United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
Direct reports25-100+ reports
Reports toChief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO)
UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Director of GRC · Head of Information Security Compliance · VP of Risk & Assurance

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Cyber Security Qualifi Ltd · Level 7 · covers 4 of 11 standards

ATHE Level 6 Award in Security Risk Management Consultancy ATHE Ltd · Level 6 · covers 4 of 11 standards

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England Pearson Education Ltd · Level 5 · covers 3 of 11 standards

NCFE Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Cyber Security (Diploma) NCFE · Level 3 · covers 5 of 11 standards

Qualifi Level 2 Diploma in Business Beginners in Cyber Security Qualifi Ltd · Level 2 · covers 3 of 11 standards

IAO Level 2 Award in Operational Delivery (Principles) Innovate Awarding · Level 2 · covers 3 of 11 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Security Management and Governance Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Cyber Security

Information and Cyber Security ATHE Level 6 Award in Security Risk Management Consultancy

Information Security Management Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing for England

Legislation and governance NCFE Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Cyber Security (Diploma)

Cyber Security Solutions Qualifi Level 2 Diploma in Business Beginners in Cyber Security

Information Security and Governance IAO Level 2 Award in Operational Delivery (Principles)

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner

Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision

AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly

Trust Fluency keeping the digital world safe

Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety

6 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

Security Management and Governance Qualifi Ltd · covers 4 of 11 standards Level 7
Information and Cyber Security ATHE Ltd · covers 4 of 11 standards Level 6
Information Security Management Pearson Education Ltd · covers 3 of 11 standards Level 5
Legislation and governance NCFE · covers 5 of 11 standards Level 3
Cyber Security Solutions Qualifi Ltd · covers 3 of 11 standards Level 2
Information Security and Governance Innovate Awarding · covers 3 of 11 standards Level 2

These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

AI Governance & Ethical AI Frameworks
Cyber Resilience Strategy & Operational Technology (OT) Security

Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluencyworking with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluencyturning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluencyusing AI responsibly
Trust Fluencykeeping the digital world safe

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

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Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

This director or VP role shapes an organisation's approach to information security and compliance. It covers setting the direction for ISO 27001 programmes and other compliance work, and leading a substantial team to carry it out.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Archer GRC Suite or ServiceNow GRC Strategic

Leading the strategic implementation, optimisation, and integration of enterprise GRC platforms across the business unit. You'll define the data model, reporting dashboards, and automation workflows to support your GRC strategy, overseeing a team of platform administrators.

Confluence & Jira (Advanced Workflows) Strategic

Setting the governance and architecture for the entire ISMS documentation and CAPA management within these tools. You'll ensure they support efficient GRC operations and provide clear audit trails, defining how the organisation uses them for compliance.

Diligent or Nasdaq Boardvantage Intermediate

Preparing, reviewing, and uploading comprehensive GRC reports and dashboards for C-Suite and Board consumption. Ensuring the data is accurate, insightful, and presented in a way that facilitates strategic decision-making.

Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint (Executive Level) Expert

Developing executive-level risk models, strategic GRC roadmaps, and compelling Board presentations. You'll use these to articulate complex issues, demonstrate programme effectiveness, and influence key stakeholders.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) / Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Platforms (e.g., Splunk, SentinelOne) Advanced

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of these platforms to define evidence collection requirements, assess security posture, and ensure they support continuous control monitoring. You won't be hands-on, but you'll direct their strategic use for GRC.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choice	Coming in	Where you are now	The step above
Strategic Direction of GRC Programme	No involvement; follows established procedures.	Proposes minor process improvements within existing frameworks.	Recommends significant changes to GRC methodologies; consults on strategic roadmap.
Budget Allocation & Spend	No budget authority; requests resources via supervisor.	Manages small project budgets (up to £5K) with manager approval.	Approves spend up to £25K for tools/training within approved project budgets.
Team Hiring & Organisational Design	No involvement beyond interviewing peers.	Participates in interviews for junior roles; provides feedback.	Leads hiring for individual contributor roles; inputs on team structure.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Certification & Audit Success Rate

Maintaining all required certifications (like ISO 27001) with minimal or zero major non-conformities.

Target · 100% certification retention with zero major non-conformities; less than 3 minor non-conformities per audit cycle.

Successfully passed the ISO 27001 recertification audit in Q2 2024 with no major findings and only 2 minor observations, down from 5 in the previous cycle.

Aggregate Information Security Risk Reduction

Demonstrating a measurable reduction in the overall risk exposure of the business unit through effective GRC programmes.

