Head of Security, Risk & Compliance (Global Remit)

Consult; Fareham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace is seeking a strategic Head of Security, Risk & Compliance to lead the company’s global security, safety, and regulatory posture. You will shape governance, ensure international regulatory adherence across defence and civilian markets, and advise executives and external stakeholders.

The role requires leading cross‑functional teams, embedding resilience and data protection, and guiding export controls and sanctions compliance in a fast‑growing tech organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in security, compliance, risk management or related disciplines.
• Experience within defence, aerospace, national security, advanced technology or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrable experience managing export controls, sanctions compliance and contractual obligations.
• Strong understanding of security governance, risk management and organisational resilience.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Eligibility to obtain Security Clearance (SC).

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering SYOS's global security strategy.
• Establishing governance across personnel, facilities, operations and programmes.
• Leading security incident response and protective security measures.
• Ensuring compliance with customer, government and national security requirements.
• Providing executive oversight of cyber security and information assurance.
• Leading programmes relating to export controls, sanctions, international trade compliance, data protection and contractual obligations.
• Developing crisis management, business continuity and organisational resilience programmes.
• Building and leading a high-performing Security, Safety & Compliance function.

Skills

Senior leadership

Security governance

Risk management

Compliance

Export controls

Sanctions compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Security Clearance SC

Job description

Head of Security, Risk & Compliance (Global Remit)

SYOS Aerospace

About SYOS

SYOS is a pioneering aerospace and technology company developing utilitarian autonomous vehicles across air, land and sea. Operating within defence and commercial markets, we design cutting-edge uncrewed systems that help solve complex real-world challenges.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Head of Security, Risk & Compliance to lead and shape our global approach to security, resilience, safety and regulatory compliance.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for protecting our people, assets, information, facilities and reputation while ensuring compliance with the complex regulatory obligations associated with operating in international defence and civilian markets.

Reporting to the Chief of Operations & Programmes, you will act as the organisation's principal authority for security, safety, compliance and resilience, providing trusted advice to executives, customers, regulators and government stakeholders.

What You'll Be Doing

Security Leadership

• Developing and delivering SYOS's global security strategy.
• Establishing governance across personnel, facilities, operations and programmes.
• Leading security incident response and protective security measures.
• Ensuring compliance with customer, government and national security requirements.

Travel Risk & Global Mobility

• Creating a global travel security programme.
• Conducting country and destination risk assessments.
• Managing support for colleagues travelling to higher-risk locations.
• Overseeing emergency communications and incident response capabilities.

Information Security & Cyber Governance

• Providing executive oversight of cyber security and information assurance.
• Partnering with Technology and Engineering teams to embed security into products and systems.
• Supporting customer audits, accreditations and regulatory assurance activities.
• Acting as Data Protection Officer.

Compliance & Regulatory Leadership

• Owning the company's compliance strategy and governance framework.
• Leading programmes relating to export controls, sanctions, international trade compliance, anti-bribery, data protection and contractual obligations.
• Driving a proactive, risk-based compliance culture across the organisation.

Safety, Risk & Resilience

• Leading health, safety and environmental management.
• Developing crisis management, business continuity and organisational resilience programmes.
• Providing regular reporting and risk oversight to the Executive Team and Board.

Leadership

• Building and leading a high-performing Security, Safety & Compliance function.
• Developing scalable processes and governance structures to support business growth.
• Championing integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

• Significant senior leadership experience in security, compliance, risk management or related disciplines.
• Experience within defence, aerospace, national security, advanced technology or other highly regulated industries.
• Demonstrable experience managing export controls, sanctions compliance and contractual obligations.
• Strong understanding of security governance, risk management and organisational resilience.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Eligibility to obtain Security Clearance (SC).

Desirable

• Experience supporting classified programmes and government customers.
• Knowledge of UK, US and international export control regulations, including ITAR, EAR and UK Export Control legislation.
• Professional qualifications in security, risk management, compliance, or related disciplines.

Location & Travel

This role is hybrid with regular presence across SYOS UK locations. Frequent national and international travel will be required, including travel to higher-risk regions where appropriate.

The SYOS Mindset

Curious people. Big ideas. A team that gets things done.

We collaborate, move quickly, challenge ideas and take ownership.

Come build with us. Grow with us.

This role requires UK Security Check (SC) clearance. For more information on UK security vetting and eligibility requirements, please refer to the UKSV National Security Vetting guidance for applicants.

We are not accepting unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies. Any CVs sent without prior agreement, including those shared directly with hiring managers, will be considered gifted and no fees will be payable.

Required Skills

security strategy risk management compliance regulatory affairs