The University of Sheffield is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Compliance, Governance and Risk to lead strategic compliance and quality assurance across our diverse and complex estate, which spans over 500,000m². This senior leadership role sits within our Estates & Facilities Management department and is critical to ensuring statutory compliance and operational excellence across engineering, maintenance, and project activities.

The University of Sheffield is a truly special place, with a bold and ambitious future.  A leading global university renowned for the excellence, impact and the distinctiveness of its research-led learning and teaching across a wide range of disciplines, we are home to 30,000 of the brightest students and over 8,000 staff from more than 140 countries around the world.  We want Sheffield to be an international centre of excellence for centuries to come, so we recruit ambitious, creative people from across the globe and we nurture their talent.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Engineering & Maintenance, you will provide strategic direction and senior leadership to maintenance and project teams, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and statutory obligations.

Step into a role where your expertise truly shapes the future. You’ll lead strategic initiatives that keep the University ahead of regulatory change, influence multiple workstreams, and tackle complex compliance challenges head-on. This is your opportunity to apply your technical knowledge in electrical, mechanical, and building maintenance while building strong relationships with external bodies. You’ll have a platform to demonstrate exceptional leadership and communication skills, drive innovation and change, and make a lasting impact on a diverse and dynamic estate.

We are seeking an individual with a proven track record in engineering or a related discipline, ideally with Chartered Membership of a professional body (CIBSE, IET, IMechE, CIWEM). You will have extensive experience in compliance, governance, and risk management within a complex estate environment, strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to inspire teams and influence at senior levels. A strategic and analytical mindset, capable of driving continuous improvement, change and operational excellence, is essential.

For further information, you can view the candidate brochure here: Uni of Sheffield – Head of Compliance, Governance and Risk

MRG are acting as an employment agency adviser to the University of Sheffield on this appointment. For further information, including details on how to apply, please visit MRG here using reference JOB-21681.

Applications should be received by 01 February 2026. 

To arrange a confidential briefing discussion, please contact Charley McCarthy (charley.mccarthy@mrgglobal.com / 07344 093 390) or David Craven (david.craven@mrgglobal.com / 07932 717 438).