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

Director, Integrated Management Systems

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As Director, Integrated Management Systems, a good place to start on AI-Powered Predictive Compliance & Risk Management is Planning Automation Across a Department, a free Future Fluency module at Level 5. You'd practise working out what in your department's work could be automated, what should not be, and what to recommend.

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  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports25-50 reports
  • Reports toVP, EHSQ Systems & Compliance
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Head of IMS & Compliance · Divisional EHSQ Systems Director · Director of Quality & Safety Systems

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

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

Highfield Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management (RQF) Highfield Qualifications · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management Innovate Awarding · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards
MPQC Level 3 Certificate in Safety, Health and Environmental Knowledge MP Awards · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards
IWFM Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management · Level 4 · covers 1 of 10 standards

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

The units you would start with

Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Highfield Level 7 NVQ in Construction Senior Management (RQF)
Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Level 5 Diploma in the Practice of Process Safety Management
Managing quality and quality systems IAO Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership
Awareness of Managing Health and Safety at Mineral Extraction Sites MPQC Level 3 Certificate in Safety, Health and Environmental Knowledge
Implement health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures IWFM Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice

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
Automation Fluency building AI into how work runs
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director, Integrated Management Systems

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

  1. Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Highfield Qualifications · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  3. Managing quality and quality systems Innovate Awarding · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  4. Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility Chartered Management Institute · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  5. Awareness of Managing Health and Safety at Mineral Extraction Sites MP Awards · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 3
  6. Implement health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 4
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, Integrated Management Systems?

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-Powered Predictive Compliance & Risk Management
  • ESG Reporting & Strategy Integration
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

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, Integrated Management Systems plan as you set up, starting with the free Automation Fluency module. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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 role means setting the Compliance, Quality, Health and Safety strategy for a whole business unit. You design integrated management systems that keep a business safe, compliant and efficient, and you lead a substantial team to make it work.

4What you'd actually use

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

EHSQ/IMS Platforms (Intelex, Cority, VelocityEHS, Enablon) Strategic/Architect

Leading the selection, negotiation, and strategic roadmap for enterprise-level IMS platforms, ensuring they meet the business unit's evolving needs and integrate seamlessly with other systems. You'll be the ultimate decision-maker on how these platforms are used and developed.

GRC Platforms (ServiceNow GRC, LogicGate, Archer GRC Suite) Strategic/Architect

Architecting the enterprise risk and compliance framework within these platforms for the business unit, ensuring alignment with global standards and providing strategic oversight of their deployment and optimisation.

BI & Reporting (Power BI, Tableau) Strategic/Architect

Defining enterprise-wide CQHS KPIs and dashboards for the business unit, presenting data stories to the board and executive leadership, and ensuring robust data governance for all compliance data.

Doc Control & Collab (SharePoint, Confluence, Veeva QualityDocs) Strategic/Architect

Setting the enterprise document management policy for controlled and uncontrolled information within the business unit, selecting and overseeing the implementation of platforms to ensure data integrity and audit readiness.

Exec/Board Reporting (Diligent Boards, Nasdaq Boardvantage) Strategic

Directly managing the CQHS section of board packs, using these platforms to communicate critical risk and compliance information to the Board and C-suite, ensuring clarity and impact.

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 choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Strategic IMS Roadmap for Business Unit N/A N/A Recommends strategic options to IMS Director.
Business Unit CQHS Budget Allocation (£2M-£10M+) N/A N/A Manages project budgets up to £50K, consults Director on larger spend.
Major IMS Platform Selection & Vendor Contracts N/A N/A Evaluates technical aspects of vendors, provides input to Director.
Organisational Design for IMS Team (within BU) N/A N/A Provides input on team structure and resource needs.
Response to Major External Audit Findings N/A N/A Leads the response for specific audit findings, reports to Director.

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.

Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) Reduction
Reducing the financial costs associated with quality failures, reworks, incidents, and non-conformances within the business unit.
Target · Achieve a 15-20% year-over-year reduction in COPQ for the business unit.

If our COPQ was £5M last year, we'd aim to bring it down to £4M-£4.25M this year by optimising processes and preventing incidents.

External Audit Performance & Recertification Success
Ensuring 100% successful recertification across all ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001) for the business unit, with zero major non-conformances (NCs) and a reduction in minor NCs.
Target · Zero major NCs; <5 minor NCs per certification cycle; 100% on-time recertification.

Successfully completing the ISO 45001 recertification for our manufacturing sites with only 2 minor observations, down from 7 last cycle.

