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

Director, CQHS Governance & Risk

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 Compliance & Quality Officer
UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as VP, Compliance Systems Assurance · Head of GRC Systems (CQHS) · Director of Enterprise Audit & Risk (CQHS)

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

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

CICM Level 5 Diploma in Credit and Collections Management Chartered Institute of Credit Management · Level 5 · covers 1 of 10 standards

FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards

FDQ Level 3 Diploma for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence FDQ Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards

GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician) GQA Qualifications Limited · Level 3 · 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

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

Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements CICM Level 5 Diploma in Credit and Collections Management

Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Level 3 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Manufacturing Excellence

Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician)

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

Systems Fluency seeing the whole picture

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Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director, CQHS Governance & Risk

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

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
Managing quality and quality systems Innovate Awarding · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements Chartered Institute of Credit Management · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
Manage compliance to support achieving excellence in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 3
Comply with External and Internal Obligations within a Bulk Storage Operations Environment GQA Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3

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, CQHS Governance & Risk?

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 in GRC
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Assurance

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
Automation Fluencybuilding AI into how work runs
Systems Fluencyseeing the whole picture

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, CQHS Governance & Risk plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

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

Start my Director, CQHS Governance & Risk plan, free Ready to pay? Subscribe for £70 a month

3What this role really is

Sets the strategic direction for compliance, quality and health and safety risk across a business unit.

4What you'd actually use

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

EHS/GRC Platforms (Intelex, Enablon, Cority) Strategic

Leading platform selection, vendor negotiations, defining enterprise-wide data governance, and overseeing major integration projects. You'll be directing your team on how to best use and configure these systems for maximum strategic value.

Audit Management Systems (AuditBoard, Workiva, TeamMate) Architect

Owning the relationship with the vendor, defining the enterprise strategy for integrated assurance (e.g., SOX, ESG, and CQHS modules), and ensuring the platform supports the entire audit lifecycle from planning to reporting at a business unit level.

Data Analysis & Visualisation (Power BI Premium, Tableau Server) Strategic

Directing the data analytics strategy for the entire GRC function. Defining KPIs, overseeing the development of executive-level dashboards that provide real-time views of the control environment, and using these insights to drive strategic decisions.

Document & Process Management (SharePoint, Confluence, Visio) Strategic

Designing the information architecture for the entire GRC knowledge management system. Setting policies for document retention and control across the enterprise and ensuring audit methodologies are consistently documented and accessible.

Enterprise Systems (SAP S/4HANA, Oracle ERP) Advanced

Advising on control design for new ERP implementations or upgrades, understanding the integration points between the ERP and specialist CQHS systems, and ensuring the ERP supports GRC data requirements at a strategic level.

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
GRC Technology Strategy	No input, uses assigned tools.	Proposes improvements to existing tool configurations.	Designs and implements new modules or integrations within existing GRC platforms.
Regulatory Interpretation & Policy	Applies existing policies and procedures.	Interprets regulations for specific audit tests, escalates ambiguities.	Advises business on interpretation of complex regulations for specific processes.
Team & Organisational Structure	None.	Provides informal feedback to peers.	Mentors 1-2 junior auditors.

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.

Control Environment Maturity Score

Improve the overall maturity level of our GRC systems and controls across the business unit.

Target · Increase maturity from 'Managed' (Level 2) to 'Defined' (Level 3) within 24 months, as per COBIT/COSO frameworks.

Our current COBIT maturity for IT controls supporting CQHS is 2.5. Your target is to get us to 3.5 by Q4 2026, meaning processes are documented, standardised, and consistently applied.

Reduction in Critical CQHS Risk Score

Lower the aggregate risk score for the top 5-10 critical compliance, quality, and health & safety risks identified by the business unit.

Target · Achieve a 15% year-over-year reduction in the aggregate risk score for identified critical risks.

If our top risk (e.g., 'Major Environmental Spill due to System Failure') has a current score of 20 (Likelihood x Impact), you'd aim to reduce it to 17 or lower by implementing new system controls and audit programmes.

Audit Programme ROI

Demonstrate tangible value (cost savings, avoided fines, improved efficiency) generated by the systems audit function.

Target · Show that the audit function identifies value (cost savings, risk avoidance, operational efficiency gains) at least 3x the department's annual operating budget.

Your department's budget is £1M. You'd need to show £3M+ in identified savings from process optimisations, avoided regulatory fines, or insurance premium reductions directly attributable to your team's findings and recommendations.

