Compliance Manager in Southampton

Founded in 2003, Zenergi was created to simplify energy procurement and help organisations make smarter, more sustainable energy decisions. As the UK accelerates through the Energy Transition, Zenergi is ideally positioned for growth, with ambitious plans for the coming years. The Compliance Manager plays a critical role in enabling this growth safely and sustainably. The primary purpose of the role is to act as the central bridge between the CFO, the wider business, and Zenergi’s outsourced legal advisers, ensuring that all legal, contractual, compliance, and health & safety matters are handled efficiently, consistently, and with commercial pragmatism.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legal Coordination & Governance: Act as the first point of contact for all legal, contractual, and compliance queries from across the business. Translate commercial and operational questions into clear instructions for outsourced legal counsel, managing queries end-to-end. Review and interpret legal advice received, summarising implications and actions clearly for the CFO, leadership team, and operational stakeholders. Support the CFO and Directors with governance matters, statutory duties, and company secretarial requirements. Coordinate Companies House filings, board documentation, resolutions, and governance records. Support HR with employment-related matters by liaising with external legal advisers on contracts, policies, disciplinary, grievance and termination issues.
• Contracts & Commercial Oversight: Own and manage Zenergi’s contract management framework, ensuring consistency, version control, and appropriate approvals. Coordinate the review, negotiation and execution of commercial contracts via outsourced legal counsel, including energy supply and brokerage agreements, consultancy and advisory contracts, commission-sharing and partner agreements, supplier, subcontractor and framework agreements, NDAs and data processing agreements. Maintain and update standard contract templates and commercial terms in line with business needs and risk appetite. Act as the internal “sense-check” on contracts, flagging commercial risks, deviations, and key obligations for decision-makers. Support tenders, procurement processes, and strategic partnerships from a compliance and governance perspective.
• Compliance, Regulatory & Risk Management: Own the company’s compliance framework, ensuring alignment with applicable legislation, industry regulation and best practice. Act as the primary internal owner for regulatory matters relating to energy broking and consultancy, including Ofgem guidance and industry codes. Monitor regulatory changes and coordinate implementation across the business. Liaise with regulators, auditors, accreditation bodies and external advisers as required. Own and oversee customer onboarding and compliance processes from a governance and risk standpoint. Lead internal audits and compliance reviews, ensuring actions are tracked and completed. Promote a strong culture of ethical behaviour, accountability and compliance across the organisation.
• Health & Safety Ownership: Own Zenergi’s Health & Safety framework, policies, and procedures. Act as the central coordinator for H&S compliance, audits, external certifications and continuous improvement. Ensure responsibilities are clearly allocated across the business and that H&S obligations are understood and met. Liaise with external advisers and certification bodies as required.
• Data Protection & Information Governance: Own compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Maintain data protection policies, records of processing, and breach management procedures. Coordinate responses to subject access requests, data breaches, and ICO communications. Ensure appropriate data protection clauses are embedded into contracts and that third-party suppliers meet required standards. Act as, or oversee, the Data Protection Officer function.
• Disputes, Claims & Legal Matters: Coordinate the management of disputes, claims or regulatory issues, acting as the internal owner. Lead early-stage issue resolution to minimise escalation and preserve commercial relationships. Instruct, manage and control outsourced legal counsel, ensuring cost-effective, pragmatic advice. Maintain oversight of legal risks, potential liabilities and exposure, reporting clearly to the CFO.
• Training & Awareness: Develop and coordinate training on compliance, data protection, health & safety, and ethical business practices. Support leaders and teams in understanding their responsibilities and embedding compliance into day-to-day operations.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

• Essential: Minimum 5 years’ experience in a compliance, legal coordination, risk or governance role. Legal or compliance background (in-house, consultancy, or regulated environment). Comfortable working through influence rather than direct control, including virtual or matrix teams. Strong experience managing external advisers and holding internal stakeholders accountable. Experience with policy development and implementation. Knowledge of general legislation including GDPR, financial compliance and Health & Safety. Experience supporting or leading internal and external audits.
• Desirable: Experience in the energy sector or similarly regulated industries. Construction industry exposure. Experience maintaining ISO-certified management systems. Familiarity with FRS legislation.

Benefits: Here at Zenergi, we like to reward our team in numerous ways to show our appreciation for their hard work. From our Zen Points scheme, which allows people to claim points in exchange for shopping vouchers. In addition, we provide opportunities for volunteering and charity events to help our team fulfil personal objectives and to give back to the community. As a Disability Confident employer, we are fully committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable working environment. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences, and we recognise the value that a diverse workforce brings to our organisation.