Head Of Compliance

Fortress Recruit is now looking for a Head of Compliance to join a leading international defence engineering organisation, taking a senior leadership role within their Portsmouth based business.

Reporting directly to the MD, you''ll become a key member of the leadership team with responsibility for driving compliance, governance and operational assurance across the business. This is a broad leadership role covering a variety of internal and external teams, whilst also influencing compliance strategy across a wider global business.

This is not a specialist technical role focused on one discipline. Instead, you''ll lead experienced managers and subject matter experts, ensuring the right governance, processes and controls are in place to support a highly regulated defence environment. You''ll work across the business balancing priorities, managing risk and helping teams understand not only what needs to be done, but why it matters.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the Export Control & Trade Compliance, Quality Assurance, IT & Cyber Security and Operational Development functions.
• Managing, coaching and developing a team of experienced managers whilst driving a culture of compliance, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Acting as the senior compliance lead for the UK business whilst supporting wider governance initiatives across an international engineering group.
• Providing strategic oversight of export control, trade compliance and defence regulatory requirements including UK Strategic Export Controls, EAR and ITAR.
• Leading business readiness for customer, regulatory and certification audits across multiple compliance disciplines.
• Overseeing site, personnel and information security governance, ensuring ongoing compliance with UK Government and defence customer requirements.
• Supporting cyber security governance and the ongoing development of compliance with frameworks including NIST, Cyber Essentials Plus, CMMC and ISO 27001.
• Maintaining and continually improving the Business Management System, ensuring compliance with ISO standards and quality assurance requirements.
• Working closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial and international stakeholders to embed compliance into business decision making.
• Identifying compliance risks, supporting investigations where required and implementing pragmatic corrective actions to protect the business.
• Driving governance improvements, policy development and operational change across a complex engineering organisation.

To be considered for this role, you''ll have:

• Previous experience leading compliance, governance, quality assurance, cyber security or operational development within a defence, aerospace, maritime or highly regulated engineering environment.
• A broad understanding of Export Control and Trade Compliance, including UK Strategic Export Controls, EAR and ITAR.
• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems including ISO 9001, with exposure to standards such as ISO 14001 and ISO 27001 (advantageous)
• An appreciation of defence cyber security frameworks including NIST, Def Stan 05-138, Cyber Essentials Plus and CMMC.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organisations.
• The ability to balance multiple priorities whilst providing pragmatic, risk based solutions within a highly regulated environment.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills, with the confidence to engage at executive, customer and operational levels.
• A proactive, collaborative leadership style with a focus on continuous improvement, governance and business performance.
• Eligibility for ITAR and SC clearance (5 years'' UK residency without visa or sponsorship requirement)

This is an excellent opportunity to join a globally recognised engineering organisation in a highly visible leadership position, offering genuine influence across both UK operations and international business functions. You''ll lead an established team, shape the future direction of compliance and governance and play a key role in supporting the continued growth of a business delivering complex engineering solutions into the global defence sector.

This is a full time, permanent position based in Portsmouth, offering a competitive salary, car allowance and bonus, comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work with international stakeholders across Europe, Asia and North America (approx. 20% travel requirement UK and internationally).

For a confidential conversation or to request a full job description, please get in touch with a copy of your up to date CV.