At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance, quality, health & safety, and governance functions across the organisation.
- Company: Join Phenna Group, a dynamic and inclusive employer in Leicester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65k, company car, bonus, and hybrid work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping compliance culture and supporting operational performance.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years of senior leadership experience in regulated environments required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
We’re Hiring: Head of Compliance
Employment type: Full-time
Location: Leicester, UK (with regular travel to office sites as required)
Work Arrangements: Hybrid (2-3 days a week onsite)
Base Salary: Up to £60k-£65k + company car + bonus
Role Purpose
Provide senior leadership and assurance across compliance, quality, health & safety, and technical governance functions. Lead and align experienced specialist managers, embed a consistent and proportionate compliance culture, and provide confidence to the Managing Director and senior leadership that the organization operates to the required regulatory, accreditation, and governance standards. This is a leadership, governance, and assurance role, not a hands-on technical position. Technical delivery and subject-matter expertise remain the responsibility of the Quality, Health & Safety, and Technical Managers.
Leadership & Culture
- Provide clear, visible leadership to the Quality Manager, Health & Safety Manager, Technical Manager, and associated teams.
- Set expectations, priorities, and standards for compliance performance across the organization.
- Create a culture where compliance supports operational performance rather than constraining it.
- Act as a coach and trusted sounding board for senior managers, particularly those newer to leadership roles.
- Be a role model for integrity, accountability, consistency, and sound professional judgment.
Compliance Governance & Assurance
- Own the overall compliance framework, ensuring it is coherent, effective, and proportionate.
- Ensure governance structures, controls, and reporting provide clear assurance to senior leadership.
- Maintain oversight of UKAS, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and other relevant regulatory obligations.
- Provide independent challenge where required and escalate material risks appropriately.
Accreditation & Regulatory Oversight
- Act as the senior point of accountability for the maintenance of all accreditations and certifications.
- Ensure effective preparation for external audits and inspections, supported by specialist managers.
- Review audit outcomes, trends, and systemic issues, ensuring corrective actions are robust and embedded.
- Represent the organization confidently and professionally with auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders.
Health, Safety & Risk Leadership
- Provide leadership oversight of the health & safety strategy and performance.
- Ensure business risks are understood, managed, and communicated effectively.
- Promote a strong safety culture through leadership behaviour rather than procedural control.
Capability, Competency & Succession
- Ensure effective competency frameworks are in place across compliance-critical roles.
- Support the development of managers and teams to build capability, resilience, and succession.
- Ensure training and competency systems remain aligned to regulatory, accreditation, and operational needs.
- Own and manage the compliance function budget, ensuring effective cost control and appropriate investment.
- Understand and articulate the financial impact of compliance, governance, and risk decisions on revenue and EBITDA.
- Establish clear compliance KPIs and assurance reporting for the Managing Director and senior leadership.
- Identify emerging risks, trends, and opportunities for improvement.
- Drive continuous improvement without introducing unnecessary complexity or bureaucracy.
Essential Experience & Capability
- Extensive senior leadership experience, typically gained over 10–15+ years, within regulated, performance-critical environments.
- Demonstrated experience in owning and managing departmental budgets.
- Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk within a corporate or private equity–owned business.
- Proven ability to lead experienced specialists and managers rather than delivering technical work personally.
- High personal credibility, sound judgement, and professional integrity.
- Exposure to UKAS-accredited, ISO-regulated, or similarly controlled environments.
- Experience operating across multi-site or operationally intensive organizations.
- Background in engineering, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, or comparable sectors.
Personal Attributes
- Calm, credible, and authoritative leadership presence.
- Comfortable providing constructive challenge at senior level.
- Pragmatic, proportionate, and commercially aware.
- Strong coaching mindset with the confidence to hold boundaries.
- Trusted advisor who balances compliance rigor with operational reality.
Measures of Success
- Sustained accreditation and audit performance.
- Clear, reliable compliance assurance to senior leadership.
- Improved confidence and capability of compliance-related managers.
- Compliance function operating within agreed budgets.
- Reduced reactive compliance issues and escalation.
Phenna Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer
How To Apply
Click the 'Apply Now' button below and submit your CV.
CTS - Head of Compliance in Leicester employer: Phenna Group
Contact Detail:
Phenna Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CTS - Head of Compliance in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their compliance culture and recent developments. We want you to walk in with confidence, ready to discuss how your leadership style aligns with their values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. We can help you refine your answers and get comfortable discussing your extensive experience in compliance and governance. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace CTS - Head of Compliance in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Compliance role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant compliance frameworks you've worked with to show us you're the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about compliance and how your background makes you a great candidate. Be sure to mention your understanding of governance and risk management, as these are key for this position.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to see how you inspire teams and create a culture of compliance. Share examples of how you've coached others and driven performance in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phenna Group
✨Know Your Compliance Framework
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of compliance frameworks like UKAS and ISO standards. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented or overseen these in previous roles, as this will show your expertise and readiness for the Head of Compliance position.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in compliance-related environments. Highlight instances where you've set expectations and created a culture of compliance that supports operational performance.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage risks. Think about past challenges you've faced in compliance and how you navigated them, ensuring you can articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Financial Acumen
Since the role involves understanding financial metrics like revenue and EBITDA, brush up on how compliance impacts these areas. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous roles and the financial implications of compliance decisions.