Head of Compliance and Governance

As our business continues to grow, we are launching a dedicated Compliance as a Service division to help organisations improve governance, reduce risk and achieve compliance with recognised standards.

We are looking for an experienced, personable and enthusiastic Head of Compliance and Governance to lead this new area of the business.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of an established internal compliance programme whilst building and developing a new customer-facing service offering around:

• ISO 9001
• ISO 27001
• ISO 14001
• Cyber Essentials
• Cyber Essentials Plus
• Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC)
• Internal Auditing
• Policy and Process Development

You will be joining a business that already operates accredited management systems and has ambitious plans to make compliance a core service offering alongside our existing technology portfolio.

If you’re passionate about helping organisations improve, enjoy working with people and want to build something meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

The Role

As Head of Compliance and Governance, you will be responsible for all aspects of Oakford’s compliance function.

You will maintain and improve our own management systems whilst helping customers navigate compliance, certification and governance requirements.

This is a highly visible role that combines compliance expertise, client relationship management and service development.

You will work closely with customers, senior leadership, project teams and consultants to ensure compliance activities deliver genuine business value rather than simply becoming a tick-box exercise.

Whilst you will lead our Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus services, technical remediation work will be delivered by our Project Team, allowing you to focus on customer engagement, compliance guidance and programme management.

Your First Year

Your initial objectives will include:

• Successfully transitioning Oakford’s existing ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and ISO 14001 certifications to a UKAS-accredited certification body.
• Reviewing and improving our Integrated Management System.
• Building service delivery processes for our Compliance as a Service offering.
• Launching and onboarding our first managed compliance customers.
• Developing customer offerings around Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
• Recruiting and onboarding a Compliance Officer or Process Manager to support the growth of the department.

This role offers significant scope to shape the future direction of compliance within the business.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Maintaining and improving Oakford’s management systems.
• Managing internal audits, corrective actions and management reviews.
• Coordinating external certification audits.
• Developing and delivering Compliance as a Service offerings.
• Conducting compliance reviews and gap assessments.
• Producing customer compliance roadmaps and improvement plans.
• Leading Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus engagements.
• Supporting customers through audit and certification preparation.
• Developing policies, procedures and risk registers.
• Producing compliance reports for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Delivering customer presentations, workshops and review meetings.
• Monitoring compliance KPIs and service performance.
• Recruiting and managing future members of the compliance team., * Successfully migrate our existing ISO certifications to a UKAS-accredited certification body.
• Strengthen and improve Oakford’s internal compliance processes.
• Work with other heads of departments to build a Compliance as a Service offering to our customers, such as managed compliance, and one-off gap assessments.
• Establish Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus as key service lines.
• Secure and manage a portfolio of recurring compliance customers.
• Recruit and develop a Compliance Officer or Process Manager.
• Become a recognised compliance leader within the organisation.

Essential

• Experience managing ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and/or ISO 14001 management systems.
• Experience supporting certification audits and compliance programmes.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management and continual improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience producing policies, procedures and compliance documentation.
• Ability to confidently engage with senior leadership teams and customers.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Lead Auditor qualification.
• Experience delivering compliance consultancy services.
• Experience with Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus.
• Experience working within an MSP, technology or professional services environment.
• Knowledge of ISO 22301, ISO 2000, ISO 45001 or GDPR compliance frameworks.
• Experience building or managing compliance teams.

The Type of Person We Are Looking For

Technical capability is important, but personality is equally critical.

We’re looking for somebody who is:

• Friendly and approachable.
• Professional and confident.
• Positive, enthusiastic and engaging.
• Commercially aware.
• Comfortable speaking with customers and senior stakeholders.
• Naturally organised and process-driven.
• Passionate about continual improvement.
• Able to make compliance understandable and practical.

We want somebody who can build trusted relationships and become a genuine advisor to both our customers and our people.

• £50,000 basic salary.
• Hybrid working.
• Company pension scheme.
• Onsite gym and wellbeing facilities.
• Employee discounts and benefits.
• Ongoing professional training and development.
• The opportunity to build and lead a new business division.
• The chance to shape a strategic growth area within a successful technology business.

Help us build the future of Compliance as a Service.

If you’re ready to combine compliance expertise with leadership, customer engagement and business growth, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: £50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Oakford is a leading provider of Managed IT, Cloud, Connectivity and Cyber Security services, supporting organisations across the UK with innovative, reliable and secure technology solutions., Oakford is a leading Cloud, Connectivity and Managed Services Provider with over 20 years’ experience supporting organisations across the UK.

With a team of 70+ specialists, we provide a true one-stop shop-from consultancy and support through to cloud, connectivity and telecoms. Our customers span Education, SME and Blue-Chip organisations, and our reputation is built on integrity, expertise and long-term partnerships.

We’re consistently growing, investing in our people and creating an environment where high performers are trusted, supported and rewarded.