Leading Indicator Engagement & Improvement
Increasing proactive engagement with safety and quality reporting (e.g., near-miss reporting, safety observations, hazard identification) and ensuring these lead to preventative actions.
Target · 25% increase in safety observations/near-miss reports submitted per employee; 90% closure rate of associated preventative actions within agreed timelines.

Seeing a consistent month-on-month rise in near-miss reports, from 50 to 65, with 92% of identified actions completed within 30 days.

IMS Platform Adoption & Data Quality
Ensuring high adoption rates of our EHSQ/GRC platforms across the business unit and maintaining excellent data quality for reliable reporting.
Target · 95% active user engagement with key modules; <2% data entry error rate in critical fields.

Our incident reporting module showing 98% of all incidents logged directly in the system, and a spot check revealing only 1% of mandatory fields were incomplete.

Strategic Influence & Buy-in
Being seen as a trusted advisor by business unit leadership, with your strategic input actively sought and incorporated into business planning.
  • You're regularly invited to strategic planning sessions, not just operational ones. Business leaders proactively ask for your input on new projects or acquisitions. Your recommendations for system improvements or policy changes are adopted without significant resistance, often with strong sponsorship from the top.
Organisational Resilience & Preparedness
The business unit's ability to quickly recover from unforeseen events (e.g., regulatory changes, major incidents) due to robust systems and proactive planning.
  • When a new regulation drops, your team has already identified the impact and started planning the response. During a significant incident, the response is swift, coordinated, and follows established protocols, leading to minimal disruption. External auditors comment on the maturity and effectiveness of our systems.
Team Leadership & Development
Building and leading a high-performing IMS team, fostering a culture of expertise, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
  • Your direct reports are consistently hitting their targets and showing clear career progression. Retention rates within your team are excellent. You're known for developing future leaders, and your team is seen as a 'centre of excellence' within the wider organisation.

7Would you like it

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

What people enjoy
Driving Strategic Impact

You'll be leading multi-year programmes to transform our CQHS systems, seeing your vision become reality across a large business unit. This means chairing steering committees, presenting strategic roadmaps, and making decisions that genuinely move the needle on safety and quality.

Successfully rolling out a new enterprise-wide risk management framework that reduces our overall risk exposure by 10% and gets praised by external auditors.

Building High-Performing Teams

You'll be responsible for the growth and development of a substantial team, including managers. This involves setting clear objectives, mentoring future leaders, and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. You'll get to see your team members thrive and take on bigger challenges.

One of your IMS Managers getting promoted to a Head of Compliance role in another division, directly attributing their growth to your leadership and support.

Solving Complex Organisational Challenges

You'll be tackling intricate problems that span multiple departments, sites, and regulatory jurisdictions. This isn't about simple fixes; it's about untangling complex issues, designing elegant solutions, and implementing them at scale. Think M&A integration challenges or responding to significant regulatory shifts.

Successfully integrating the IMS of a newly acquired company with completely different standards and processes, achieving full compliance within 12 months.

What frustrates people
  • The constant battle to justify investment in 'non-revenue generating' compliance systems.
  • Dealing with the 'check-box' mentality where people do the bare minimum for an audit, missing the spirit of continuous improvement.
  • The political dance required to get buy-in from different business unit leaders who have competing priorities.
  • The sheer volume of regulatory changes and trying to keep up across multiple jurisdictions and business lines.
  • Inheriting legacy systems and fragmented data from acquisitions, making it a nightmare to get a 'single source of truth'.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable routine with minimal stakeholder interaction.
  • A role where you only focus on technical implementation without strategic oversight.
  • The ability to avoid difficult conversations or challenging senior leaders.
  • A guarantee that every single initiative you champion will be implemented exactly as planned.

8Who you work with

This role directly shapes the operational integrity and risk profile of a multi-million-pound business unit. Your decisions influence everything from our environmental footprint to employee safety, and ultimately, our ability to operate and grow. You're a critical defence against regulatory non-compliance and reputational damage, making sure we're not just ticking boxes, but building a genuinely resilient and responsible organisation.

