Compliance and Recruitment Manager in Edinburgh

The Recruitment Compliance Manager is responsible for leading and continuously improving the organisation's recruitment compliance framework, ensuring that all recruitment, onboarding, workforce management, accommodation, and worker welfare activities are conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, industry standards, client requirements, and internal policies. This role plays a critical part in protecting workers, safeguarding the organisation's reputation, and ensuring compliance with labour market regulations. The Recruitment Compliance Manager will oversee ethical recruitment practices, worker documentation, accommodation standards, worker welfare initiatives, and regulatory compliance across all stages of the worker lifecycle.

The successful candidate will work closely with recruitment teams, operational managers, farm management teams, accommodation providers, clients, and regulatory bodies to ensure the highest standards of compliance and worker care are maintained. Particular emphasis will be placed on compliance relating to migrant workforces within the agricultural and horticultural sectors, while supporting compliance with customer and industry standards including the Seasonal Worker Scheme, SMETA, BRCGS, ethical trade requirements, and labour market enforcement regulations.

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust recruitment compliance policies, procedures, and controls.
• Ensure all recruitment activities comply with UK employment legislation, immigration regulations, right-to-work requirements, data protection legislation, and company policies.
• Establish and maintain compliance monitoring systems to ensure consistency across all recruitment operations.
• Ensure all worker documentation is complete, accurate, securely stored, and readily available for inspection and audit purposes.
• Identify compliance risks and implement corrective and preventative actions to mitigate operational and legal exposure.
• Maintain compliance records and ensure effective document control procedures are in place.

• Ensure compliance with legislation and standards enforced by the UK Fair Work Agency and other labour market enforcement authorities.
• Support implementation of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking prevention measures.
• Investigate worker complaints, whistleblowing reports, and compliance concerns, ensuring appropriate action is taken and documented.
• Maintain evidence and records required for inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Stay informed of legislative developments and advise senior management on emerging compliance requirements and risks.

• Manage and oversee compliance relating to worker accommodation, ensuring standards meet legislative requirements, client expectations, and welfare obligations.
• Coordinate accommodation inspections and audits to assess health, safety, hygiene, occupancy, and welfare standards.
• Maintain accurate accommodation records, occupancy registers, and inspection reports.
• Monitor accommodation charges and deductions to ensure transparency and compliance with relevant regulations.
• Work closely with accommodation providers, landlords, and operational teams to address non-compliance issues and implement improvements.
• Investigate accommodation-related complaints and ensure timely resolution.

• Support operational management teams in maintaining compliant workforce planning and labour deployment practices.
• Monitor labour utilisation, productivity reporting, and workforce records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support clients in implementing best practices for worker welfare, health and safety, and workforce management.
• Conduct compliance visits to operational sites to assess recruitment, accommodation, and workforce management standards.

• Plan and conduct regular internal compliance audits across recruitment, onboarding, accommodation, worker welfare, and operational processes.
• Support external audits conducted by clients, certification bodies, retailers, government agencies, and Seasonal Worker Scheme operators.
• Assist with preparation for SMETA, ethical trade, labour standards, customer, and BRCGS audits.
• Maintain records and evidence required to demonstrate compliance with customer and regulatory standards.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and best practice implementation.
• Prepare detailed compliance reports, audit findings, corrective action plans, and management information reports.
• Track compliance KPIs and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Support business-wide initiatives designed to improve compliance performance and operational efficiency.

• Develop and deliver compliance training programmes for recruiters, managers, accommodation teams, and operational staff.
• Act as the primary point of contact for compliance-related queries and guidance.
• Build strong working relationships with clients, farm managers, accommodation providers, labour providers, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of compliance, accountability, transparency, and ethical recruitment throughout the organisation.
• Support management teams in understanding and implementing changing legislative and regulatory requirements.

Proven experience in recruitment compliance, workforce compliance, labour compliance, HR compliance, or a similar role. Strong knowledge of UK employment law, right to work requirements, immigration compliance, and data protection legislation. Experience conducting audits, inspections, and compliance reviews. Experience developing and implementing policies, procedures, and compliance frameworks. Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities. Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to operational sites, farms, and accommodation locations. Experience working within the agricultural, horticultural, fresh produce, food production, or farming sector. Experience with the UK Seasonal Worker Scheme and sponsored worker programmes. Experience overseeing worker accommodation and welfare programmes. Experience supporting farm workforce management and labour planning activities. Familiarity with DEFRA regulations, guidance, and agricultural compliance requirements. Knowledge of BRCGS standards and customer compliance requirements within food production, farming, fresh produce, and supply chain environments. Experience supporting customer, retailer, or third-party audits relating to labour standards, worker welfare, ethical trading, and compliance. Professional qualifications such as CIPD, ICA, IRCA Auditor, Compliance Certification, or equivalent.

If you're passionate about compliance and driving recruitment excellence, we'd like to hear from you.