EY GDS: Unlocking Global Career Opportunities for Local Talents

As key global transformations continue to take place, including the further digitalization of daily life and the evolution of work dynamics that now embrace new professional setups – international career experiences for local talents have increased significantly, including roles and opportunities that would not have existed a decade ago.

What’s apparent is that the right talent, enabled by technology, can be harnessed and developed regardless of location or base of work.

EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) is a growing global delivery network of over 74,000 people working across the border to provide innovative and strategic business services to EY member firms around the world. At EY GDS, qualified professionals can actively pursue exciting roles across a broad spectrum of specialties, including tax, assurance, strategy and transactions, consulting services, finance, business development, technology, procurement, and risk management – backed by industry-leading practices and a robust tech network.

Offering global experiences to world-class Filipino talent 

Many professionals today don’t just want to earn a living. In fact, Universum’s 2023 talent survey revealed that when choosing an employer, young Filipinos are more selective and want to prioritize an organization that can help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

Based on the survey, they’re more selective when choosing their employers. They look at what the company does, what it stands for, and how it can help employees achieve their mid- to long-term goals. These individuals also want to work for global companies – aligned with pursuing international travel, relocation, or careers with strong cross-cultural experiences.

Moreover, talents would like to work in companies that offer hybrid work arrangements. While this is a preference, respondents have also acknowledged the challenges of some remote work setups. Internet connection is the most common concern in the Philippines, followed by potential impacts on work-life balance and limited social connections with colleagues.

Professional training and development are deemed an employer’s most important preferred attributes, common across talents from business, STEM,  and humanities backgrounds. Young Filipinos likewise prefer employers that uphold ethics and promote work-life balance and respect.

It’s a tall order, but the company understands how to address today’s professionals’ multi-faceted needs.

Nitin Dhavale, EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) Philippines Location Leader, says, “Regardless of background, gender, generation, or area of experience – we help ensure that hiring and advancement opportunities are available, especially for those with the hunger to learn and drive to create more value. This practice applies to our company processes – from recruitment to career management and recognition.”

EY teams worldwide collaborate to help clients. One of the most rewarding experiences for these professionals is the opportunity to help create a meaningful impact across cultures and borders, sectors, and service lines.

Throughout one’s career journey in the EY organization, from students and entry-level hires to experienced professionals, there are different ways to gain global experiences – from working in virtual global teams, cross-border engagements, permanent transfers, or international assignments.

For example, undergraduates get the opportunity to showcase their talents to other young professionals and EY tax leaders at the EY Young Tax Professional of the Year global competition. As an example, in recent years, GDS country-level winner Trisha Huang from the Philippines won the first runner-up title at the international final in London – the second consecutive year a GDS winner came from the Philippines.

As strategic contributors to cross-border teams, EY GDS professionals collaborate profoundly with EY teams across service lines, geographies, and sectors. EY GDS Philippines teams, for instance, help deliver audit, business and technology consulting, and advisory services to EY member firms serving leading brands in Asia-Pacific markets.

Moreover, several GDS Philippines Assurance, Consulting, and Tax leaders also hold additional responsibilities as GDS global and regional account owners, managing delivery teams based in different GDS locations.

Nurturing a transformative and purposeful mindset

The professionals across the globe allow EY GDS to build flexible, diverse teams and provide experience and skills across service lines and borders.

GDS professionals develop a global perspective through role-based learning activities and exploring opportunities where they gain relevant skills and experiences, including multicultural thinking, teaming, and working, benefitting long-term career goals.

Tools like internal career frameworks also help GDS people discover how their careers might evolve through the roles available within the EY organization, understand the proficiencies required by these positions, and access learning guidance – giving professionals control of their career development.

The EY organization also places great emphasis on purpose and believes that more than just skill proficiency, having a clear purpose is essential for EY professionals to thrive in today’s world. This means creating an environment where individuals can find meaning and fulfillment in the work that they do and developing opportunities where they can connect their personal purpose and align it with the organizational purpose, thereby increasing engagement and productivity.

Mr. Dhavale notes that this broad support is crucial; it improves the company’s overall work culture and embeds a global and purpose-driven mindset among co-workers, teams, and collaborators. “Being able to work effectively across cultures, in different work set-ups – in-office or virtual – as well as locations – helps talents prepare for more complex and diverse opportunities in future roles and upcoming industries. Cultivating a strong sense of purpose also supports EY professionals to be more intentional towards their careers, helping them to seek out experiences, learnings, skills, impact, and leadership behaviors that help them build the unique careers they want.”

Unlocking these opportunities has been a constant focus for EY GDS as it endeavors to build a better working world for clients, communities, and people.

Combining this boon with local talents’ remarkable resilience, ambition for personal development, and desire to contribute positively to society, global opportunities for them can only continue to rise. With a solid background in industry experience, EY GDS is strongly committed to supporting this growth and unlocking these possibilities.

Those interested in learning more about EY GDS’ opportunities can visit the careers portal at www.ey.com/en_ph/careers/global-delivery-services (MCN).