Compliance & Governance Specialist

NQC Ltd.; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice scheme

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Hybrid working policy

Health Cash Plan

Learning & Development via iHasco

Job summary

NQC Ltd. in Manchester seeks a Compliance & Governance Specialist to drive regulatory integrity and governance across our ESG and due-diligence platforms.

You will bridge complex UK/European regulations with internal processes, audit data validation workflows, and embed independence policies while delivering targeted staff training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law, Regulatory Compliance, Sustainability, Finance, or related field.
• Prior exposure to ESMA or FCA regulatory frameworks or entities.
• Desirable knowledge of European/UK ESG frameworks (CSRD) and conflict-of-interest management.
• Experience in internal audit, regulatory compliance, risk management or QA in SaaS/FinTech or ESG rating.

Responsibilities

• Research ESG legislation and translate into internal audit controls.
• Audit data-driven workflows and identify process gaps.
• Maintain inspection-ready audit logs and compliance documentation.
• Act as ESG governance authority and uphold independence.
• Deliver training on independence and conflict-of-interest policies.
• Handle ad-hoc duties as assigned.

Skills

ESG regulations

Internal audit

Regulatory compliance

SaaS/FinTech

Conflict of interest

Data validation

Education

Law degree

Regulatory compliance degree

Job description

About your new company

NQC is a successful and growing software company specialising in supply chain risk management platforms. We’re in the ‘Tech for Good’ space, providing online web platforms which are in use by some of the largest organisations across a number of industries.

Based in central Manchester, NQC offers a supportive working atmosphere within a diverse team of people. We work on a hybrid model and regularly meet up outside of the office for team socials and company events. This is an opportunity to work on globally recognised technology solutions used by major brands throughout the world, and become part of an exciting long term plan for sustainability, and a better future.

About your new role

The Compliance & Governance Specialist will be a key member of our Sustainability and Trade Compliance team, driving the regulatory integrity, independent governance, and compliance frameworks of NQC’s industry-leading supply chain due diligence products.

You will bridge the gap between complex international ESG legislation and internal technical processes, ensuring our platform meets the strict requirements of the industry. By acting as an objective internal resource, you will audit our data validation workflows, address conflicts of interest, and ensure our products remain trusted, transparent, and fully compliant.

Key Responsibilities

As a Compliance & Governance Specialist, you are expected to undertake the following responsibilities as part of your day to day activities:

• Research international ESG legislation and convert complex compliance mandates into internal audit frameworks and operational controls.
• Analyse validation data, sampling methodologies and cross-departmental workflows to identify process gaps, ensure procedural consistency, and actively address organisational or commercial conflicts of interest.
• Build, maintain, and update robust, inspection-ready internal audit logs, compliance policies, and documentation to ensure platform practices reflect evolving global regulatory standards and are ready for external scrutiny.
• Act as the internal authority on ESG governance and rating independence, ensuring industry compliance standards are deeply embedded into our data validation lifecycle.
• Deliver targeted training and briefings to staff to ensure company-wide alignment on independence protocols, ethical boundaries, and conflict-of-interest policies.
• Any other ad-hoc duties as assigned.

To be successful for this role, you will ideally meet these requirements:

• Essential: A Bachelors or Masters degree in Law, Regulatory Compliance, Sustainability, Finance, or a related field.

• Essential: Prior exposure to regulatory frameworks overseen by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), or experience within an ESMA/FCA-regulated entity.
• Desirable: Specialised knowledge of European and UK ESG regulatory frameworks (including the CSRD), with a practical understanding of conflict-of-interest management and rating independence.
• Proven experience working in internal audit, regulatory compliance, risk management, or quality assurance - ideally within a SaaS, FinTech, or credit/ESG rating environment.
• Strong research and investigative skills with the ability to audit data-driven workflows, spot subtle process deviations, and translate complex regulations into practical internal controls.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage an entire audit lifecycle from scratch while maintaining exceptional cross-functional diplomacy and professional boundaries within a compact team.
• A genuine passion for corporate transparency, accountability, and a commitment to driving ethical data standards in the global ESG ecosystem.

Key Competencies

• Is consistently motivated, committed and able to perform duties in all situations.
• Communicates and receives ideas, views and information to achieve understanding.
• Champions NQC’s values and consistently acts in a principled, open and conscientious manner, challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Plans and prioritises activities and resources to maximise performance and minimise errors.
• Thinks creatively and embraces opportunities for change.
• Works collaboratively with cross-functional teams and acts as a team player while supporting colleagues.

• Hybrid working policy - 60% office-based

• Salary sacrifice scheme
• 25 days holiday (Increasing with service) + bank holidays
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Health Cash Plan
• Learning & Development through iHasco platform
• 24/7 Access to a Virtual GP
• Life Assurance (4 x Salary after 6 months)
• YuLife - employee discounts and wellbeing platform
• Regular company socials & events