Head of Contracts and Compliance

The Opportunity

We're looking for a meticulous and experienced Head of Contracts and Compliance to centralise and lead our compliance activities, including export controls, contractual governance, and security. This role combines regulatory expertise with leadership and managing a logistics team while expanding the broader contracts and compliance function in line with company growth. You'll ensure the business operates securely, support bids and contracts and drive integrity across all operations at a global level.

Who We Are

OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England.

Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.

We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world.

The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.

Why You'll Love Working With Us

Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced and people genuinely love what they do.

Here's what our benefits have to offer:

Competitive remuneration package, salary from £80,000 with performance-related bonuses and clear progression opportunities.

25 days' holiday + public holidays, with long-service rewards and the option to buy up to 5 additional days.

Free breakfast and freshly cooked lunches every day, courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.

Private healthcare through Aviva, keeping you feeling your best.

Life assurance for peace of mind.

Salary sacrifice schemes - including EV car and Cycle to Work options for easy, sustainable travel.

Paid team socials - from quiz nights and football to board games and more; we love to have fun together.

Pension plan with employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.

A culture that empowers - we enable change, encourage challenge, and celebrate personal growth.

What You'll Be Doing

Contracting: Lead all company contracts and agreements.

• Draft, review, negotiate and approve customer and supplier contracts, NDAs, amendments and flowdowns
• Ensure terms align with company policies, capabilities and risk appetite
• Support bids and proposals with risk commentary and contract review
• Maintain contract management processes, including obligations tracking and lifecycle controls
• Oversee resolution of disputes and escalations

Regulatory Compliance: Safeguard the business against legal and regulatory risk.

• Ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including export controls, trade sanctions, anti-bribery, data protection, and health, safety and environmental regulations
• Develop and maintain export control frameworks: product classification, licences, technical assistance agreements and staff training
• Conduct due diligence on customers, suppliers and partners to ensure sanctions compliance
• Maintain relationships with government authorities and advisors
• Manage security clearances, classified document handling and security training

Leadership & Team Development: Build and guide a high-performing compliance function.

• Manage the logistics team and expand the contracts/compliance team as the business grows
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability and risk awareness
• Identify, assess and mitigate compliance-related risks across the business

What You'll Bring

Proven Expertise: Strong compliance, contracts, and regulatory background.

• Substantial relevant experience in export, compliance, legal, quality
• Demonstrated strong previous experience in the defence sector with deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks, particularly defence export controls
• Experience handling sensitive or classified information

Leadership & Collaboration: Inspire and guide teams while influencing stakeholders.

• Proven leadership and management experience
• Strong communication, diplomacy and analytical skills
• Calm, decisive and pragmatic under pressure

Personal Attributes: High integrity, attention to detail, and discretion.

• Exceptional analytical skills with risk-aware, pragmatic approach
• Trustworthy, reliable and focused on compliance excellence

Qualifications:

• ICA International Diploma in Governance, Risk & Compliance, or training from ECJU desirable
• Security Officer training provided on the job

Vision

Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.

Mission

Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.

Values

Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest

Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done

Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility

We are one team: Look out for each other and the team

Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on

Have fun: We're doing amazing things with passionate people