Compliance Manager Jobs

The Compliance Manager in the automotive and transport sector carries responsibility that extends well beyond process documentation. Whether managing operator licence obligations for a road haulage or passenger transport business, overseeing DVSA inspection readiness across a fleet maintenance operation, or ensuring a dealership group operates within FCA regulatory requirements, the Compliance Manager is the individual who stands between the organisation and significant regulatory, financial and reputational risk.

It is a role that demands precision, authority, the ability to influence operational teams and a thorough, up-to-date understanding of the regulatory frameworks that govern the business. In an environment of increasing enforcement activity from both the DVSA and the FCA, the quality of compliance management has never mattered more to operators and automotive businesses of all sizes.

Venatu recruits Compliance Managers for permanent and contract roles across road haulage operators, bus and coach businesses, fleet management organisations, franchised dealership groups and automotive operational support businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our truck and van, bus and coach and operational support recruitment divisions. For senior retained compliance appointments, visit Venatu Executive.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Road haulage and logistics operators managing O-licence compliance
• Bus and coach operators managing PSV operator licence and DVSA obligations
• Fleet management businesses and contract maintenance providers
• Franchised dealership groups with FCA regulatory compliance requirements
• Vehicle Maintenance Units (VMUs) in utilities, local authorities and public sector organisations
• Automotive retail groups with multi-site compliance oversight needs
• Commercial vehicle leasing and contract hire businesses
• Automotive trade associations supporting operator compliance development
• Transport consulting businesses providing compliance management services to operators

Roles We Place

Transport and Operator Compliance:

• Transport Compliance Manager
• Operator Licence Compliance Manager
• Fleet Compliance Manager
• DVSA Compliance Manager
• Transport Manager (CPC Holder)
• PSV Compliance Manager (Bus and Coach)
• Road Haulage Compliance Manager
• Interim Transport Compliance Manager

Dealership and Automotive Regulatory Compliance:

• Dealership Compliance Manager
• Automotive Regulatory Compliance Manager
• FCA Compliance Manager (Automotive)
• Group Compliance Manager (Dealership)

Who Can Apply

Compliance Manager backgrounds vary significantly between transport and dealership contexts. Strong candidates come from:

Transport and Fleet Compliance:

• Experienced Transport Compliance Managers or Transport Managers holding a CPC in Road Haulage or Passenger Transport who want to move to a new operator, a more complex environment or a senior compliance management role
• Traffic office managers or transport supervisors with a strong working knowledge of O-licence obligations, drivers' hours rules, tachograph management and vehicle roadworthiness who want to formalise their compliance oversight in a dedicated management role
• Workshop managers or fleet engineers from VMU or fleet maintenance backgrounds who have taken on compliance responsibility and want to develop that into a primary management function
• DVSA examiners or traffic commissioners' office professionals leaving the regulatory side who want to apply their enforcement knowledge in an operator-side compliance capacity
• Logistics or transport operations managers who hold or are willing to work towards a Transport Manager CPC and want to focus on compliance rather than broad operations management

Dealership and Automotive Compliance:

• Experienced Dealership Compliance Managers or Group Compliance Officers with FCA understanding and automotive retail sector knowledge
• Financial services compliance professionals who want to move into an automotive retail context and apply regulated sales compliance expertise to a dealership group environment

The regulatory knowledge required is not interchangeable between transport and dealership compliance. Venatu ensures candidates are assessed against the specific regulatory framework relevant to each employer before presenting them. Read about how regulatory pressure is reshaping the sector in What The Stellantis Recall Means For Recruiters.

Compliance Manager Salary Guide

Package structures vary widely. Some operators provide a company car or car allowance. Compliance roles in larger groups or those with significant regulatory risk exposure typically command packages at the higher end of each band. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on operational management remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Responsibilities vary significantly between transport operator and dealership contexts.

