Head of Compliance

HydraB; Oxford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension - matched up to 8% employer

Private medical & dental

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Life assurance - 4x basic salary

Income protection

Electric car salary sacrifice

Cycle to Work scheme

Eyecare vouchers

Job summary

HydraB is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance in Oxford to design and embed a brand-new Ethics & Compliance Programme. You will own the framework, covering anti-bribery, sanctions, third-party due diligence, anti-financial crime and human rights, reporting to the Group General Counsel.

You will translate complex legal concepts for the business, lead training, and act as the face of compliance across the Group, guiding policy and practice across multiple operating companies.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in corporate ethics and compliance, with UK Bribery Act knowledge.
• Hands-on third-party due diligence experience and red-flag reviews.
• Experience building and running compliant programmes; can advise independently.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Group's ethics & compliance focal point across the organisation.
• Develop, implement and maintain group-wide ethics and compliance policies and processes.
• Own the third-party due diligence process and escalate red flags.
• Establish and run monitoring programmes and risk assessments; test controls.
• Manage internal investigations and report findings to senior management.
• Track regulatory developments and keep policy documentation current.
• Deliver training and awareness activity on compliance and ethical practice.
• Contribute to the Group's Code of Conduct and annual Modern Slavery Statement.

Skills

Corporate ethics

Due diligence

UK Bribery Act

Policy development

Training & awareness

Regulatory monitoring

Tools

Compliance management software

Job description

About the job

We're looking for an experienced Head of Compliance to build and lead our Ethics & Compliance Programme, on a full-time basis. This is a brand new, standalone role reporting to our Group General Counsel, based in Oxford.

The Context

The UK's zero-emission transport sector is being built right now. HydraB is at the centre of it - developing the vehicles, hydrogen infrastructure, power systems and energy services that move decarbonisation from ambition to operational reality across bus, coach, fleet and energy markets.

Five operating companies. One Group. As we scale, so does our regulatory footprint - this role owns the ethics and compliance framework that keeps pace with it.

The Role

This is a new, standalone role with real ownership - you'll design, build and embed the Group's Ethics & Compliance Programme from the ground up, rather than inherit an existing one. You'll cover anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions, third-party due diligence, anti-financial crime and human rights, and be the escalation point when things need closer attention.

Soft skills matter as much as technical knowledge here. You'll be the face of compliance across the Group - who can translate complex legal and regulatory concepts into plain language.

What You'll Actually Do

• Act as the Group's subject matter focal point for ethics and compliance, covering anti-bribery and corruption, trade sanctions, third-party due diligence, anti-financial crime and human rights
• Develop, implement and maintain Group-wide ethics and compliance policies and processes, including gifts and hospitality, conflicts of interest and third-party due diligence
• Own the third-party due diligence process, acting as the escalation point for reviewing red flags
• Establish and run compliance monitoring programmes and risk assessments, identifying gaps and testing control effectiveness
• Manage or support internal investigations through to resolution, reporting findings and recommendations to senior management
• Track regulatory and legal developments, keeping policy documentation current and accessible
• Deliver guidance, training and awareness activity across the Group on compliance requirements and ethical practice
• Provide input into the Group's Code of Conduct, Whistleblowing Policy and annual Modern Slavery Statement
• Partner closely with Legal, Risk and operational teams to keep compliance aligned with wider Group objectives

You'll Be a Great Fit If You

• Have at least 3 years' experience in corporate ethics and compliance, with solid knowledge of relevant law including the UK Bribery Act
• Have hands-on experience running third-party due diligence and reviewing red flags
• Have a good working knowledge of anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions, third-party due diligence, anti-financial crime and human rights and labour conditions
• Have a track record of building and running compliance programmes, and delivering training and advice independently
• Are a strong communicator and listener first and foremost - this role only works if people trust and engage with you
• Are comfortable managing multiple projects and competing deadlines independently, with mature judgement and a pragmatic approach

Nice to Have

• Experience in energy, transportation or a similarly operationally complex or heavy-industry environment
• Experience conducting investigations
• Familiarity with compliance management software and tools
• Membership of a compliance professional body, or a relevant compliance certification

What We Offer

• Pension - matched up to 8% employer contribution
• Private medical & dental
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays, with buy & sell flexibility
• Life assurance - 4x basic salary
• Income protection
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Employee referral bonus
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7, 365 days
• Retail discounts & cashback via Fizz Benefits
• Eyecare vouchers - Specsavers

HydraB is pioneering the UK's transition to net zero energy and transport - building the hydrogen and electric infrastructure that gets the sector to scale.