead the end-to-end project management of the CMS rollout, ensuring compliance elements are operationally embedded into business workflows rather than just documented.
• Policy Management: Apply disciplined project management to ethics initiatives, ensuring robust documentation, transparent tracking, and accountability across all business units.
• Continuous Improvement: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program effectiveness, leveraging data insights to drive continuous process optimization.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Drive alignment across engineering and business teams to ensure the sustainability of ethics programs, serving as the primary trusted advisor on regulatory obligations.
• Curriculum Design: Develop and deliver audience-specific training and communications that engage leadership and embed a culture of integrity across the organization.
• Manage Reporting Channels: Operationalize and manage the whistleblower hotline and reporting platform, ensuring a distinct and secure channel for RV Tech employees.
• Lead Investigations: Conduct internal investigations into alleged violations of the Code of Conduct, keeping strict documentation and root cause analysis to support remediation strategies.
• Policy Development: Draft and maintain the Internal Investigations Procedure, ensuring it meets organizational justice standards and is consistently applied.

Benefits

• Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26.
• Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment.
• Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees