Head of Compliance
14 hours ago
City of London
Job Description Head of Compliance – Europe Location: London, United Kingdom About the Company Our client is one of the world's leading retail companies, publicly listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, with a rapidly expanding international footprint across Europe, North America, and Asia. As the business continues to invest in its omnichannel and cross-border e-commerce capabilities, it is seeking an exceptional compliance leader to help shape and strengthen its European compliance framework. About the Role This is a senior leadership position within the European Compliance organization, responsible for building and leading the operational compliance and product safety function across Europe. Working in close partnership with the Legal team, this role will ensure that products, operations, and supply chain activities comply with applicable European regulations while enabling sustainable business growth and maintaining customer trust. The successful candidate will lead a network of Compliance Business Partners across multiple European markets, together with a UK-based central compliance team responsible for trade compliance, product safety, and dangerous goods compliance. Key Responsibilities Compliance Strategy & Leadership • Define and execute the European compliance and product safety strategy across food and non-food retail operations., • Build and scale the regional compliance operating model, governance framework, policies, controls, and organizational capabilities., • Ensure compliance strategy supports business growth while maintaining the highest standards of customer safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence., • Act as the senior compliance leader for Europe and serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on regulatory and compliance matters., • Partner closely with Legal while maintaining clear accountability for operational compliance and product safety. Leadership of the European Compliance Function • Lead, coach, and develop a geographically dispersed team of Compliance Business Partners across Europe., • Manage the UK-based central compliance organization responsible for specialist compliance functions., • Establish consistent compliance standards, governance mechanisms, operating procedures, and best practices across all European markets., • Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and risk awareness. Product Safety, Trade Compliance & Dangerous Goods • Oversee compliance programs covering product safety across multiple retail categories., • Lead European trade compliance activities, including customs, import/export regulations, product classification, sanctions screening, and restricted goods., • Partner closely with logistics and supply chain teams to ensure compliance in warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment operations., • Ensure full compliance with European regulations governing the storage, handling, and transportation of dangerous goods. Enterprise Risk & Governance • Develop and lead the European compliance risk management framework., • Identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate operational, regulatory, and customer risks across the business., • Establish governance structures, compliance monitoring programs, reporting mechanisms, and internal controls., • Drive root-cause analysis and implement scalable solutions to strengthen long-term compliance capability. Cross-Functional Business Partnership • Collaborate with senior leaders across Product, Commercial, Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Public Policy, Tax, Technology, and Corporate Affairs., • Embed compliance and product safety considerations into new business initiatives, market expansion, and strategic projects., • Provide practical, risk-based guidance that balances regulatory requirements with commercial objectives. Regulated Products & Emerging Compliance Areas • Support the development of compliance frameworks for regulated product categories, including pharmacy, healthcare, food, consumer products, and other regulated sectors., • Build specialist compliance capabilities as the business expands into new markets and product categories., • Monitor emerging European regulatory developments and ensure timely implementation across the organization. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's degree in Law, Business, Risk Management, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, or a related discipline. An advanced degree is an advantage., • Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in compliance, product safety, regulatory affairs, or risk management within retail, e-commerce, logistics, consumer goods, or related industries., • Demonstrated experience leading multi-country compliance organizations across Europe., • Strong knowledge of European product compliance, consumer product safety, trade compliance, customs regulations, sanctions, import/export controls, and dangerous goods regulations., • Experience working with regulated product categories, ideally including food, healthcare, pharmacy, or consumer products., • Deep understanding of European regulatory frameworks and cross-border retail operations. Leadership Competencies • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical business solutions., • Strong commercial acumen and sound judgment., • Proven experience influencing executive leadership and managing complex stakeholder relationships., • Outstanding leadership skills with experience building and developing high-performing international teams., • Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and presentation skills., • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth, and highly regulated international environment., • Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, drive organizational change, and build scalable compliance capabilities. What We Offer • Opportunity to join one of the world's leading NASDAQ-listed retail companies., • Executive leadership role with significant influence across Europe., • Exposure to complex international operations and strategic growth initiatives., • Collaborative, high-performing, and diverse global leadership environment., • Competitive executive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career development opportunities.