Timely Regulatory Compliance

Ensure the business unit's systems and processes are updated to meet new or changed regulatory requirements before deadlines.

Target · 100% compliance with all new critical regulatory requirements by their effective dates, with zero non-compliance penalties.

When the new 'Environmental Reporting Act 2027' comes into force, your systems and processes for data collection and submission must be fully compliant and audited by the deadline, with no last-minute scrambling.

Strategic Influence & Advisory

Your ability to influence C-suite and business unit leadership on GRC strategy and technology investments.

You're regularly invited to executive strategy sessions, your input is actively sought on major system implementations (e.g., new ERP), and you're seen as a trusted advisor, not just an auditor. You'll be presenting to the Board Audit Committee quarterly, influencing their decisions on risk appetite and control spend.

Talent Development & Retention

The health and capability of your team, including their growth and ability to meet future challenges.

Your team has a low attrition rate (below 10%), a clear succession plan for key roles, and a high percentage of team members achieving their development goals. You'll have a reputation for building strong, capable leaders who can step up.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

How effectively your team works with IT, Legal, Operations, and other business functions to embed GRC principles.

Other department heads proactively reach out to your team for advice on control design for new projects. There are clear, agreed-upon SLAs for GRC support, and joint initiatives (e.g., data governance programmes) are successfully delivered with shared ownership.

7Would you like it

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

What people enjoy

Building a Resilient Enterprise

You'll spend your days designing large-scale GRC programmes, selecting and implementing enterprise-level software, and shaping corporate policy. You're driven by the idea of creating a system that truly protects the business from major risks.

Leading the selection and implementation of a new enterprise GRC platform that integrates risk, audit, and compliance data across multiple business units, knowing it will fundamentally improve our control environment.

Strategic Influence & Impact

You'll be regularly engaging with C-suite executives and the Board, presenting your vision, and seeing your recommendations directly influence significant business decisions and investments. Your impact is felt at the highest levels.

Successfully convincing the Board to invest £5M in a new AI-powered continuous control monitoring system, based on your strategic roadmap and projected ROI.

Developing Future Leaders

A significant part of your role is mentoring and coaching your direct reports (who are often managers themselves). You'll get satisfaction from seeing your team grow, take on more responsibility, and become strong leaders in their own right.

Guiding a manager through a complex regulatory change project, empowering them to lead their team and present their findings directly to a VP, setting them up for their next promotion.

What frustrates people

Dealing with executive-level resistance to change, especially when it involves significant investment or disruption.
The slow pace of enterprise-level technology implementations and the inevitable political wrangling that comes with them.
Being accountable for risks that are technically owned by other departments, but fall under your GRC oversight.
The constant need to justify the value of proactive compliance and risk management to those who only see it as a cost centre.
Inheriting legacy systems and processes that are deeply embedded and incredibly difficult to change, despite their inherent risks.

What this role does not give you

Daily, hands-on technical auditing work.
A quiet, heads-down environment with minimal meetings.
Immediate gratification from solving individual problems (you'll be solving systemic, long-term ones).
A role where you don't have to deal with organisational politics or budget constraints.

8Who you work with

You'll directly shape the risk posture and operational resilience of a multi-million-pound business unit. Your decisions influence where we invest in GRC technology, how we respond to emerging regulations, and ultimately, our licence to operate. Get it right, and you'll protect significant P&L; get it wrong, and the impact could be business-critical, with board-level visibility.

Inside the business

C-Suite (CEO, CFO, COO)
Business Unit VPs and Directors
Head of IT and Cyber Security
Legal Counsel
Risk Management Committee
Board Audit Committee

Outside the business

Regulatory bodies (e.g., HSE, EPA, OSHA)
External Auditors (e.g., ISO certification bodies)
Key vendors and technology partners
Industry associations and peer groups

9What you need before you start

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

A proven track record of leading and managing large, multi-disciplinary GRC or systems audit teams (25+ people) in a complex organisational environment.
Extensive experience (16+ years) in designing, implementing, and overseeing enterprise-level GRC programmes and technology solutions.
Demonstrable experience presenting to and influencing C-suite executives and Board Audit Committees on risk, compliance, and control matters.
Deep expertise in at least one major GRC platform (e.g., Intelex, Enablon, Cority) and a strategic understanding of the broader GRC tech landscape.
A comprehensive understanding of international standards (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and control frameworks (COSO, COBIT) at a strategic application level.