Target · Achieve a 10-15% reduction in the aggregate information security risk score year-over-year, based on our defined risk methodology.

The Q4 2024 risk assessment showed a 12% decrease in the overall business unit risk score compared to Q4 2023, driven by successful implementation of the new Third-Party Risk Management programme.

Programme Efficiency & Cost Optimisation

How effectively you manage the GRC budget and improve the operational efficiency of compliance activities.

Target · Reduce the person-hours required for the annual audit cycle by 20% within 18 months, and maintain GRC operational costs within a 5% variance of the approved budget (£2M-£10M+ P&L responsibility).

Implemented a new GRC platform that automated evidence collection, cutting manual effort by 25% and keeping the programme £150K under budget for the year.

Regulatory Engagement & Fines Avoidance

Proactive engagement with regulatory bodies and successful navigation of compliance requirements to avoid penalties.

Target · Zero regulatory fines or significant enforcement actions against the business unit.

Successfully responded to a data breach notification, demonstrating robust controls and transparent communication, resulting in no fines from the ICO.

Board & Executive Confidence

The level of trust and confidence that the C-Suite and Board have in the GRC function's ability to manage risk and ensure compliance.

You're regularly sought out for strategic advice on new business initiatives
your reports to the Board are clear, concise, and rarely challenged on accuracy
executives proactively involve your team in high-stakes decisions
positive feedback in annual 360-degree reviews from C-Suite peers.

Organisational Security Culture

The extent to which security and compliance are embedded into the daily operations and mindset of the business unit, beyond just your team.

Security awareness training completion rates are consistently high
employees proactively report potential security concerns
other departments actively seek GRC input early in project lifecycles
observed behaviour changes across the organisation reflecting a stronger security posture.

Team Leadership & Development

Your ability to build, mentor, and retain a high-performing GRC team that consistently delivers on strategic objectives.

High employee engagement scores within your team
low voluntary attrition rates
clear succession plans for key roles
observable growth and promotion of team members
positive feedback from direct reports and skip-level managers about your leadership and support.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy

Strategic Impact & Business Protection

You'll spend your days shaping the long-term security strategy, knowing that your decisions directly safeguard the company's future. This means presenting to the Board, influencing major investment decisions, and seeing your vision for a secure organisation come to fruition.

Leading the integration of security controls during a major acquisition, ensuring all new assets are brought into the ISMS scope smoothly and securely, protecting the combined entity from day one.

Building & Empowering High-Performing Teams

A significant part of your role is about leadership. You'll get energy from mentoring your managers, setting clear direction for a large team, and watching your people grow and succeed. You're building a legacy through your team's capabilities.

Implementing a new career development framework for your GRC team, resulting in a 20% increase in internal promotions and a noticeable uplift in team morale and capability.

Navigating Complexity & Solving Big Problems

You thrive on tackling ambiguous, enterprise-level challenges—like integrating new regulatory requirements across global operations or architecting a GRC programme that scales with hyper-growth. These aren't simple fixes; they require deep thought and cross-functional collaboration.

Designing and rolling out a new enterprise-wide data classification policy that balances security needs with operational efficiency, requiring buy-in from every department head.

What frustrates people

Dealing with executive-level resistance to necessary security investments, despite clear risk assessments.
The constant tension between business agility and strict compliance requirements, often feeling like you're the 'department of no'.
Inheriting legacy systems or processes that make compliance unnecessarily difficult and costly.
The sheer volume of regulatory changes and the challenge of keeping the entire organisation up-to-date and compliant.
Managing a large team means you'll spend less time on hands-on technical work and more on people management and strategic alignment.

What this role does not give you

A quiet, heads-down technical role where you can just focus on code or deep analysis.
Immediate gratification from daily task completion; your impact is felt over quarters and years.
A role with minimal political navigation; you'll be in the thick of it, constantly influencing and negotiating.
An environment where security is always the top priority without needing to justify its business value.

8Who you work with

Your decisions directly shape the risk posture, regulatory standing, and market reputation of a multi-million-pound business unit. You're responsible for ensuring we meet our compliance obligations, but more importantly, for embedding a culture of security and quality that drives long-term business resilience and competitive advantage. Your strategic choices can impact our ability to enter new markets, secure major client contracts, and even influence our valuation.

