Contractor Experience & Compliance Lead

Smiths News plc; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Cash Plan

Pension match 5%

25 days holiday

Training & Development opportunities

Sharesave Scheme

Cycle to work

Colleague Assistance Programme

Colleague referral scheme

Free onsite parking

Job summary

Smiths News plc in Swindon is hiring a Contractor Experience and Assurance Lead to oversee Self Employed Delivery Contractor Drivers across the network. You will translate contractor feedback into practical improvements, strengthen retention, and ensure compliant working practices.

You will build relationships with depots, lead engagement initiatives, and coach management on compliant relationships with contractors. The role demands early-morning starts and flexibility to travel to depots.

Qualifications

• Frontline credibility and sound judgement to translate contractor insights into action.
• Strong stakeholder relationship-building across operations and contractor groups.
• Ability to turn qualitative feedback into clear actions and measurable improvements.
• Flexible and mobile, willing to work nights and early mornings to visit depots.
• Practical knowledge of employment law and worker-status compliance, including IR35.
• Experience in final-mile delivery, logistics or working directly with delivery drivers.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a regular presence in depots, engaging Self Employed Delivery Contractor Drivers.
• Gather and interpret contractor feedback, identifying recurring themes and proposing solutions.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen contractor engagement culture across the depot network.
• Assist new self employed contractors with a positive introduction and onboarding.
• Test and escalate worker-status compliance issues in day-to-day operations.
• Coach depot management on compliant behaviours when working with contractors.
• Drive activity to reduce contractor churn and track impact of actions.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Contractor engagement

IR35 knowledge

Logistics experience

Communication

Job description

Smiths News plc in Swindon is hiring a Contractor Experience and Assurance Lead to oversee Self Employed Delivery Contractor Drivers across the network. You will translate contractor feedback into practical improvements, strengthen retention, and ensure compliant working practices.

You will build relationships with depots, lead engagement initiatives, and coach management on compliant relationships with contractors. The role demands early-morning starts and flexibility to travel to depots.