10What to practise next

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

Cloud Security & Compliance Architecture

More of our critical systems and data are moving to the cloud. You need to understand the unique compliance and security challenges of cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) to ensure our GRC strategy adequately addresses them, often requiring new audit approaches and control designs.

Cloud Shared Responsibility Model · Cloud Security Frameworks · Cloud Compliance Auditing · DevSecOps Integration

This quarter: Engage with your Head of IT Security to understand our current cloud strategy and key risks.
Next 6 months: Sponsor a training programme for your lead auditors on cloud security fundamentals and compliance.
Next 12 months: Develop a specific audit programme for our critical cloud-based systems, focusing on configuration and access controls.
Ongoing: Review cloud vendor contracts for compliance with our regulatory obligations and data protection policies.

Quick win: Ask your IT team for a high-level overview of our cloud architecture and identify the top 3 compliance concerns they have. This will give you a starting point for strategic discussions.

Advanced Analytics & Predictive GRC

Moving beyond reactive auditing, the future of GRC is about predicting where risks will emerge. This requires a strategic understanding of how to use advanced analytics, machine learning, and big data to identify patterns, forecast compliance breaches, and proactively intervene.

Predictive Modelling for Risk · Big Data GRC · Continuous Control Monitoring (CCM) · Data Visualisation for Executives

This quarter: Review existing data analytics capabilities within your team and identify gaps for predictive GRC.
Next 6 months: Partner with the Data Science team to explore potential use cases for predictive analytics in CQHS risk management.
Next 12 months: Invest in training for your managers on advanced data analytics concepts and their application to GRC.
Ongoing: Push for the integration of GRC data with broader business intelligence platforms to enable richer analysis.

Quick win: Identify one high-volume, high-risk process (e.g., incident reporting) and explore how simple statistical analysis could predict future incidents based on historical data. This can be a proof of concept for predictive GRC.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up

Regular attendance and speaking engagements at industry conferences (e.g., ISACA EuroCACS, Compliance Week, IRM Annual Conference).
Active participation in professional bodies and special interest groups related to GRC, risk management, or systems audit.
Undertaking executive leadership programmes focused on strategy, organisational change, or digital transformation.
Mentoring junior talent within the organisation and externally, contributing to the broader GRC community.

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 in GRC

As AI becomes more embedded in business operations (e.g., automated decision-making, predictive analytics), the risks of bias, lack of transparency, and unintended consequences grow exponentially. Regulators are already catching up, and we need to ensure our use of AI, and our audit of AI-driven systems, is robust and ethical.

AI Risk Frameworks
Explainable AI (XAI)
AI Audit Methodologies
Ethical AI Principles

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Assurance

ESG reporting isn't just a 'nice to have' anymore; it's becoming a regulatory requirement and a critical factor for investor confidence. Our systems will need to capture, verify, and report on a vast array of non-financial data, and the assurance around this data will be as critical as financial audits.

ESG Reporting Standards
Non-Financial Data Assurance
Supply Chain ESG Risk
Integrated Reporting

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

International Standards Auditing (Strategic Application)
Control Framework Design & Implementation (COSO, COBIT)
Advanced Root Cause Analysis & Predictive Risk
Enterprise Risk Assessment Methodologies (FMEA, Bowtie)
Process Optimisation & GRC 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
Principal Systems Auditor (CQHS) or Senior Manager, GRC
You'd typically spend 3-5 years at the Principal/Senior Manager level, demonstrating consistent leadership and strategic impact.
Skills to master
- Mastering enterprise-level programme management, developing a strong executive presence, and building a track record of successful cross-functional GRC initiatives.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major GRC system implementation or upgrade.
- Consistently delivered high-impact strategic audit or risk assessments.
- Mentored and developed multiple junior leaders within your team.
- Presented strategic recommendations to executive committees with demonstrable buy-in.
2
Director of IT Audit or Enterprise Risk Management (from another large organisation)
Often, candidates come from similar Director-level roles in other complex, regulated environments, bringing a fresh perspective and proven leadership.
Skills to master
- Adapting your leadership style to a new organisational culture, quickly understanding our specific industry risks, and building rapport with our executive team.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong track record of leading GRC functions in a comparable industry.
- Demonstrable experience in managing large budgets and teams.
- A clear understanding of the nuances of CQHS compliance and risk.
- A network of industry contacts and a reputation for thought leadership.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to a Chief Compliance & Quality Officer role, or into Enterprise Risk Management leadership.

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, CQHS Governance & Risk 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 Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety, worked against Director, CQHS Governance & Risk.