Inside the business

C-Suite (CEO, CFO, CTO, CISO)
Board of Directors (especially the Audit & Risk Committee)
Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Product & Engineering Leadership
Sales & Marketing Leadership
Internal Audit

Outside the business

External ISO 27001 Auditors (e.g., BSI, NQA)
Regulatory Bodies (e.g., ICO, FCA)
Key Industry Partners & Suppliers
Legal Counsel
Investors

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

A minimum of 16 years of progressive experience in Information Security, GRC, or a closely related field, with at least 8-10 years in a senior leadership or management role.
Demonstrable experience leading and managing large teams (20+ people) including other managers.
A proven track record of successfully managing multi-million-pound budgets and P&L responsibility.
Extensive experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining ISO 27001 certified Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) across complex organisations.
Deep understanding of enterprise risk management principles and methodologies, with experience presenting risk posture to executive leadership and boards.
Strong experience in engaging with regulatory bodies and managing external audits.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

GRC Platform Architecture & Ecosystem Integration

GRC platforms are becoming the central nervous system for compliance. You won't be configuring them day-to-day, but you'll need to architect how they integrate with other enterprise systems (HR, IT, ERP, SIEM) to create a seamless, automated GRC ecosystem. This is about data flow, automation, and reporting at scale.

API Integration Strategies · Data Normalisation & Standardisation · Automation of Control Monitoring · Dashboards & Executive Reporting

This quarter: Review the current state of our GRC platform integrations. Identify key pain points and data silos.
Next 6 months: Engage with GRC platform vendors and implementation partners to understand their roadmap and best practices for enterprise integration.
Next 12 months: Develop a multi-year roadmap for GRC platform evolution and integration, securing budget and resources.
Quick wins: Identify one manual evidence collection process that could be 80% automated through existing platform capabilities and task your team to implement it.

Quick win: Challenge your GRC platform manager to show you how they're planning to integrate with our HR system for automated access reviews. Push for a proof-of-concept.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up

Regularly attend and speak at industry conferences (e.g., RSA Conference, Infosecurity Europe, ISACA events) to maintain a strong network and stay abreast of emerging trends.
Participate in executive leadership programmes focused on digital transformation, strategic risk management, or organisational change.
Engage with peer groups and industry forums (e.g., CISO roundtables) to share insights and learn from others' experiences.
Mentor emerging talent within the GRC field, contributing to the broader industry and developing your own leadership skills.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

AI Governance & Ethical AI Frameworks

AI is no longer just a technical tool; it's becoming embedded in critical business processes. As we use more AI, we need to govern its risks, ensure ethical use, and maintain compliance. This isn't just a 'nice to have'—it's a regulatory imperative and a huge reputational risk.

AI Act (EU) & UK AI Regulation
AI Risk Assessment Methodologies
Responsible AI Principles
Data Lineage & Provenance for AI

Cyber Resilience Strategy & Operational Technology (OT) Security

It's no longer enough to prevent breaches; organisations must be resilient enough to withstand and quickly recover from them. This includes a growing focus on Operational Technology (OT) as the lines between IT and OT blur, especially in critical infrastructure sectors. Regulators are demanding proof of resilience, not just compliance.

Operational Resilience Frameworks (e.g., DORA, UK Financial Sector)
IT/OT Convergence Risks
Threat-Led Penetration Testing (TLPT)
Supply Chain Resilience

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

Enterprise GRC Framework Mastery
Advanced Risk Management Methodologies
Internal Audit Programme Leadership
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Strategy
M&A Security Due Diligence & Integration

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

1
Head of Information Security Compliance (from a large enterprise)
3-5 years in previous role
Skills to master
- Scaling compliance programmes, managing multi-functional teams, executive-level reporting, budget management, influencing without direct authority.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major compliance initiative (e.g., new certification, significant regulatory change) end-to-end.
- Consistently received strong feedback on executive communication and stakeholder management.
- Managed a team of 10+ people, including other managers, with demonstrable impact on their development.
- Proven ability to manage budgets over £1M and demonstrate ROI for compliance investments.
2
Senior GRC Manager (from a fast-growing scale-up)
4-6 years in previous role
Skills to master
- Building GRC functions from scratch, navigating hyper-growth environments, strategic vendor management, balancing agility with compliance, scaling processes.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully established or significantly matured a GRC function in a rapidly changing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to influence product and engineering roadmaps for security and compliance.
- Experience managing external audit relationships and maintaining certifications under pressure.
- Proven ability to attract, hire, and develop talent in a competitive market.
3
Consulting Director / Principal Consultant (from a Big 4 or specialist firm)
5-7 years at Director level in consulting
Skills to master
- Client relationship management, translating complex technical issues into business language, programme delivery, strategic advisory, managing diverse project teams.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple large-scale GRC transformation projects for diverse clients.
- Proven ability to build and maintain C-level client relationships.
- Strong understanding of various industry sectors and their unique compliance challenges.
- Experience managing consulting P&L and driving business development.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to a chief information security officer post, a chief risk officer post, or a chief compliance officer role. It can also open the door to a board or non-executive director position.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety is actually changing.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Security Management and Governance, worked against Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety.

