Head of Compliance (Permanent) in Manchester

At CAVU, part of Manchester Airport Group, our purpose is to find new and better ways to make airport travel seamless and enjoyable for everybody—from the smallest ideas to the biggest transformations. Every day is an opportunity to create better travel experiences.

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially-minded Head of Assurance & Compliance to join our Strategy & Governance Leadership Team. Reporting to the Strategy & Governance Director, you will lead the development and delivery of CAVU’s Assurance & Compliance framework, providing independent second-line oversight and assurance across our growing global business. This is a highly visible leadership role, working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation to ensure CAVU operates responsibly, sustainably and in line with internal policies, legal requirements and regulatory standards.

You will be responsible for:

• Defining and implementing a risk-based assurance strategy
• Evaluating the effectiveness of controls
• Identifying opportunities for improvement
• Providing valuable insights that support strategic decision-making
• Acting as CAVU’s key liaison with MAG Audit, Cyber Security and Data Protection teams
• Supporting industry certifications, regulatory compliance, and customer bid responses relating to compliance and governance standards
• Developing and delivering a risk-based assurance programme aligned to business priorities and regulatory requirements
• Evaluating the design and effectiveness of business controls, processes and procedures across CAVU
• Identifying control weaknesses, compliance risks and opportunities for process improvement
• Monitoring and reporting on remediation actions
• Championing compliance with internal policies, legal requirements and industry standards including GDPR, PCI DSS and CCPA
• Supporting the business in achieving and maintaining external certifications, including ISO standards
• Producing high-quality reports, board papers and insights for Senior Leadership Team, Executive Committee and governance forums
• Driving continuous improvement through the identification of trends, recurring issues and thematic control gaps across the business

You’ll be a credible assurance, audit or compliance leader with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and balance commercial objectives with effective governance and risk management.

Requirements:

• Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIA, CIIA, CISA or equivalent
• Significant experience in assurance, compliance, audit, risk management or internal controls leadership roles
• Strong commercial, financial, audit or risk management background
• Proven experience designing and implementing governance, compliance and control frameworks
• Strong understanding of compliance standards, regulatory requirements and risk-based assurance methodologies
• Knowledge of GDPR, PCI DSS, CCPA and broader governance and compliance frameworks
• Experience working with technology-enabled businesses and understanding the interaction between business processes and IT systems
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills with the confidence to engage at Executive level
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving business environment
• Exceptional communication skills and experience producing executive-level reports and presentations

As well as a competitive benefits package, you'll be joining a fast-growing, innovative business at the forefront of airport technology, travel and digital commerce. You'll have the opportunity to shape how assurance, compliance and governance are embedded across a global business, influencing strategic decisions and helping CAVU scale responsibly and sustainably.

25 days holiday, increasing with service (up to 28) ~ Option to buy up to 10 extra days + 4 flexible.