At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and governance in a dynamic defence engineering environment.
- Company: Join a globally recognised engineering organisation with a strong leadership team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and career growth in a complex engineering sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of compliance and make a real impact in global defence.
- Qualifications: Experience in compliance, governance, and leading multidisciplinary teams in regulated environments.
Fortress Recruit is now looking for a Head of Compliance to join a leading international defence engineering organisation, taking a senior leadership role within their Portsmouth based business.
Reporting directly to the MD, you'll become a key member of the leadership team with responsibility for driving compliance, governance and operational assurance across the business.
This is a broad leadership role covering a variety of internal and external teams, whilst also influencing compliance strategy across a wider global business.
This is not a specialist technical role focused on one discipline.
Instead, you'll lead experienced managers and subject matter experts, ensuring the right governance, processes and controls are in place to support a highly regulated defence environment.
You'll work across the business balancing priorities, managing risk and helping teams understand not only what needs to be done, but why it matters.
Key responsibilities will include
- Leading the Export Control & Trade Compliance, Quality Assurance, IT & Cyber Security and Operational Development functions.
- Managing, coaching and developing a team of experienced managers whilst driving a culture of compliance, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Acting as the senior compliance lead for the UK business whilst supporting wider governance initiatives across an international engineering group.
- Providing strategic oversight of export control, trade compliance and defence regulatory requirements including UK Strategic Export Controls, EAR and ITAR.
- Leading business readiness for customer, regulatory and certification audits across multiple compliance disciplines.
- Overseeing site, personnel and information security governance, ensuring ongoing compliance with UK Government and defence customer requirements.
- Supporting cyber security governance and the ongoing development of compliance with frameworks including NIST, Cyber Essentials Plus, CMMC and ISO 27001.
- Maintaining and continually improving the Business Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO standards and quality assurance requirements.
- Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial and international stakeholders to embed compliance into business decision making.
- Identifying compliance risks, supporting investigations where required and implementing pragmatic corrective actions to protect the business.
- Driving governance improvements, policy development and operational change across a complex engineering organisation.
To be considered for this role, you'll have
- Previous experience leading compliance, governance, quality assurance, cyber security or operational development within a defence, aerospace, maritime or highly regulated engineering environment.
- A broad understanding of Export Control and Trade Compliance, including UK Strategic Export Controls, EAR and ITAR.
- Knowledge of Quality Management Systems including ISO 9001, with exposure to standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 27001 (advantageous)
- An appreciation of defence cyber security frameworks including NIST, Def Stan 05-138, Cyber Essentials Plus and CMMC.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
- The ability to balance multiple priorities whilst providing pragmatic, risk based solutions within a highly regulated environment.
- Strong communication and relationship building skills, with the confidence to engage at executive, customer and operational levels.
- A proactive, collaborative leadership style with a focus on continuous improvement, governance and business performance.
- Eligibility for ITAR and SC clearance (5 years' UK residency without visa or sponsorship requirement)
This is an excellent opportunity to join a globally recognised engineering organisation in a highly visible leadership position, offering genuine influence across both UK operations and international business functions.
You'll lead an established team, shape the future direction of compliance and governance and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of a business delivering complex engineering solutions into the global defence sector.
This is a full time, permanent position based in Portsmouth, offering a competitive salary, car allowance and bonus, comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work with international stakeholders across Europe, Asia and North America (approx. 20% travel requirement UK and internationally).
For a confidential conversation or to request a full job description, please get in touch with a copy of your up to date CV
Head Of Compliance in Portsmouth employer: Fortress Recruit Limited
Join a respected international manufacturer in the West Midlands as a Quality Engineer, where quality is paramount in supporting major aerospace and industrial customers. This role offers a collaborative work culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and professional growth, alongside a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements. Be part of a team that values your expertise and encourages you to drive quality enhancements across manufacturing processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Compliance in Portsmouth
✨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 Fortress Recruit Limited looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Compliance in Portsmouth
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 Fortress Recruit Limited. 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 Fortress Recruit Limited
✨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 Fortress Recruit Limited’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
