Compliance Lead

Description

Compliance Lead – Corporate Governance, Product & Operational Risk

"Make your mark as the first dedicated Compliance Lead in a global engineering and technology design business".

Very competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits

Location: Kent (Hybrid – 3 days per week onsite)

Make your mark as the first dedicated Compliance Lead in a global engineering and technology design business.

We're seeking a proactive and technically credible compliance professional to step into a newly created role where you'll shape and implement compliance, audit, and regulatory best practice across a fast–paced, international manufacturing and technology design group.

This is a rare opportunity to build a compliance function from the ground up. You'll work across engineering, quality, product development, operations, legal, and commercial teams to improve controls, embed standards, and protect the company's reputation as a trusted supplier of high–integrity, safety–focused technology.

What You'll Be Doing

Designing and owning compliance systems, policies, training, and risk registers across the businessLeading internal and external audits across ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, CE/UKCA, EMC and other technical standardsCollaborating with engineering, product, quality, and legal colleagues to ensure documentation and processes meet regulatory and customer expectationsOwning third–party relationships with UKAS, regulatory auditors, and accreditation bodiesDeveloping group–wide frameworks for anti–bribery, modern slavery, sanctions, and ESG reportingActing as the first port of call for compliance queries from colleagues, customers, and suppliersReporting to the Legal and Compliance Director, with influence across UK and international business unitsWhy This Role Matters

This business delivers advanced vehicle safety technologies to large fleets and OEMs across the globe. Ensuring these products are compliant isn't just a legal necessity – it's a matter of life and death. You'll ensure products are properly certified, documentation is watertight, and internal processes can stand up to global regulatory scrutiny.

You'll also play a critical role in helping engineers, developers, and commercial teams understand what "good" looks like – without slowing them down. Your work will reduce risk, support innovation, and enable the company to scale safely and sustainably.

In layperson's terms, you'll:

Ensure the company is doing things properly and legally – particularly in how it designs, tests, sells, and supports its vehicle safety productsCheck that products meet international legal, quality, and safety standards and that teams follow the correct proceduresEnsure documentation is complete and accurate, and anticipate issues before products reach the marketProtect the company's reputation and reduce risks such as product recalls, legal disputes, or customer rejectionsStay ahead of evolving international regulations, including CE/UKCA marking, GSR2, R155, R156, and moreWork as a partner to product, engineering and operations teams – enabling compliant innovation, not policing itPrepare the business for future growth, acquisition, investment or exit, where compliance is increasingly board–level priorityWho We're Looking For

This is not a compliance admin role. It's a strategic and practical position for someone who enjoys being hands–on and advisory, and who can bring professional gravitas to influence cross–functional teams.

You'll need:

Proven experience in compliance, governance or audit roles in a regulated engineering, manufacturing, automotive, electronics, aerospace or med–tech environmentDeep practical knowledge of UK and international regulatory frameworks: ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, CE/UKCA, EMC, RoHS, REACH, GSR2, R155/R156Experience building and embedding compliance and audit frameworks from scratchStrong analytical skills, attention to detail, and process disciplineExcellent written and verbal communication skills – able to interpret regulation and turn it into practical guidanceConfident stakeholder management across departments and levelsA relevant qualification – such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) – is requiredA background in law/legal compliance would be advantageous, as would experience supporting technical product complianceLocation & Logistics

This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week onsite in Kent. You must live within a reasonable commuting distance. Remote–only applicants cannot be considered.

Likely commutable locations include:

Dartford, Medway, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Bromley, Orpington, Tonbridge, Bexley, Sidcup, South East London boroughs, and parts of South Essex.

To apply confidentially or learn more, contact our consultants at Martin Veasey Talent Solutions quoting reference LX (phone number removed)

Ad ID: 5416969051