Security Management and Governance Level 7

Applied to your work in Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of security management principles and their importance within an organisation. Learners will explore key components of practical cyber security management, including security policies, access control, and security technologies. Furthermore, they will learn how to effectively respond to cyber security incidents and understand the appropriate chain of events.

How the thinking builds

1 Remember
2 Understand
3 Apply
4 Analyse
5 Evaluate
6 Create

An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration

Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety

Enterprise GRC Framework Mastery
Advanced Risk Management Methodologies
Internal Audit Programme Leadership
Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) Strategy
M&A Security Due Diligence & Integration

This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
3-5 years

Enterprise-wide strategic leadership
- M&A security strategy and execution for the entire organisation
- Cyber insurance strategy and risk transfer
- Global regulatory affairs and lobbying
- Security budget ownership for the entire enterprise
Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO)
4-6 years

Broader enterprise risk or operational leadership
- Financial risk management
- Supply chain operations and logistics
- Legal & regulatory compliance for all business areas
- Strategic planning for overall business operations

Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Director, your time is precious. Imagine reclaiming hours each week from routine oversight, detailed report generation, and sifting through vast amounts of compliance data. AI isn't just for junior analysts; it's a powerful strategic partner that can transform how you lead and deliver value.

In the world of Compliance, Quality, Health, and Safety, AI can automate the mundane, highlight critical risks, and even draft complex reports, letting you focus on what truly matters: strategic leadership, team development, and protecting the business. Here's how AI can dramatically boost your productivity and the effectiveness of your GRC programme.

Automated Regulatory Intelligence

Use AI to continuously scan global regulatory updates, legal journals, and industry news, summarising key changes and flagging those relevant to your business unit. This means you're always ahead of the curve, without spending days on manual research.

Intelligent Risk Aggregation & Reporting

AI can ingest data from various risk registers, audit findings, and vulnerability scans, then aggregate and normalise it to provide a real-time, consolidated view of your business unit's risk posture. It can even draft executive summaries for your Board reports, highlighting critical trends and recommended actions.

Policy & Control Framework Optimisation

Leverage generative AI to analyse your existing policies and controls against industry best practices and new regulatory requirements. It can identify gaps, suggest improvements, and even draft updated policy language, ensuring your framework is always robust and fit for purpose.

Enhanced Third-Party Risk Assessment

AI tools can rapidly review vendor security questionnaires, SOC 2 reports, and other assurance documents, automatically extracting key control evidence and flagging potential risks or non-compliance. This significantly accelerates your TPRM programme, allowing your team to focus on deeper analysis.

Common questions

How do you become a Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety?

Common routes in include Head of Information Security Compliance (from a large enterprise) (3-5 years in previous role), Senior GRC Manager (from a fast-growing scale-up) (4-6 years in previous role) and Consulting Director / Principal Consultant (from a Big 4 or specialist firm) (5-7 years at Director level in consulting). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) (3-5 years) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO) (4-6 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety?

Increasingly, AI Governance & Ethical AI Frameworks and Cyber Resilience Strategy & Operational Technology (OT) Security. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Automation Fluency module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.

Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety

Where should we send it?

Two short quizzes about you

Will AI change your work as a Director/VP of Compliance_Quality_Health_Safety?

What's rising in its place

AI Governance & Ethical AI Frameworks

Cyber Resilience Strategy & Operational Technology (OT) Security

Skills this role draws on

Technical

How you actually get there, here

Head of Information Security Compliance (from a large enterprise)

Senior GRC Manager (from a fast-growing scale-up)

Consulting Director / Principal Consultant (from a Big 4 or specialist firm)

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

Roles this leads to

One to one, on the work you already do

Everything else the record holds

The career path, and where it branches

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

Chief Risk Officer (CRO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Where AI is starting to help

Automated Regulatory Intelligence

Intelligent Risk Aggregation & Reporting

Policy & Control Framework Optimisation

Enhanced Third-Party Risk Assessment

Common questions

Want a read on where you stand?