At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and audit activities for a major infrastructure project.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company committed to governance and continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous leave, and lifestyle perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for progression and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in compliance or audit roles with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are looking for a highly organised and detail-driven Compliance & Audit Manager to play a critical role on a major infrastructure project. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of compliance, audit and assurance activities, ensuring the project meets all contractual, statutory and governance requirements from construction through to operation. If you thrive in a fast-paced, complex environment and have a passion for governance, audit and continuous improvement, we want to hear from you.
About the Role
As Compliance & Audit Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of robust compliance systems, provide independent assurance on controls, and ensure readiness for audits, regulatory inspections and key project milestones. A key focus will be maintaining compliance with the project's Special Development Order (SDO) obligations, supporting construction, opening and operational phases.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain robust compliance frameworks, ensuring adherence to contractual, statutory, governance and planning requirements.
- Manage and track all Special Development Order (SDO) obligations, including submissions, approvals, evidence and deadlines.
- Plan and deliver a comprehensive audit and assurance programme, providing independent reporting to senior leadership and clients.
- Identify, manage and resolve non-conformances, ensuring corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
- Oversee document control processes, maintaining accurate, audit-ready records and evidence packs for all project stages.
- Ensure compliance across construction, environmental and site activities, including monitoring, inspections and approved plans.
- Collaborate with internal teams, contractors and external stakeholders to support regulatory compliance and audit readiness.
- Drive continuous improvement using audit findings, compliance data and lessons learned to enhance systems and performance.
Why Join Us?
- Annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks.
- Lifestyle Benefits – Mortgage and financial advice, vouchers for various shopping outlets and food stores, employee referral scheme.
- Learning & Development – we actively encourage progression and offer various eLearning courses, progression, training whilst on site, apprenticeships, and in-house training courses.
- Health and Wellbeing – Life assurance scheme, access to mental health support specialists, access to an Online GP for you and your dependents.
- Financial support, discounts on hundreds of retail sites.
- Progression opportunities – many of our team go on to senior and site management roles.
- A welcoming, respectful team culture.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
What we are looking for?
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Proven background in compliance, audit or assurance roles.
- Strong understanding of governance frameworks and audit methodologies.
- Experience managing non-conformances and corrective actions.
- Knowledge of regulatory and planning compliance (e.g. SDO, DCO, S106).
- Excellent analytical, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience building compliance registers, dashboards and audit-ready systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and statutory deadlines.
Desirable:
- Degree in Business, Compliance, Risk, Construction or related field.
- Professional certification (ISO Lead Auditor, IRCA, CQI, IEMA, etc.).
- Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001.
Interested? Apply now and secure your future with us!
Please be aware that, on occasion, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of strong applications. Wilson James is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position, however each case will be assessed on an individual basis.
Compliance & Audit Manager in Bedford employer: Wilson James
At Wilson James, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values employee growth and development. As a Compliance & Audit Manager in Bedford, you will benefit from comprehensive training opportunities, a generous annual leave entitlement, and lifestyle benefits that enhance your well-being. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions are recognised, and you can progress into senior roles while making a meaningful impact on major infrastructure projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Compliance & Audit Manager in Bedford
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Wilson James looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Compliance & Audit Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Wilson James. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson James
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Wilson James’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
