• Deep history of internal competition between countries, which negatively affects bottom lines.
• Constant turnover in leadership. Some years only HQ makes decisions so your role will be to follow orders, even if it negatively affects your region. Some leaders will listen to localization needs, others less so.
• In other global offices perhaps it differs, but in the US: Yearly budgets can be pulled at any time. / EVERYTHING needs be approved up the chain. / No time to educate yourself or keep up with software, time is focused on projects -- learn and adapt as you go. / Constantly busy but little upward opportunity.
• Major layoffs common. They've cut amazing talent, seemingly after the person accomplished the impossible. (Not thinking of myself here, rather a few leaders in London.)