Head of Risk

Green Recruitment Company; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is looking for an experienced Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance to join their leadership team in Southampton. This role involves overseeing legal and compliance frameworks while ensuring alignment with sustainability goals. Ideal candidates will have strong risk management experience and the ability to influence at board level. A competitive salary and flexible hybrid working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible hybrid working

Supportive team culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in risk management, compliance, or legal oversight within complex sectors.
• Proactive, pragmatic, and solution-focused approach.
• Confidence to influence at board level and collaborate across functions.
• Strong interest in the Net Zero and sustainability agenda.

Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation's legal, risk, and compliance strategy.
• Advise senior leadership on contractual, regulatory, and ethical matters.
• Oversee policies, risk registers, and internal governance processes.
• Support sustainability-related reporting and assurance requirements.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance.
• Engage with external advisors, regulators, and industry bodies.

Skills

Risk management

Compliance

Legal oversight

Commercial acumen

Sustainability commitment

Job description

We’re seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Legal, Risk & Compliance to join our leadership team. This is a wide‑remit, high‑impact role— ideal for someone who wants to blend commercial acumen, governance expertise, and purpose‑driven leadership.

About the Role

In this position, you’ll take overall responsibility for legal oversight, enterprise risk management, and regulatory compliance across our rapidly growing organisation. You’ll work closely with the executive team to ensure that our operations, projects, and partnerships align with both our sustainability goals and our governance obligations.

While you’ll need a solid grounding in legal, regulatory, and compliance frameworks, you do not need to be a qualified lawyer— commercial experience and sound judgement are what matter most.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation’s legal, risk, and compliance strategy, ensuring robust frameworks support our growth.

• Advise senior leadership on contractual, regulatory, and ethical matters.

• Oversee policies, risk registers, and internal governance processes.

• Support sustainability‑related reporting and assurance requirements.

• Partner with teams across the business to promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and compliance.

• Engage with external advisors, regulators, and industry bodies as needed.

About You

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience in risk management, compliance, or legal oversight, ideally within complex or regulated sectors.

• A proactive, pragmatic, and solution‑focused approach.

• The confidence to influence at board level and collaborate across all functions.

• A strong interest in — or commitment to — the Net Zero and sustainability agenda.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission‑led organisation driving meaningful environmental impact.

• Join a dynamic and supportive team culture.

• Shape and own a critical strategic function with real autonomy.

• Enjoy a competitive salary and flexible hybrid working based in Southampton.