Senior Global Compliance Manager - The Cardinal Partnership (Manchester)

Cardinal Global Logistics; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cardinal Partnership is seeking a Senior Global Compliance Manager for our Manchester office to develop and coordinate the group’s compliance framework and reporting across global operations. You will work with specialists and owners to define responsibilities, controls and escalation pathways while growing with the group’s international footprint.

You will lead on sanctions, trade compliance, anti-bribery and third-party risk, ensuring policies, records and training are up-to-date and

Qualifications

• Senior compliance, governance, regulatory or risk role in international business.
• Experience in logistics, freight forwarding, shipping or regulated environments is advantageous.
• Knowledge of sanctions, trade compliance, anti-bribery and third-party risk management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Group-wide compliance framework, risk register and records.
• Lead sanctions, trade compliance, anti-bribery and third-party risk initiatives.
• Provide oversight across Customs/AEO, Health & Safety, Data Protection/GDPR, ESG compliance.
• Coordinate reviews and assurance across UK and international operations; track actions to completion.
• Identify dependencies and improve process documentation, resilience and cover.
• Support policies, procedures, training and ownership of compliance responsibilities.

Skills

Senior compliance

Governance

Regulatory risk

International business

Logistics knowledge

Third-party risk management

Management reporting

Stakeholder management

Policy development

Communication skills

Education

Professional compliance/legal/risk/governance qualifications

Job description

At The Cardinal Partnership, we're not just a company; we're a partnership in both name and nature. As the world's largest employee-owned logistics organisation, we proudly house two beloved brands, Cardinal Global Logistics and Far Logistics. When you join our team, you become a partner in our collective success.

People have always been at the heart of what we do and we have an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit that has transformed a modest £15,000 investment into an industry-leading enterprise. We tailor these services to meet the precise needs of our 6000+ customers.

Join us in providing exceptional service and shaping the next chapter of our partnership journey. In return, you'll enjoy a competitive salary and enhanced benefits.

We are looking for a Senior Global Compliance Manager to join our Business Operations team at our Manchester office.

The Senior Global Compliance Manager will develop and coordinate the Group’s compliance framework, providing oversight, assurance and clear reporting across our global operations. Working with existing specialists and functional owners, the role will help ensure responsibilities are clear, key risks and dependencies are understood, appropriate controls and records are in place, and significant issues are escalated. The role is expected to grow as the Group’s international footprint and compliance requirements develop.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Group-wide compliance framework, risk register and key compliance records.
• Lead the Group approach to sanctions, trade compliance, anti-bribery and corruption and third-party compliance risk, including due diligence and escalation standards.
• Provide oversight across Customs/AEO, Health & Safety, O Licence/fleet, Data Protection/GDPR and ESG-related compliance, working with existing specialist owners.
• Coordinate compliance reviews and assurance activity across UK and international operations, tracking identified actions through to completion.
• Identify key-person dependencies in critical compliance activities and support improved process documentation, resilience and effective cover.
• Support clear, up-to-date policies, procedures, training and ownership of key compliance responsibilities across the Group.
• Coordinate the Group Compliance Committee, provide clear reporting to the Director of Business Operations and Board where required, and ensure significant concerns are escalated quickly.
• Practical and commercially aware, applying compliance requirements proportionately and focusing on the areas of greatest business risk.
• Confident and credible, able to challenge where required while maintaining strong working relationships.
• Collaborative and supportive, working effectively with specialists, operational teams and senior stakeholders across different regions and cultures.
• Strong judgement and integrity, with the confidence to handle sensitive matters and elevate concerns appropriately.
• Highly organised and comfortable building structure, managing priorities and following actions through to completion.
• Clear and effective communicator, able to explain complex compliance matters in a straightforward way.

Key skills and relevant qualifications

• Strong experience in a senior compliance, governance, regulatory or risk role within an international or multi-jurisdictional business.
• Experience in logistics, freight forwarding, shipping, supply chain, international trade or another regulated environment would be advantageous.
• Good working knowledge of sanctions, trade compliance, anti-bribery and corruption and third-party risk management.
• Experience developing compliance frameworks, risk registers, policies, controls, assurance programmes and management reporting.
• Experience working with senior management and reporting clearly on material risks, incidents and improvement actions.
• Awareness of Customs/AEO, Health & Safety, Data Protection/GDPR, O Licence/fleet and ESG-related compliance would be beneficial; expertise in every area is not required.
• Relevant professional compliance, legal, risk or governance qualifications would be beneficial, supported by strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

We hire individuals not just based on their experience and skills, but also on their character. Our team members are enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated to finding solutions for our clients. We believe in fostering a fun and supportive work environment, but above all, we are committed to exceeding expectations.

At The Cardinal Partnership, every employee is empowered to reach and surpass their potential. We remain steadfast in creating enduring business relationships and achieving long-term, sustainable success.

Leestone RoadSharston Ind EstateSharstonManchesterM22 4RBUnited Kingdom