Operational Compliance Manager in Guildford

We are seeking a capable and confident Operational Compliance Manager to support the effective delivery of our Group compliance programme. This role plays a critical part in operationalising compliance, bridging the gap between strategic oversight (owned by the Senior Compliance Manager) and the day‑to‑day activities that keep the business safe, compliant and audit‑ready. This is a hands‑on role, ideally suited to someone with existing operational compliance experience who can work independently, quickly understand existing environments, exercise sound judgement in operational contexts, and manage core compliance processes and controls in a fast‑moving environment.

Key Deliverables

• Compliance Framework & Controls: Support the design and ongoing evolution of the compliance framework; maintain policies, controls and assurance mechanisms to ensure operational compliance across the organisation.
• Risk Management: Coordinate organisational risk assessments (individual and company‑wide), support the maintenance of risk registers, track mitigations, and support risk reporting to the Leadership Team.
• Incident Management: Operate incident reporting and management processes, ensuring investigations are documented including investigation and root‑cause analysis. Drive timely closure of corrective and preventative actions and maintain audit‑ready evidence.
• Health & Safety Leadership: Oversee the company’s H&S environment, providing direction, frameworks and oversight with the Junior Office Manager owning day‑to‑day checks, maintenance activities and record‑keeping.
• Third‑Party Risk Management: Work with the Internal Systems Manager, Partner Manager and relevant stakeholders to support due diligence activity, and own supplier/partner compliance records and ongoing monitoring, ensuring all third‑party risks are effectively managed.
• Audit & Certification: Support the maintenance of key external certifications including managing evidence packs and actions. Execute the internal audit schedule, ensuring audits are completed, records are maintained and corrective and preventative actions are recorded and actioned.
• Stakeholder Communication & Engagement: Educate/advises teams across the business on relevant standards, regulations and risk management, offering clear, practical interpretation of requirements. Provide accurate compliance/risk inputs for business processes.
• Product Compliance: Conduct operational compliance checks for new and evolving products to ensure they meet relevant standards and requirements.
• Line Management: Provide leadership, guidance and development for the Junior Office Manager, ensuring strong delivery of day‑to‑day H&S and office compliance activities.

How Success is Measured

• Timelines and completeness.
• Third‑party reviews completed within SLA.
• On‑time policy refresh cycle and regulatory adoption milestones.
• Risk assessments completed to schedule with high‑quality documentation.
• Audit and accreditation outcomes.
• Favourable audit results: corrective actions closed on time.
• Accreditations maintained without conditions or with timely resolution plans.
• Operational H&S performance: Incident reporting within required timeframes, CAPA closure within target days, Completion of H&S risk assessments/inspections; improved leading indicators.
• Stakeholder feedback and influence: Positive feedback on clarity, responsiveness and practicality of guidance, Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with appropriate escalation; measurable reduction of operational compliance gaps.

Person Specification

Work Experience

• 3–5+ years in operational compliance, risk, governance, or related fields.
• Strong hands‑on experience across risk assessments, policy governance, assurance, and third‑party risk management.
• Practical understanding of information security and data protection controls, including familiarity with ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials, and how these frameworks are applied in an operational environment.
• Experience supporting or managing internal/external audits and regulatory or accreditation interactions.
• Strong working knowledge of H&S operational frameworks.
• Desirable: Experience with external accreditation (including Quality, H&S, ESG) and/or ISO management system standards, Experience designing or delivering training, Exposure to SaaS product compliance requirements, Prior involvement in operational product compliance checks/market‑access requirements, Familiar with Microsoft Office and BI/reporting tools, Experience designing and delivering compliance training programmes.

Qualifications

• ISO Internal Auditor (desirable).
• NEBOSH certification (desirable).

Key Skills

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, anticipate needs, and drive outcomes at pace.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High integrity, strong analytical skills, and sound judgement.
• Ability to provide constructive challenge and practical guidance; turns insights into actionable recommendations.
• High attention to detail and discretion when handling sensitive information; consistent, accurate and high‑quality record keeping.
• Experience coaching or supporting junior colleagues (formal line management experience desirable but not essential).