Compliance Manager [Onboarding]

Job Description: Onboarding Compliance Manager (Security & Clearances – FM Services, Custodial Contracts)

Role Overview The Onboarding Compliance Manager (Security & Clearances) is responsible for ensuring all employees, subcontractors, and specialist providers are fully vetted, compliant, and cleared to work across custodial environments as part of FM service delivery.
Operating within a Facilities Management context, this role supports the mobilisation and ongoing delivery of services (e.g. maintenance, catering, cleaning, and specialist works) across prison sites. The role ensures that all personnel meet HMPPS, MoJ, and UK security vetting standards, enabling safe, compliant access to secure environments without disrupting operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities Onboarding & Mobilisation Compliance

• Lead onboarding compliance activities for FM operational staff, contractors, and supply chain partners.
• Support contract mobilisation by ensuring all personnel are vetted and cleared in line with site-specific requirements.
• Act as the compliance gatekeeper, preventing deployment of any individual without required clearance.

Security Vetting & Clearance Management

• Manage vetting processes required for prison-based FM roles, including:
  
  • Enhanced Level 1 clearance (contractors, engineers, subcontractors)
  • Enhanced Level 2 clearance (permanent site-based FM staff)
  • Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance for Category A prison contracts
• Coordinate Enhanced DBS, Right to Work checks, and UKSV processes.
• Manage end-to-end clearance tracking, acknowledging typical timelines (~12 weeks).
• Ensure accurate submission and verification of:
  
  • Address history
  • Employment history
  • Criminal record declarations

Operational Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with MoJ, HMPPS, and contractual security requirements across all sites.
• Assess vetting risks, including criminal disclosures and financial vulnerability checks.
• Maintain audit-ready onboarding and vetting documentation aligned to contractual obligations.
• Support internal and external audits relating to security and compliance.

FM Operations & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Operations Managers, Contract Managers, and Site Teams to align onboarding with service delivery needs.
• Provide clear guidance on clearance requirements, access restrictions, and realistic timelines.
• Manage high-volume onboarding across multiple sites, often under tight mobilisation deadlines.

Supply Chain & Contractor Compliance

• Ensure all subcontractors and third-party providers meet required vetting and compliance standards before site access.
• Act as the primary contact for supply chain partners on onboarding and clearance requirements.
• Monitor ongoing compliance of contractors working within secure environments.

Reporting & Workforce Readiness

• Provide regular reporting on:
  
  • Clearance timelines and delays
  • Workforce readiness for contract delivery
  • Compliance completion rates
• Support operational planning by giving visibility of onboarding risks and constraints.

Training & Governance

• Deliver training to operational teams and subcontractors on custodial vetting and compliance requirements.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and security awareness across FM operations.

Key Skills & Experience Essential

• Experience in onboarding compliance, vetting, or mobilisation within an FM, infrastructure, or operational environment.
• Strong understanding of pre-employment screening (DBS, Right to Work, referencing).
• Knowledge of working in secure or regulated environments (e.g. prisons, healthcare, defence, critical infrastructure).
• Experience managing high volumes of operational or contractor onboarding.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across operational and corporate teams.
• High attention to detail when handling sensitive and confidential data.

Key CompetenciesWhy This Role Matters In an FM services environment, the ability to deploy a compliant and cleared workforce directly impacts contract performance, service continuity, and safety. This role ensures that all personnel entering custodial sites are appropriately vetted, reducing risk while enabling seamless delivery of essential services.