Role Profile: Compliance Manager (Internal Audit & Risk)
Company:Opus Group (NW) LtdReports to:Head of Business GovernanceDirect Reports:Internal Auditors (by function/department)Location:Warrington HQ (with site travel as required)
Role Purpose
The Compliance Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining a robust internal compliance, audit, and risk framework across all Opus Group (NW) business units.
The role ensures that departmental processes are adhered to, risks are identified and mitigated, and governance standards are consistently applied, supporting safe, efficient, and high-quality operational delivery.
A key focus is the deployment of structured internal audits across all departments, ensuring compliance with regulatory, contractual, and internal business requirements.
Main responsibilities:
A. Internal Audit & Assurance
- Develop and manage a group-wide internal audit programme covering all departments:
- Planning
- Streetworks
- Operational Delivery
- Reinstatement
- Electrical Operations & Data Management
- Commercial
- Plant & Transport
- HR & Payroll
- SHE (Safety, Health & Environment)
- Finance
- Traffic Management
- Recycling
- Assign and manage department-specific internal auditors
- Conduct scheduled and unannounced audits
- Ensure standardised audit checklists and scoring systems (RAG reporting)
- Produce audit reports with clear findings, actions, and owners
- Track close-out of audit actions
- Develop and maintain a Group Risk Register
- Lead departmental risk identification workshops
- Ensure risks are:
- Logged
- Assessed (Likelihood x Impact)
- Assigned owners
- Mitigated and reviewed regularly
- Identify systemic risks and recurring audit failures
- Escalate high-risk issues to senior leadership
C. Governance & Compliance Framework
- Implement and maintain business governance standards
- Develop and manage:
- Policies & procedures (SOPs)
- Compliance manuals
- Process maps & RACIs
- Ensure alignment with:
- ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001)
- Client/framework requirements (e.g. DNOs)
- Streetworks legislation (NRSWA/SROH)
D. Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Build and maintain compliance dashboards (RAG status)
- Report monthly on:
- Audit scores by department
- Outstanding actions
- Risk profile changes
- Compliance trends
- Identify opportunities to:
- Improve processes
- Reduce risk exposure
- Increase efficiency
- Work closely with Head of Transformation to embed improvements
- Promote a “Right First Time” and “No evidence, no completion” culture (e.g. DepotNet alignment)
F. Training & Engagement
- Governance responsibilities
- Drive a positive compliance culture, not a policing one
KPIs / Success Measures
- % of audits completed vs plan
- Audit scores (trend improvement across departments)
- % of actions closed within deadline
- Reduction in repeat non-conformances
- Risk exposure reduction (high/critical risks)
- Compliance with client/framework standards
- Evidence compliance rates (e.g. DepotNet usage)
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in compliance, audit, or governance role
- Strong understanding of:
- Utilities / infrastructure sector
- Streetworks & reinstatement requirements
- Experience implementing audit frameworks and risk systems
- Strong analytical and reporting capability
- Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders
- Knowledge of ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001)
- Experience in multi-department operational businesses
- Background in utilities (DNO frameworks preferred)
- Strong attention to detail
- High integrity and accountability
- Proactive and solutions-focused
- Ability to drive cultural change
- Organised and structured approach
Organisational Structure
Strategic Value to Business
This role is critical in:
- Protecting the business from regulatory and financial risk
- Supporting growth into new frameworks and clients
- Embedding a scalable governance structure for £50m+ growth
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