Forensics - Crisis and Investigations - Senior Manager - Chicago

Despite the best efforts of compliance, legal, risk, security and information technology departments, organizations in crisis face uncertainty when disruption occurs. Clients call upon EY to deploy multidisciplinary teams of former law enforcement officers, forensic accountants, compliance professionals and technology specialists to coordinate response activities and timelines, collect critical information and business intelligence, investigate suspicious activity, summarize procedures and outcomes, and streamline communications and reporting during critical business events.

The opportunity

EY’s Forensic & Integrity Services practice advises corporations and government clients on complex matters requiring crisis management, fact-based and digital investigations, insider threat services, crisis and incident preparedness, and threat intelligence. As a Senior Manager, you will play a key role in the growth of the Crisis & Investigations solution by leading multidisciplinary teams, directing complex engagements and helping clients navigate high-stakes events. You will work across industries and with clients’ legal counsel, internal audit, compliance, security and executive stakeholders, applying deep subject-matter knowledge and broad sector experience to deliver practical, actionable outcomes.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, planning, execution and quality of a portfolio of complex forensic, crisis management and investigative engagements.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams responding to allegations of fraud, corruption, regulatory noncompliance, accounting irregularities, cyber incidents, insider threats and other critical business events.
• Work with client legal counsel and internal audit, compliance, risk, security, human resources and technology functions to define scope, develop workplans, assess evidence and resolve operational challenges.
• Oversee information gathering, interviews, transaction or control testing, document review, digital investigative procedures, business intelligence and analysis of relevant facts.
• Communicate progress, emerging risks, preliminary observations and escalation matters clearly and promptly to senior client and engagement stakeholders.
• Review and deliver high-quality work products, including investigation plans, executive updates, summaries of procedures, findings and observations, recommendations and final reports.
• Apply relevant EY methodologies, professional standards and quality and risk management requirements throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities within clients’ industries and translate complex information into practical, actionable insights.
• Develop trusted, long-term relationships across a network of existing and prospective clients and contribute to proposals, market activity and business development.
• Lead, coach and develop team members through timely feedback, challenging assignments and opportunities that build technical, commercial and leadership capability.
• Promote collaboration across EY’s global multidisciplinary network and use data, AI and advanced technology appropriately to improve engagement delivery and client outcomes.

Skills and attributes for success

• Manage the key components of a portfolio of forensic projects, including strategy, planning and execution.
• Develop long-term relationships across a network of existing and potential clients to maximize business development opportunities.
• Continually deepen your understanding of clients’ industries and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop your team through ongoing coaching and feedback, setting challenging goals and ensuring team members have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to grow.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Law, Finance or a related field,
• 8+ years of significant, related work experience.
• Exceptional financial, analytical and technical skills.
• Significant experience managing large, complex engagements.
• At least one professional designation, such as CPA, CFA or CFE, or the commitment to obtain an approved certification within the first year of employment.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the confidence to communicate complex technical concepts to a wide range of audiences.
• A quantifiable history of business development success.
• The ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary
• Access to reliable transportation to and from the EY office and client sites. A driver’s license is strongly recommended because ride-share and public transportation options may not be available in all locations

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Master’s degree
• Relevant crisis management or investigations leadership experience at the Senior Manager level, preferably with a professional services firm.

What we look for

We are looking for passionate, resilient leaders with the intellectual curiosity to pursue new knowledge in the rapidly changing fields of investigations and crisis management. Successful candidates combine a strong technical foundation with sound judgment, commercial awareness and the ability to translate complex information into meaningful, actionable insights. They build trust, nurture internal and external relationships, understand client needs and remain composed and responsive in sensitive, high-pressure situations. This role is suited to someone who wants to lead teams, grow the practice and make a measurable difference for organizations facing their most consequential challenges.