Head Of Compliance

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Reports to: Divisional Director – Aviation

Shifts/Pattern: Monday to Friday (with some flexibilty)

Hours: 40 Hours

Location: Stockley Park – with regular travel to UK and Irish operations

Job Overview

As Head of Compliance – Aviation Security, you will lead regulatory assurance across ICTS’s aviation operations, ensuring full alignment with UK CAA, DfT, EU, and TSA frameworks. You will act as the strategic compliance lead across 10 UK and Irish airports, embedding a proactive, risk-led compliance culture and managing engagement with regulatory bodies, clients, and internal stakeholders.

This senior role combines regulatory strategy, client relationship management, and hands-on operational assurance. You will drive regulatory excellence through the implementation of robust audit and assurance frameworks, influence national aviation security standards, and lead technical input into major aviation security bids and tenders.

Principal Accountabilities

Provide strategic leadership on regulatory compliance across all aviation operations in the UK and Ireland.

Serve as the primary point of contact for our clients, UK CAA, DfT, and other regulatory bodies, ensuring open, constructive engagement and strong audit performance.

Lead the delivery of comprehensive assurance programmes, including covert testing, quality audits, and regulatory readiness.

Embed a culture of risk-based compliance, using performance metrics and data-led reviews to drive improvement.

Oversee compliance elements of contract mobilisation, operational transitions, and business continuity planning.

Directly lead and mentor compliance managers and teams , building capability across the business.

Act as subject matter expert on aviation regulatory themes, contributing to internal training, client advisory services, and external consultations.

Deliver compliance input into tenders and commercial bids, ensuring alignment of security delivery models with regulation , SeMS , and other frameworks.

Produce and present strategic compliance reports and recommendations to internal leadership and clients.

Lead quality assurance and work closely with our training department.

Monitor and interpret changes in national/international aviation legislation, updating internal policy and practice accordingly.

Lead and respond to regulatory inspections, ensuring all sites are audit-ready and capable of maintaining exemplary performance.

Represent ICTS at industry working groups and forums, influencing the evolution of compliance standards .

Promote an inclusive, respectful, and values-driven culture across the workforce, aligned with our diversity and equality commitments.

Collaborate with regional and central teams to ensure compliance KPI’s are met.

Role model emotional intelligence and a growth mindset, encouraging resilience, adaptability, and continuous personal and professional development across the team.

Contribute to ICTS’s wider strategic planning, offering insights and operational feedback to shape long-term goals and business development priorities.

Qualifications and Experience

Senior-level experience in regulatory compliance within aviation security, including direct engagement with UK CAA, DfT, and EU security frameworks.

Demonstrable success in leading regulatory assurance across multi-site airport environments.

Strong track record of effective client relationship management, with the ability to build strategic partnerships and influence at senior levels.

In-depth knowledge of relevant security regulations and industry standards .

Proven track record in managing covert testing regimes, performance audits, and assurance reporting.

Experience in client-facing compliance leadership, including reporting, investigations, and consultation.

Skilled in delivering training, workshops, and stakeholder briefings on complex compliance topics.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in authoring reports and presenting to senior stakeholders.

Experience supporting tender submissions, aligning technical compliance content with operational and commercial objectives .

In-depth understanding of contract compliance, KPIs/SLAs, and risk management within regulated environments.

Experience in change management and continuous improvement initiatives.

Strong leadership skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with high emotional intelligence and stakeholder awareness.

Willingness to travel regularly across the UK as required .

Full UK driving licen s e .

Professional qualifications in security management, business administration, or operational leadership .

ASM Accreditation

Airport Security Management qualifications or similar

Experience contributing to national regulatory working groups or industry forums

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