Head of Risk & Compliance

Alfa AI; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Alfa AI is seeking a Head of Risk & Compliance to lead safeguarding, safety and operational compliance across the business. You will manage the Candidate Vetting Team, drive policy adherence, and report risk to the Board while ensuring robust controls and audit readiness.

The role covers governance, supply chain compliance, and regulatory requirements, with a focus on training, investigations, and improving risk management practices enterprise-wide.

Qualifications

• Experience leading compliance in regulated sectors such as recruitment or similar.
• Ability to compile and present risk and compliance reports to senior leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and robust audit and investigations skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and manage safeguarding investigations and officer training.
• Lead risk management including risk appetite, controls, and reporting to the board and executives.
• Oversee audits of policy, compliance, and ISO standards; liaise with external auditors and regulators.
• Drive compliance training and build risk awareness across the organisation.

Skills

Compliance management

Regulated sector experience

Analytical reporting

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Risk assessment

Tools

ISO 9001

ISO 14001

ISO 18001

Job description

Role Description | Head of Risk & Compliance

Safeguarding & Operational Compliance

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for regulated sectors, including training and managing operational Designated Safeguarding Officers, facilitating safeguarding investigations, and authorising actions taken during case management. This includes attendance at strategy meetings with LADO, police, social services and schools, and holding professional review meetings with candidates where necessary.
• Manage the Candidate Vetting Team, including setting procedures, training requirements, and acting as the point of contact for queries and escalations
• Act as subject matter expert on Right to Work, Agency Workers Regulations, IR35/off-payroll working status determinations, Modern Slavery Act, Equality Act and whistle-blowing policy & procedure.
• Assist with client contract reviews where required and facilitate solicitor involvement
• Provide input into business strategy and advise the board of directors on compliance matters
• Manage company’s risk register including quantification of ‘risk appetite’ i.e. level of risk the company is prepared to accept
• Report risk in an appropriate way for different audiences, for example, to the Board of Directors so they understand the most significant risks, to business heads to ensure they are aware of risks relevant to their parts of the business and to individuals to understand their accountability for individual risks
• Conduct audits of policy and compliance to standards, including liaison with external auditors & Regulatory authorities
• Undertake investigations that may arise following complaints or audit failures
• Provide support, education and training to staff to build risk awareness within the organisation, and facilitate the wider compliance training schedule across the business

Quality Assurance

• Execute a program of regular sample checks and controls testing into the recruitment process, ‘deep dives’ and more broadly-based thematic reviews – working in conjunction with the functional and divisional heads. Reviews will cover the business’s recruitment process for contractual and legal compliance.
• Responsible for maintaining and running our annual ISO audits (including 9001, 14001 and 18001) and administration of the company’s Business Management System (BMS), ensuring that the company retains its accreditations
• Manage the internal audit schedule and facilitate internal and external audit requests through to completion, including Group auditors and framework clients
• Report on Management Information to vendor and framework clients
• Become an expert in Morgan Hunt Policies & Procedures, external legislation, Client Contract requirements and regulatory requirements to ensure a sound understanding of the different and varied compliance requirements; lead the adoption of legislative and regulatory changes into company processes and procedures, ensuring they are effectively rolled out, communicated and understood by staff. Carry out regular audits and checks to ensure compliance to company policies.
• Create and update audit tools for new contract wins and amendments to requirements
• Lead and manage compliance projects across the business, including ad hoc compliance projects and spot audits

Supply Chain Management

• Take a lead on the development of processes and procedures to enhance the quality and compliance of the entire network of delivery suppliers
• Manage and develop the supply chain to ensure they meet all contractual key performance indicators and service standards
• Carry out annual audits of umbrella providers and other approved or prospective intermediary PSL suppliers
• Lead the relationship with all key external suppliers from a risk and compliance standpoint

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in compliance management within a regulated sector, ideally within the recruitment industry
• Able to compile reports, analyse, interpret and interrogate data (making relevant recommendations)
• Excellent interpersonal skills - approachable, helpful, enthusiastic and responsive
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to identify and assess the adequacy of controls frameworks and make appropriate control recommendations
• Ability to constructively challenge where appropriate, including senior levels, and add value by working with them to enhance their business controls

Desired Skills / Experience

• Understanding of compliance and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 and Employment Agencies Act 1973, including all subsequent amendments
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001
• Experience of construction and public sector legislative requirements