Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance

Djh; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Company pension

Private Medical Scheme

Birthday leave

Job summary

DJH is seeking a Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance to lead the group-wide GRC framework. You will work with the Director of GRC, Partners and the wider team to ensure compliant, well-governed operations and readiness for regulatory changes.

You’ll lead policy development, risk assessments, client due diligence and regulatory submissions while mentoring others in a fast-paced professional services environment. Flexible hybrid working is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in a compliance, risk, audit or legal role within professional services.
• Knowledge of ICAEW regulations, Practice Assurance, AML and data protection requirements.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical policies and processes.
• Professional qualification in compliance, risk, audit or governance.
• Strong written/verbal communication to advise Partners and Directors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and monitor the GRC framework, ensuring controls and compliance.
• Act as main contact for ICAEW, AML, client money and regulatory submissions.
• Provide practical risk and compliance guidance to partners and colleagues.
• Oversee due diligence, AML monitoring, internal audits and high-risk reviews.
• Maintain policies, risk registers and documentation aligned with requirements.
• Coordinate PI notifications, claims, complaints and regulatory queries.
• Support data protection, contractual compliance and regulatory change initiatives.
• Drive quality assurance, training and continuous improvement across the group.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Audit & assurance

Policy development

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Compliance/risk governance qualification

Job description

Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance

Department: Governance, Risk and Compliance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Stoke on Trent

Description

At DJH, our team is at the heart of everything we achieve. And no matter how much we grow, looking after our people will always be our #1 priority. We come in all shapes and sizes, with different qualities, experience and knowledge. Our differences create balance. And that is our superpower

By joining DJH we’ll be with you at every step, as you grow and develop and build a fantastic career. Together, we’ll achieve great things!

Let’s talk about the role…

As Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC), you’ll play a key role in the effective delivery of our group-wide GRC framework, working closely with the Director of GRC, Partners, Directors and the wider team. You’ll take ownership of a broad range of legal, regulatory, risk and compliance activities within the GRC function, providing practical advice and helping to ensure the firm remains compliant, well-governed and prepared for regulatory change.

It’s a great opportunity to develop and progress within a forward-thinking and fast-paced firm. You’ll:

• Lead and monitor key areas of the Governance, Risk & Compliance framework, ensuring actions, controls and compliance requirements are effectively maintained
• Act as a key point of contact for ICAEW and other regulatory matters, including practice assurance, AML, client money, DPB and regulatory submissions
• Provide practical risk and compliance advice to Partners, Directors and colleagues, escalating more complex matters where appropriate
• Oversee client due diligence, AML, compliance monitoring and internal audits, including higher-risk client reviews and specialist GRC projects
• Maintain and develop policies, registers, risk assessments and compliance documentation, keeping these aligned with regulatory and firm requirements
• Manage PI notifications, claims, complaints and regulatory queries, coordinating replies and maintaining appropriate records
• Contribute to data protection and contractual compliance activities, including reviewing documentation, managing queries and meeting regulatory requirements
• Support regulatory change, quality assurance, training and continuous improvement across the group

Let’s talk about you and your skills…

Ready for a new opportunity, you’ll:

• Have extensive experience in a compliance, risk, audit or legal role, ideally within a professional services environment, with proven experience managing or developing others
• Have a strong and practical knowledge of relevant ICAEW regulations, Practice Assurance, AML and data protection requirements
• Be skilled at translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance, policies and processes
• Hold a relevant professional qualification or certification in compliance, risk, audit, governance or a related field
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to advise and influence Partners, Directors and colleagues at all levels
• Be highly organised and detail-focused, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and regulatory requirements
• Be proactive and solutions-focused, with sound judgement and the ability to manage your own workload while knowing when to elevate
• Recognise the importance of confidentiality, discretion and professionalism when handling client information
• Have strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word, Outlook and Excel
• Be curious and keen to develop your technical expertise and keeping up to date with regulatory and compliance developments

Let’s talk benefits…

Here’s a few reasons to come and join us, but you’ll find loads more once you get your feet under the table:

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday allowance with an extra day off to celebrate your birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Flexible hybrid working
• Salary-sacrifice car scheme
• Tailored learning and development
• Company pension
• Salary-sacrifice Private Medical Scheme
• Mental health support
• A fully loaded wellbeing, social & community calendar

For this position, we are happy to consider someone based out of our Stoke on Trent, Manchester or Chester office. Together we achieve great things for our team, clients, communities and the planet. You can read more about life at DJH here.