Transport and Fleet Compliance:

• Managing and maintaining the operator's licence obligations including vehicle maintenance scheduling, driver licence checks, tachograph analysis and drivers' hours monitoring
• Ensuring all vehicles are maintained to the required standard and that safety inspection frequencies, brake test records and annual test pass rates meet or exceed DVSA expectations
• Overseeing tachograph management including download schedules, infringement analysis, driver debriefing and exception reporting
• Managing driver licence and DCPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence) records and ensuring compliance across the driver workforce
• Preparing for and managing DVSA roadside checks, operator compliance risk score (OCRS) monitoring and any formal investigation or public inquiry process
• Maintaining the operator licence record with the Traffic Commissioner including notifying changes to operating centres, vehicle numbers or nominated Transport Managers
• Developing and delivering compliance training for drivers, transport supervisors and workshop staff
• Conducting internal compliance audits and producing reports for senior management and board level
• Maintaining awareness of legislative changes affecting road transport including drivers' hours regulations, vehicle standards and operator licensing law

Dealership and Automotive Regulatory Compliance:

• Overseeing the dealership group's obligations under FCA authorisation including Consumer Duty, regulated credit and insurance product sales processes
• Reviewing and updating compliance policies, procedures and sales process documentation
• Conducting internal audits of finance and insurance sales practices and producing findings with action plans for the sales and business management teams
• Managing the relationship with the FCA and any appointed compliance consultancy or network support
• Maintaining staff training records and ensuring all regulated activity staff have completed required compliance training
• Advising on commission structure changes, product changes and any areas of regulatory uncertainty

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the regulatory context, operator type or dealership structure, fleet or site size and any specific qualification or CPC requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for regulatory knowledge, sector fit and the specific compliance framework relevant to the role.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your compliance background, the regulatory frameworks you have worked within, any qualifications held including Transport Manager CPC, and the size and type of operations you have managed.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your regulatory specialism, preferred sector and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What qualifications does a Transport Compliance Manager need? For road transport operator compliance roles, a Transport Manager CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) in Road Haulage or Passenger Transport is required or strongly preferred by most employers. The CPC is a legal requirement for nominated Transport Managers on an operator licence. Additional qualifications in health and safety, tachograph analysis or fleet management are valued. For dealership compliance roles, FCA compliance qualifications and a thorough understanding of Consumer Duty and regulated credit are the primary credentials. Venatu confirms the qualification requirements for each role with the employer before presenting candidates.

What is the difference between a Transport Manager and a Compliance Manager? A Transport Manager is the individual legally nominated on an operator licence with personal accountability to the Traffic Commissioner for maintaining compliance. A Compliance Manager may or may not be the nominated Transport Manager but is broadly responsible for ensuring the operation meets its regulatory obligations across fleet maintenance, driver management and operator licence conditions. In some organisations the roles are combined. In others, the Compliance Manager oversees multiple operating centres and may work alongside separately nominated Transport Managers. Venatu clarifies the scope and accountabilities of each role with the employer.

What is OCRS and why does it matter? The Operator Compliance Risk Score is the DVSA's risk-based targeting system that determines how frequently an operator's vehicles and premises are targeted for inspection. A poor OCRS increases the frequency of roadside checks and maintenance investigation visits and can trigger a call-up to a public inquiry at the Traffic Commissioner's office, which can result in licence curtailment, suspension or revocation. A skilled Compliance Manager who maintains strong maintenance records, low prohibition rates and good tachograph compliance directly protects the operator's OCRS and therefore their licence. Read about regulatory pressures in the sector in How Rising Fuel Prices Are Impacting Automotive Recruitment In The UK.

What does a Compliance Manager earn in the UK? Transport Compliance Manager salaries typically range from £38,000 to £62,000 depending on fleet size, operator type and the complexity of the regulatory environment. Dealership group compliance roles sit between £42,000 and £70,000 for senior appointments. Interim day rates range from £400 to £650 per day. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Compliance Manager? Common progression routes in transport include Group Compliance Director, Head of SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality), Operations Director and Managing Director. In dealership environments, progression tends towards Group Operations Manager, Aftersales Director or Chief Operating Officer. For senior retained compliance appointments visit Venatu Executive.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your compliance background, regulatory frameworks managed, any CPC or FCA qualifications and the size and type of operations covered. Venatu will match you to current Compliance Manager vacancies across transport operators, fleet businesses and dealership groups, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your compliance management requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.