Principal Compliance Manager

Principal Compliance Manager

Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead compliance across 64 prison sites, ensuring safety and regulatory standards.
  • Company: Join Amey, a forward-thinking company committed to diversity and community impact.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits, generous holidays, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and community support.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in a complex environment while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Proven compliance experience and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Compliance Manager, working remotely with regular travel across 64 sites throughout the Midlands, Wales, the Northwest and the Northeast. Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week.

What you will do

  • Responsible to the Operations Director (Justice) for overseeing and assuring statutory, regulatory, and contractual compliance across planned, remedial, and reactive maintenance programmes within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) custodial estate, encompassing 64 prison establishments.
  • Support operational teams to ensure that all maintenance activities are delivered in full compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, contractual, and Ministry of Justice (MoJ) / HMPPS requirements.
  • Support operational teams in maintaining the highest standards of safety, security, quality, and service delivery within a secure and complex custodial environment.
  • Provide guidance and oversight to front line and regional operational Managers in the planning and execution of compliance, assurance, and quality audits.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of client obligations and support the Ministry of Justice in meeting its statutory responsibilities under relevant legislation.
  • Work collaboratively with Account Directors, Regional Operational Managers, and Site Managers to embed a consistent and robust compliance culture across all sites.
  • Close liaison with HSEQ, commercial, and national compliance teams is required to provide assurance over asset maintenance activities and adherence to established standards within live custodial environments.
  • The role is focused on maintaining full compliance while enabling operational continuity, ensuring that maintenance delivery aligns with the complex security and operational demands of the prison estate.

What you will bring

  • Proven leadership and organisational skills.
  • Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and developing small to medium sized team.
  • Ability to build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across the business.
  • Proven ability to oversee and manage statutory and regulatory compliance across planned maintenance programmes within a complex custodial estate on behalf of Amey.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation and standards, ensuring Amey's full compliance with building safety, fire safety, gas, electrical, water hygiene, and wider requirements applicable to secure environments.
  • Strong capability in monitoring, auditing, and reporting on compliance performance across multiple establishments, projects, and workstreams within Amey's custodial portfolio.
  • Experience in maintaining accurate compliance records, certification, and asset documentation in line with Amey processes and MoJ / HMPPS requirements.
  • Ability to support and coordinate internal and external audits, inspections, and client assurance reviews on behalf of Amey.
  • Collaborative approach to working with Amey's SHEQ and operational teams to drive continuous improvement, risk reduction, and the adoption of best practice.
  • Effective communication skills, with the ability to act as a key point of contact representing Amey for compliance-related queries from site teams, stakeholders, and client representatives within HMPPS.
  • Extensive compliance experience background.
  • Competent in Microsoft office software.
  • Analytical capabilities.
  • Demonstrable experience in a Compliance Manager or senior compliance role, ideally within a complex, highly regulated environment such as custodial or critical infrastructure.
  • Proven leadership capability, with the ability to influence, guide, and support operational teams to achieve compliance objectives.
  • Relevant background within maintenance, property services or facilities management.
  • Strong working knowledge of compliance associated with asset maintenance, planned works, and statutory obligations.
  • Experience operating across occupied or live environments, managing compliance within active operational settings.
  • Confident in engaging with operational teams, client representatives (including MoJ/HMPPS), and senior stakeholders across Amey.
  • Well‑developed reporting, auditing, and communication skills, with the ability to present compliance performance clearly and accurately.
  • Experience within prison environment desirable.

Requirements

Due to the nature of this role, successful applicants will be required to obtain Enhanced Security Clearance Level 2.

Our benefits

  • Remuneration – Enjoy a competitive annual salary with the potential for yearly reviews to ensure you're rewarded for your contributions, car allowance and bonus.
  • Career Growth – Shine in your career with advancement opportunities.
  • Training Opportunities – Unlock your potential with comprehensive training, including fully funded leadership programs tailored to your personal growth.
  • Holidays – Enjoy at least 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, and the opportunity to buy further days.
  • Pension – Generous pension scheme, with extra contributions from Amey.
  • Flexible benefits – Customise your benefits with options such as insurance benefits, Cycle2Work scheme and access to discounted gym membership.
  • Exclusive Discounts – Access our online portal filled with discounts from leading retailers, healthcare services, and more, helping you save on the things that matter.
  • Give Back to community – Two Social Impact Days each year, for volunteering and fundraising opportunities.
  • Family friendly policies – For new parents or if you provide care for a dependant.
  • Membership of our Affinity Networks – They connect, support and inspire diverse communities within Amey.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. At Amey we constantly evolve how we work to reflect the different needs and backgrounds of our employees. We believe everyone deserves an opportunity to shine.

Principal Compliance Manager employer: Amey

Amey is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and extensive training opportunities, including fully funded leadership programmes. With a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative work culture, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, exclusive discounts, and the chance to make a positive impact through community engagement initiatives. Join us in a role that not only ensures compliance within a complex custodial environment but also supports your professional development and work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

Amey Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Compliance Manager

Join Compliance Communities

Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.

Leverage Your University Career Services

If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.

Showcase Your Knowledge Online

Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Amey looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Compliance Manager

Leadership Skills
Organisational Skills
Stakeholder Management
Statutory Compliance
Regulatory Compliance
Knowledge of Relevant Legislation
Auditing Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.

Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!

Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Amey. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!

How to prepare for a job interview at Amey

Master the Regulations

Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!

Show Your Analytical Skills

Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!

Know Your Tools

Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!

Align with Company Culture

Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Amey’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!