Inside the business
  • Business Unit Managing Directors
  • Heads of Operations, HR, and Engineering for your business unit
  • Finance Leadership (for budget reviews)
  • Legal and Regulatory Affairs teams
  • Internal Audit Committee
Outside the business
  • External Certification Bodies (e.g., BSI, SGS, DNV)
  • Regulatory Authorities (e.g., HSE, Environment Agency)
  • Key Clients (especially during tenders)
  • Industry Associations

9What you need before you start

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

  • Extensive experience (12-16+ years) in Integrated Management Systems or a closely related CQHS leadership role, with a proven track record of managing large teams and significant budgets.
  • Demonstrated success in leading and achieving ISO certifications (9001, 14001, 45001) for complex organisations or business units.
  • Significant experience in designing, implementing, and optimising EHSQ/GRC platforms at an enterprise level.
  • Proven ability to influence and engage senior executive stakeholders, including C-suite and Board members.
  • Strong understanding of enterprise risk management principles and their application within a CQHS context.
  • A track record of driving cultural change and embedding a proactive approach to safety, quality, and environmental management.

10What to practise next

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

Digital Transformation Leadership for IMS

Simply digitising old paper processes isn't enough. We need true digital transformation – rethinking how we use technology to fundamentally improve our CQHS outcomes, from real-time data collection via IoT to automated workflow orchestration.

IoT Integration for Real-time Monitoring · Workflow Automation & Robotic Process Automation (RPA) · Cloud-Native IMS Architectures · Data Mesh & Data Fabric Concepts

  • This quarter: Research leading examples of digital transformation in CQHS within our industry or similar sectors.
  • Next 6 months: Engage with our IT leadership to understand our enterprise digital strategy and how IMS can align.
  • Next 12 months: Identify 2-3 high-impact digital transformation initiatives for your business unit's IMS and develop pilot projects.
  • Ongoing: Challenge your team to think beyond current tools and processes, fostering an innovative mindset.

Quick win: Identify one manual, repetitive IMS task in your business unit that could be automated with a simple workflow tool (e.g., Microsoft Power Automate) and task a manager to pilot it.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend industry conferences and seminars (e.g., IOSH, IEMA, CQI events) to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.
  • Actively participate in professional bodies and special interest groups, contributing to the advancement of CQHS practices.
  • Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) in areas such as leadership, digital transformation, and advanced risk management.
  • Seek out opportunities for executive coaching or mentorship to further refine your strategic leadership and influencing 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-Powered Predictive Compliance & Risk Management

Regulators are getting smarter, and the volume of data is exploding. We can't just react to incidents; we need to predict them. AI will shift our focus from retrospective analysis to proactive intervention, identifying 'hotspots' before they become problems. Competitors are already using this to gain an edge.

  • Machine Learning for Anomaly Detection
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Regulatory Intelligence
  • Predictive Modelling for Incident Forecasting
  • Ethical AI in Compliance

ESG Reporting & Strategy Integration

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors are no longer just 'nice-to-haves'; they're critical for investor relations, client tenders, and talent attraction. Our IMS needs to seamlessly support robust, auditable ESG reporting, moving beyond just environmental compliance to a broader sustainability agenda.

  • Sustainability Reporting Frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD)
  • Carbon Accounting & Net Zero Roadmapping
  • Social & Human Capital Metrics
  • ESG Due Diligence in M&A

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Enterprise Integrated Management Systems Design & Architecture
  • Advanced Risk Management Frameworks (ISO 31000, COSO ERM)
  • Organisational Change Management for Compliance
  • Process Optimisation & Lean Methodologies (at Scale)
  • M&A Integration for CQHS Systems

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. 1

    From IMS Manager (L5) within a large organisation

    3-5 years as an IMS Manager

    Skills to master

    • Deepen strategic planning capabilities, P&L management for a functional area, executive stakeholder management, and leading managers (not just individual contributors).

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a major IMS platform implementation or upgrade.
    • Managed a team of 10+ people, including at least 2-3 direct reports who were managers.
    • Consistently delivered strong audit results with zero major non-conformances.
    • Presented strategic recommendations to senior leadership (e.g., Head of Business Unit, VP level).
  2. 2

    From Director of EHS or Quality in a smaller/mid-sized company

    5-8 years as a Director, looking for a larger scope

    Skills to master

    • Adapting to the complexity of a larger, multi-national organisation, navigating more intricate internal politics, and managing a significantly larger budget and team.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully built and scaled an EHS or Quality function from the ground up.
    • Managed all aspects of regulatory compliance and certification for their previous company.
    • Demonstrated strong commercial acumen and ability to link CQHS to business value.
    • Experience with M&A integration from a CQHS perspective.
  3. 3

    From a Senior Management Consultant specialising in GRC/EHSQ

    8-10 years in consulting, with significant project leadership

    Skills to master

    • Transitioning from project-based work to long-term operational ownership, building and developing an internal team, and navigating internal organisational dynamics rather than external client relationships.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Led multiple large-scale IMS implementation or transformation projects for diverse clients.
    • Managed client relationships at a senior executive level.
    • Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills in complex business environments.
    • A desire to 'own' the outcomes and build a lasting impact within one organisation.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to wider executive roles, such as Chief Operating Officer or a seat on a board as a Non-Executive Director.