Understand how to comply with the relevant Regulations, Industry Standards and Management Requirements for Process Safety Level 5

Applied to your work in Director, CQHS Governance & Risk

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the regulations, industry standards, and management requirements for process safety. Learners will understand the role of the Process Safety Leadership Group, relevant frameworks, legal duties, and the role of the Competent Authority.

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.

Start my Director, CQHS Governance & Risk plan, free

See Your Progress Grow Illustration

Director, CQHS Governance & Risk

International Standards Auditing (Strategic Application)
Control Framework Design & Implementation (COSO, COBIT)
Advanced Root Cause Analysis & Predictive Risk
Enterprise Risk Assessment Methodologies (FMEA, Bowtie)
Process Optimisation & GRC 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, CQHS Governance & Risk is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

Chief Compliance & Quality Officer (C{ROLE}-007)
Roughly 3-5 years in the Director role, demonstrating consistent, high-level impact and readiness for enterprise-wide accountability.

This is the ultimate step up to the C-suite, taking on full enterprise-level accountability for all compliance, quality, and safety functions.
- M&A Due Diligence (Enterprise-level) Leading GRC due diligence for major acquisitions and divestitures.
- Global Regulatory Landscape Management Overseeing compliance across multiple international jurisdictions.
- Crisis & Reputation Management Leading the company's response to major compliance or safety incidents with public visibility.

Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

As a Director, your time is precious, and every hour counts towards driving strategic value. Imagine if you could cut through the noise, accelerate risk identification, and free up your team to focus on high-impact initiatives. AI isn't just for junior analysts; it's a game-changer for executive decision-making and strategic oversight in GRC.

We're not talking about replacing your expertise, but augmenting it. AI tools can handle the heavy lifting of data analysis, regulatory scanning, and initial report generation, giving you and your managers more time to interpret, strategise, and influence. This means less time chasing data and more time shaping our future.

Automated Control Monitoring

Direct the implementation of AI scripts to continuously monitor system logs for high-risk events across the business unit. This transforms reactive auditing into proactive assurance, giving you real-time visibility into the control environment and flagging anomalies before they become major issues. You'll be setting the parameters, not writing the code.

Thematic Risk Analysis

Use Natural Language Processing (NLP) at an enterprise scale to analyse thousands of unstructured incident reports, near-miss logs, and safety observations. This helps you identify systemic root causes and emerging risk trends across the business unit that are invisible to manual review, informing your strategic risk mitigation plans and board reports.

Regulatory Change Strategist

Deploy an AI assistant to ingest new regulations or updates to ISO standards, automatically summarising key changes and cross-referencing them against the existing control library. This instantly flags potential compliance gaps at a strategic level, allowing you to proactively adjust our GRC roadmap and advise the C-suite on necessary policy shifts.

Executive Report Accelerator

Leverage generative AI to create structured, well-written first drafts of executive summaries for audit findings, risk assessments, and board reports. Your team provides the key data and insights, and the AI formats it into a compelling narrative, saving significant time in drafting and allowing you to focus on refining the strategic message.

Common questions

How do you become a Director, CQHS Governance & Risk?

Common routes in include Principal Systems Auditor (CQHS) or Senior Manager, GRC (You'd typically spend 3-5 years at the Principal/Senior Manager level, demonstrating consistent leadership and strategic impact.) and Director of IT Audit or Enterprise Risk Management (from another large organisation) (Often, candidates come from similar Director-level roles in other complex, regulated environments, bringing a fresh perspective and proven leadership.). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director, CQHS Governance & Risk progress to?

This role can lead on to Chief Compliance & Quality Officer (Roughly 3-5 years in the Director role, demonstrating consistent, high-level impact and readiness for enterprise-wide accountability.), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director, CQHS Governance & Risk?

Increasingly, AI Governance & Ethical AI in GRC and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Assurance. 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 Director, CQHS Governance & Risk plan, free 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, CQHS Governance & Risk

Where should we send it?

Two short quizzes about you

Will AI change your work as a Director, CQHS Governance & Risk?

What's rising in its place

AI Governance & Ethical AI in GRC

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Assurance

Skills this role draws on

Technical

How you actually get there, here

Principal Systems Auditor (CQHS) or Senior Manager, GRC

Director of IT Audit or Enterprise Risk Management (from another large organisation)

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 Compliance & Quality Officer (C{ROLE}-007)

Where AI is starting to help

Automated Control Monitoring

Thematic Risk Analysis

Regulatory Change Strategist

Executive Report Accelerator

Common questions

Want a read on where you stand?