Head of Compliance & Ethics

Douglas Scott Legal Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food producer is seeking a European Head of Ethics & Compliance to implement and manage a compliance framework across multiple businesses. This high-profile role requires a UK-qualified lawyer or experienced compliance professional with over 8 years of experience, focusing on ethical standards and compliance in a multinational environment.

Benefits

Opportunity to shape a modern compliance function

Work within a sustainability-focused food business

Collaborative leadership environment

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in compliance.
• Proven experience managing compliance in a multinational group.
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Responsibilities

• Deliver timely and high-quality ethics and compliance advice across all business units.
• Develop, maintain, and update internal compliance policies.
• Lead, motivate and develop a dedicated Ethics & Compliance team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

UK-qualified lawyer

Job description

The business operates across 40+ sites in the UK, Ireland, France, and The Netherlands and is seeking a European Head of Ethics & Compliance.

This is a high-profile and strategic leadership role for a senior compliance professional or UK-qualified lawyer, with the opportunity to design, lead, and embed a best-in-class ethics and compliance programme across multiple businesses.

About the Business: This leading food producer partners with local farmers to deliver high-quality, sustainable food across poultry, pork, lamb, and beef supply chains. The group includes several household-name brands and supplies own-label, branded, and food-service products across fresh and chilled categories.

Role Overview: The European Head of Ethics & Compliance will be responsible for implementing, managing, and continuously improving the compliance framework across a complex multinational environment. This includes twelve trading entities operating under one group structure. The successful candidate will play a key role in safeguarding the organisation’s integrity and driving an ethical, compliant culture.

Pleasenotethattherolerequiresworkingfromthecompany’sofficein West London fivedaysaweek.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver timely and high-quality ethics and compliance advice across all business units
• Develop, maintain, and update internal compliance policies, ensuring alignment with both local and global standards
• Lead annual compliance communications and training programmes across the region
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (HR, Internal Audit, Finance) to identify, assess, and mitigate risk
• Regularly report compliance performance metrics and participate in global leadership forums
• Stay abreast of industry regulations, trends, and emerging risks
• Lead, motivate and develop a dedicated Ethics & Compliance team

Focus Areas:

• Vendor Compliance
• GDPR & Data Protection
• Anti-Corruption & Bribery
• Criminal Finances
• Anti-Trust / Competition Law
• Whistleblowing

Requirements:

• A UK-qualified lawyer or experienced compliance professional with 8+ years of relevant experience
• Proven experience managing compliance in a complex, multinational group
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical standards
• Capable of working autonomously while also leading a collaborative and high-performing team

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to shape a modern, dynamic compliance function in a high-impact role
• Work within a respected, sustainability-focused food business with iconic brands and strong values
• Collaborative leadership environment with a clear focus on integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement

Pleasenotethattherolerequiresworkingfromthecompany’sofficein West London fivedaysaweek.