Application Guide
How to Apply for Industry Principal - Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC)
at Workiva
🏢 About Workiva
Workiva specializes in streamlining integrated ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting, helping organizations achieve transparent climate impact tracking and compliance. Unlike generic GRC software companies, Workiva focuses specifically on the intersection of ESG, climate reporting, and regulatory compliance, making it a leader in this emerging and critical space. Working here means contributing to solutions that address pressing global challenges like climate transparency while helping businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
About This Role
As an Industry Principal for GRC at Workiva, you'll serve as the expert bridge between product marketing, solution teams, and the market, focusing on Governance, Risk & Compliance within the ESG context. You'll lead thought leadership initiatives, shape marketing strategies, and influence product development by gathering insights from industry influencers and customers. This role is impactful because you'll directly shape how Workiva addresses GRC challenges in ESG reporting, driving both market education and product evolution.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing the latest ESG regulatory updates to inform a thought leadership article or webinar you're drafting, followed by a meeting with product marketers to coach them on GRC messaging for an upcoming campaign. In the afternoon, you could host a virtual roundtable with industry influencers to discuss pain points in climate compliance, then collaborate with solution teams to translate feedback into product enhancement ideas. The day often ends with planning social media content to amplify Workiva's GRC expertise, ensuring alignment with broader marketing strategies.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For
- A GRC practitioner with 10+ years of experience, including senior leadership roles, who has deep hands-on knowledge of regulatory mandates (especially those related to ESG and climate reporting like SEC rules, CSRD, or TCFD).
- Someone with extraordinary project management skills, capable of coordinating cross-functional teams (product marketers, solution teams) and executing complex thought leadership campaigns (events, content, social media).
- A proven thought leader who can represent Workiva externally—comfortable speaking at industry events, engaging with influencers, and translating complex GRC/ESG concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
- A relationship-builder who can maintain strong ties with GRC/ESG industry influencers, partners, and customers to gather feedback on pain points and drive product enhancements specific to Workiva's platform.
📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva
Tailor your resume to highlight specific GRC experience related to ESG or climate compliance (e.g., implementing ESG reporting frameworks, managing GRC programs for sustainability), not just general risk management.
Showcase thought leadership examples: include links to articles, speaking engagements, or social media content you've created on GRC/ESG topics, as this role heavily emphasizes external representation.
Research Workiva's specific ESG reporting solutions (like their platform for integrated reporting) and mention how your GRC expertise aligns with their focus on transparency and climate impact.
Emphasize cross-functional collaboration: provide examples of partnering with marketing or product teams in past roles, as you'll be guiding traditional marketers at Workiva.
Quantify your impact in previous GRC leadership roles—e.g., 'Led a team that reduced compliance costs by X%' or 'Developed a GRC program that streamlined reporting for Y regulations'—to demonstrate project management and strategic influence.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your deep knowledge of GRC regulatory mandates, especially those tied to ESG and climate reporting (e.g., SEC climate disclosure rules, EU's CSRD), and how they align with Workiva's mission.", "Specific examples of thought leadership you've driven, such as hosting webinars, publishing articles, or speaking at industry events on GRC/ESG topics, highlighting your ability to represent Workiva externally.", 'Experience building relationships with industry influencers or customers in the GRC/ESG space and using feedback to influence product or strategy enhancements.', 'Your track record of coaching or guiding marketing teams and collaborating cross-functionally to develop campaigns or solutions, as this role requires partnering with traditional product marketers.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Workiva's specific ESG reporting solutions and platform capabilities—review their website, case studies, and product demos to understand how they address GRC in climate compliance.
- → Recent thought leadership from Workiva (e.g., blogs, webinars, whitepapers on ESG/GRC) to grasp their current market positioning and identify gaps you could fill.
- → Key regulatory trends in ESG and climate reporting (like SEC disclosures, CSRD, or TCFD) and how they impact GRC practices, as this is central to the role.
- → Workiva's partnerships or customer base in the GRC/ESG space—look for mentions of collaborations with industry groups or clients to understand their market reach.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic GRC experience that doesn't tie into ESG, climate reporting, or regulatory trends specific to Workiva's focus—this shows a lack of role-specific understanding.
- Failing to provide concrete examples of thought leadership or external representation in your application, as this role requires being a public face for Workiva's GRC expertise.
- Overlooking the cross-functional aspect—candidates who don't highlight experience collaborating with marketing or product teams may seem ill-prepared to guide traditional marketers at Workiva.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!