Head of Regulatory Affairs

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly respected consultancy at the forefront of food law, compliance and product information, helping some of the world's leading brands navigate complex regulatory challenges. Based in a home-working environment, this role offers the chance to shape regulatory strategy, influence clients at the highest level, and establish yourself as a recognised thought leader within the industry.

Role Overview

As Head of Regulatory Affairs, you will provide strategic leadership across regulatory and compliance activities, supporting clients operating across multiple international markets. Acting as a trusted advisor at executive level, you will guide organisations through evolving legislation, regulatory risk, product compliance and market access challenges. You'll play a pivotal role in horizon scanning, knowledge sharing, technical capability development and industry engagement, ensuring both clients and internal teams remain ahead of regulatory change.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and implement the company's regulatory management strategy, aligned to wider business objectives.
• Lead horizon scanning activities and identify changes in legislation, guidance and regulatory requirements across key global markets.
• Provide leadership and expert guidance on complex regulatory matters for clients operating within the food sector.
• Support clients in shaping and delivering effective regulatory strategies through senior-level stakeholder engagement and advisory discussions.
• Mentor, coach and develop technical and regulatory teams, ensuring ongoing professional development and regulatory excellence.
• Review regulatory and technical competency frameworks, establishing training and development plans to support business growth.
• Work collaboratively with technical leadership teams to strengthen knowledge management and knowledge-sharing programmes.
• Provide regulatory oversight throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept through to commercialisation.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, best practice and regulatory developments to ensure technical standards remain market-leading.
• Represent the business at industry events, regulatory forums and stakeholder discussions, raising profile and influence within the sector.
• Contribute to thought leadership through speaking engagements, publications, industry forums and expert commentary.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders, balancing regulatory compliance with commercial objectives.

People Profile

• Significant experience in a senior regulatory, compliance or food law position within food manufacturing, retail, regulatory consultancy or a similar environment.
• Extensive knowledge of UK and global food legislation, with a strong understanding of how regulations are applied across international markets.
• Experience working across multiple food categories, with broader non-food regulatory exposure considered advantageous.
• Background within Trading Standards, Environmental Health, or a senior regulatory/compliance function would be highly desirable.
• Degree qualified, or equivalent, in Food Science, Food Law, Regulatory Affairs or a related discipline.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to assess regulatory risk while supporting business objectives.
• Proven capability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders, clients, enforcement bodies and industry associations.
• Excellent communication skills and the credibility to represent an organisation as a recognised regulatory expert and industry ambassador.

We regret we cannot offer visa sponsorship and can only consider candidates who hold right to work in the UK.

To apply, please e-mail in strict confidence, with a comprehensive CV, including salary details, quoting the above reference and for the attention of James Constable.

Due to a high volume of responses, we cannot reply to each application individually. If you have not had a response within one week, we are sorry to say your application has not been successful on this occasion.