4054 - Head of Compliance Operations for the Disused Tips Authority

Job summary

This is a unique opportunity to shape the regulatory foundations of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as both a trusted regulator and a recognised centre of excellence in compliance, enforcement and public safety.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset.

Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout.

The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for information relevant to this vacancy.

To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.

Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales

General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign

Help build the regulatory capability behind one of Wales' newest public bodies.

The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend on a regulatory approach that is fair, proportionate, transparent and trusted by the people and communities we serve.

As Head of Operations (Compliance), you will play a critical leadership role in developing and leading the Authority's national compliance and enforcement function. You will ensure statutory notifications, monitoring, compliance and enforcement activities are delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with legislation, protecting communities while supporting confidence in the Authority's regulatory approach.

This is a broad strategic leadership role. Alongside leading the Authority's compliance function, you will develop operational policies, regulatory processes and workforce capability, ensuring compliance activity is aligned to the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan while promoting consistency, fairness and effective regulation.

Job description

Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in modern, risk-based regulation. Working with Welsh Government, local authorities, regulators, landowners, professional institutions and other partners, you will help strengthen regulatory capability, share good practice and develop approaches that support the long-term management of disused tips across Wales.

The role is both inward and outward facing:

• Internally, you will build a professional, consistent and high-performing compliance function where colleagues exercise sound professional judgement, apply legislation fairly and work collaboratively to achieve positive regulatory outcomes.
• Externally, you will work with landowners, local authorities, regulators, communities and other partners to encourage compliance, build understanding of statutory responsibilities and promote confidence in the Authority's regulatory approach.

Person specification

Key Tasks

Building a high-performing compliance function

• You'll develop and lead the Authority's national compliance programme, ensuring statutory notifications, monitoring, compliance and enforcement activities are delivered consistently, proportionately and in accordance with legislative requirements and regulatory best practice.

Supporting effective regulation

• You'll ensure the Authority's regulatory powers are exercised fairly, transparently and consistently, promoting a proportionate approach that encourages compliance while protecting public safety and maintaining public confidence.

Driving operational excellence

• You'll establish high professional standards, robust governance arrangements and effective operational processes that promote consistency, quality and continuous improvement across compliance and enforcement activities.

Supporting strategic delivery

• You'll ensure compliance operations are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical regulatory delivery that supports safe, effective and proportionate regulation.

Developing regulatory capability

• You'll lead the Authority's work to strengthen regulatory capability across Wales, working with Welsh Government, local authorities, regulators, professional institutions and operational partners to develop regulatory practice, operational guidance and professional capability.
• You'll help establish the Authority as a recognised centre of excellence by developing the knowledge, capability and professional standards needed to support the long-term regulation and management of disused tips.

Working across the system

• You'll build trusted relationships with landowners, local authorities, regulators, emergency services and technical specialists, recognising that effective regulation depends on collaboration, clear communication and shared responsibility for public safety.

Leading a high-performing function

• You'll build and lead a professional compliance function, creating an environment where colleagues can develop their expertise, exercise sound judgement and deliver consistent, evidence-based regulatory decisions that protect communities across Wales.

Successful candidates will hold a degree in Law, Environmental Management, Engineering, Regulatory Practice or a related discipline, an HNC/HND (or equivalent qualification), or be able to demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience within regulatory, compliance or enforcement environments.

Technical Capabilities

Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience.

Strategic Compliance Leadership

• Developing and delivering organisation-wide compliance and enforcement strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Translating organisational vision into practical regulatory approaches that enable