Head of Risk and Compliance

Head of Risk and Compliance

Contract: Government
Location: London / open to candidates nationwide
Hours of work: 40
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months

Our client, a leading provider of facilities services in the UK, is seeking a senior leader to act as the organisation’s top technical authority on risk and compliance across a large facilities management portfolio.

Job Overview

This role is accountable for ensuring all technical services are safe, legally compliant, well‑governed and operationally effective across a complex, multi‑site environment. The postholder will set the strategic direction for technical risk, compliance and resilience, while providing expert advice to senior leadership teams and clients on regulatory obligations, operational risk and assurance.

The position plays a critical role in protecting the organisation from technical, regulatory and commercial risk. It requires strong leadership, deep technical knowledge and the ability to influence at senior level while embedding robust governance frameworks across engineering and technical operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the strategy for technical risk, compliance and assurance across the facilities management portfolio
• Establish, implement and maintain robust governance frameworks across engineering and technical operations
• Act as the senior advisor on technical risk, statutory compliance and regulatory obligations
• Ensure statutory compliance across all technical services, including electrical, HVAC, fire, water, lifts and critical infrastructure
• Lead internal audits, external certifications and client assurance programmes
• Oversee risk identification, mitigation, escalation and reporting across operations
• Own and continuously improve the Business Continuity Management System aligned to ISO 22301
• Lead resilience planning, incident response and crisis management frameworks

Person Specification

• Significant senior leadership experience within technical services, engineering compliance or risk management in facilities management or the built environment
• Deep understanding of statutory compliance and engineering governance
• Proven experience managing compliance across complex, multi‑site operations
• Strong experience managing operational risk and critical incidents
• Commercial awareness within technical facilities management contracts
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills
• Ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams and clients
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery

Desirable Qualifications

• NEBOSH and/or IOSH
• IRM, MBCI or CBCI
• ISO 22301 Lead Implementer or Auditor
• Relevant engineering or technical qualifications