Interim Head of Compliance

Six-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Full Time

Hybrid with some national travel

Salary: £50K-£55K FTE

Our client, an established professional membership and certification organisation, is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance for a six-month fixed-term contract.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and joining the senior management team, the successful candidate will lead the organisation’s compliance, certification, quality management and technical assurance activities.

This is a senior leadership role requiring strong knowledge of ISO/IEC 17065:2012, experience of working with UKAS and the ability to ensure that certification and assessment activities remain compliant, well governed and operationally effective.

You will lead an established multidisciplinary team and oversee the work of a wider network of subcontracted field assessors.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across compliance, certification, technical assurance and assessment activities.
• Ensure continued compliance with ISO/IEC 17065:2012, UKAS requirements and the conditions of relevant certification schemes.
• Take ownership of the certification Quality Management System, ensuring policies, procedures and controls remain effective and up to date.
• Lead preparations for internal and external audits, ensuring corrective and preventative actions are implemented within agreed timescales.
• Manage the organisation’s relationship with UKAS, regulators, certification scheme owners and other external bodies.
• Maintain oversight of certification applications, assessments, surveillance activities, decisions and records.
• Ensure certification decisions are made appropriately and in accordance with procedures, scheme requirements and the principles of impartiality and confidentiality.
• Identify relevant legislative, regulatory and scheme changes and translate them into effective operational procedures.
• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive and senior management team on compliance, regulatory and operational risks.
• Coordinate management review and impartiality governance arrangements, ensuring resulting actions are completed.
• Oversee the investigation and resolution of complex technical and certification-related complaints.
• Analyse audit findings, complaints and assessment outcomes to identify trends, risks and areas for improvement.
• Lead, coach and develop the Compliance team, establishing clear objectives, accountability and performance standards.
• Oversee the deployment, performance and continuing competence of subcontracted field assessors.
• Produce clear compliance and performance reports for senior management and relevant committees.
• Represent the organisation with UKAS, regulators, scheme owners and other industry stakeholders.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience within certification, compliance, quality assurance, technical standards or another regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17065:2012.
• Experience working with UKAS or a comparable accreditation body.
• Experience leading a compliance, certification, quality or technically focused function.
• Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems, audit processes and compliance frameworks.
• Experience preparing for and managing internal and external audits.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, managing and developing staff.
• The ability to interpret regulatory, accreditation and certification requirements and translate them into effective operational procedures.
• Experience managing complex complaints, investigations or compliance issues.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify compliance risks and recommend appropriate action.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including producing clear reports for senior leaders.
• Confidence working with regulators, technical specialists, contractors and senior stakeholders.
• A highly organised, process-focused approach and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within a certification body, trade association, professional body or comparable membership organisation.
• Experience managing certification or assessment schemes.
• Experience overseeing technical specialists or field-based assessors.
• A relevant compliance, quality management, auditing or technical qualification.
• Experience supporting management review or impartiality governance arrangements.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced compliance and certification professional to take ownership of a substantial function, provide stability and leadership, and make an immediate impact during a six-month fixed-term contract.

Membership Bespoke is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.