Compliance Manager - Ackerman Pierce Recruitment – Harlow / Hybrid (3 days office-based)

Ackerman Pierce is a well-established specialist recruitment agency supplying staff into Local Authorities, NHS services, and Education settings across the UK. Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced, organised, and detail-driven Compliance Manager to lead and develop our compliance function.

This is a fast-paced leadership role at the centre of the business. You will be responsible for managing a compliance team, ensuring all candidates are fully compliant prior to placement, and maintaining alignment with safeguarding legislation and framework requirements. If you thrive in a structured, process-driven environment and enjoy leading a team to deliver high standards under pressure, this role will suit you.

The Role You will oversee the end-to-end compliance process for temporary and permanent workers across social care, healthcare, and education placements. You will manage the compliance team’s daily workflow, ensure deadlines are met, maintain audit-ready standards, and work closely with consultants and senior leadership to prioritise urgent bookings.

Key Responsibilities *Leading, managing, and developing the compliance team
*Overseeing candidate compliance from registration through to clearance
*Ensuring Right to Work checks and ID verification are conducted in line with UK legislation
*Overseeing the obtaining and vetting of references in line with safer recruitment standards
*Managing DBS applications, updates, and tracking renewals
*Ensuring all training certificates and mandatory checks meet Local Authority and NHS framework requirements
*Maintaining accurate and audit-ready records on the CRM and compliance trackers
*Working closely with consultants to prioritise urgent placements and meet framework deadlines
*Conducting internal audits to ensure files meet Local Authority and NHS standards
*Acting as the main point of contact for client compliance queries and external audits
*Managing and improving the complaints process relating to compliance matters
*Reviewing and improving compliance processes to increase efficiency and reduce risk
What We’re Looking For - We are looking for a resilient and proactive Compliance professional with proven team management experience.

Essential Skills & Experience *Previous experience managing a compliance team within a recruitment agency
*Background in healthcare, education, or social care recruitment
*Strong working knowledge of UK legislation, DBS processes, Right to Work checks, and safer recruitment standards
*Experience managing and successfully passing compliance audits
*Proven people management and leadership skills
*Experience handling compliance-related complaints and escalations
*Ability to work to strict deadlines and manage competing priorities
*Experience delivering internal compliance training
*Experience working with Local Authority or NHS frameworks
The Reality of the Role This is a hands-on leadership position. You and your team will:
*Chase candidates persistently for outstanding documentation
*Play a critical role in enabling essential workers to support vulnerable people safely and compliantly.
*Work to urgent start dates
*Resolve last-minute compliance issues

What We Offer *Competitive salary
*Commission scheme
*Benefits package
*Supportive and collaborative team environment
*Ongoing training and professional development
*Clear career progression opportunities
*Hybrid working
*Company socials and incentives
Apply If you are organised, proactive, and enjoy bringing structure and accountability to compliance processes, we would love to hear from you.