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, Integrated Management Systems 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 Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management, worked against Director, Integrated Management Systems.

Direct the management of design development and processes in construction management Level 7

Applied to your work in Director, Integrated Management Systems

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to direct the management of design development and processes in construction management, including the identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential hazards and risks. Learners will be able to manage the design process, coordinate with stakeholders, and monitor the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 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, Integrated Management Systems
  • Enterprise Integrated Management Systems Design & Architecture
  • Advanced Risk Management Frameworks (ISO 31000, COSO ERM)
  • Organisational Change Management for Compliance
  • Process Optimisation & Lean Methodologies (at Scale)
  • M&A Integration for CQHS Systems
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, Integrated Management Systems is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP, EHSQ Systems & Compliance (L7)

    3-5 years in the Director role

    From business unit strategy to enterprise-wide strategy and board-level accountability.

    • Leading a global EHSQ technology roadmap.
    • Driving enterprise-wide cultural transformation programmes.
    • Managing relationships with major international regulatory bodies.
    • P&L ownership for the entire EHSQ function (typically £10M+).
  2. Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) / Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

    5-8 years in the Director role, potentially with an interim VP step

    From EHSQ systems to broader enterprise compliance and risk across all domains (financial, legal, operational).

    • Designing and overseeing a holistic enterprise-wide compliance framework.
    • Leading a diverse team of compliance, legal, and risk professionals.
    • Managing relationships with global financial and legal regulators.
    • Driving ethical culture and governance across the entire organisation.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, leading Integrated Management Systems at this level means a lot of strategic thinking, but also a mountain of reporting, analysis, and process oversight. Imagine if a significant chunk of that could just… happen. AI isn't here to replace you; it's here to give you back your most valuable asset: time. Time to focus on strategy, team development, and truly impactful change.

We're investing heavily in AI tools to supercharge our Compliance, Quality, Health & Safety functions. For a Director, this means less time chasing data and drafting reports, and more time making critical decisions and driving the business forward. Think of it as having a highly efficient, tireless assistant for your most repetitive, data-heavy tasks.

CAPA & NC Automation Assistant

Imagine AI drafting initial Non-Conformance (NC) reports based on audit notes, suggesting potential root causes by analysing historical data, and even auto-generating reminders and escalations for overdue Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs). You'll spend less time chasing and more time strategising solutions.

Predictive Risk Hotspotting

AI can analyse incident, near-miss, and observation data from across your entire business unit. It'll identify emerging trends and predict which locations, processes, or even teams are at the highest risk for a future event. This lets you proactively deploy resources and interventions before something goes wrong, not after.

Regulatory Change Summariser

Staying on top of ever-changing regulations across different geographies and industry sectors is a full-time job in itself. Our AI scans regulatory databases and legislative updates, providing you with concise summaries of changes and flagging which internal policies and procedures within your business unit are likely impacted. No more wading through dense legal texts.

Audit & Management Review Scribe

AI can generate first drafts of complex internal audit reports, structuring notes and evidence into a coherent narrative. For your crucial Management Review meetings, it synthesises KPI data from various dashboards into a draft executive summary, highlighting key trends, anomalies, and areas for strategic discussion. This frees you up to lead the conversation, not just prepare for it.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director, Integrated Management Systems?

Common routes in include From IMS Manager within a large organisation (3-5 years as an IMS Manager), From Director of EHS or Quality in a smaller/mid-sized company (5-8 years as a Director, looking for a larger scope) and From a Senior Management Consultant specialising in GRC/EHSQ (8-10 years in consulting, with significant project leadership). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director, Integrated Management Systems progress to?

This role can lead on to VP, EHSQ Systems & Compliance (3-5 years in the Director role) and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) / Chief Risk Officer (CRO) (5-8 years in the Director role, potentially with an interim VP step), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director, Integrated Management Systems?

Increasingly, AI-Powered Predictive Compliance & Risk Management and ESG Reporting & Strategy Integration. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

More jobs in compliance, quality and safety

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.

If you leave this industry

Expertise in integrated management systems, risk and compliance transfers across industries with complex operations, such as manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and logistics. The principles of sound systems and risk management apply everywhere.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

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.