ID 4054
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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.
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Vacancy details
Vacancy title
Head of Compliance Operations for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449
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Closing date
11/09/2026, 16:00
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Advertising basis
Permanent, Secondment
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Actual starting salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449, with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements. Please note that, whilst these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government, posts within the Disused Tips Authority are subject to the Authority's own pay and reward arrangements. The Welsh Government salary scales displayed alongside this vacancy do not apply to these roles. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional skills, experience and expertise, there may be scope to appoint above the advertised starting salary, up to the maximum of the approved pay range, subject to the Authority's pay arrangements and relevant approvals.
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Salary range or pay band
Other
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Allowances
No
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Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
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Group
Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience & Sustainability Group
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Directorate
Climate Change & Env Sustainability
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Branch
Disused Tips Authority
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Location (s)
Other location (including outside of Wales)
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Specific Location
Specific Location: Merthyr Tydfil (DTA Headquarters). The Disused Tips Authority's headquarters will be based in Merthyr Tydfil. When the Authority is established on 1 April 2027, a number of regional hubs will also be available across Wales; however, Merthyr Tydfil will remain the organisation's headquarters.
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Purpose of post
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.
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.
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
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Key tasks
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 delivery of statutory responsibilities.
Compliance & Enforcement Operations
Leading the development and delivery of nationally consistent compliance, monitoring and enforcement programmes within regulated or safety-critical environments.
Applying proportionate, risk-based approaches to compliance and enforcement that promote positive regulatory outcomes.
Ensuring statutory powers are exercised fairly, consistently and in accordance with legislation, regulatory principles and organisational policies.
Risk, Safety & Regulatory Management
Identifying, assessing and managing regulatory and operational risks using evidence-based approaches.
Working within statutory, governance and regulatory frameworks to deliver safe, compliant and effective services.
Exercising sound professional judgement when managing complex or high-risk regulatory issues.
Operational Planning & Performance
Planning, coordinating and delivering complex regulatory or operational programmes across multiple workstreams.
Monitoring operational performance, quality, compliance and resource utilisation.
Driving continuous improvement through learning, quality assurance and evidence-led decision making.
Partnership Working & Professional Capability
Building productive relationships with landowners, local authorities, regulators, emergency services, professional institutions and other partners.
Working collaboratively across organisational boundaries to strengthen regulatory capability, promote consistency and share good practice.
Supporting the development of professional capability and regulatory excellence across Wales.
Leadership & Team Development
Leading and developing professional teams within complex regulatory or operational environments.
Building capability while promoting accountability, integrity, collaboration and high professional standards.
Creating an inclusive environment where colleagues can develop and perform at their best.
Communication & Professional Judgement
Communicating complex regulatory and technical matters clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Providing balanced, evidence-based advice to senior leaders and stakeholders.
Making sound regulatory decisions in environments involving uncertainty, risk or public scrutiny.
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Development opportunities
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the governance and legal capability of a new national public body. Combining strategic leadership across governance, legal compliance, Board effectiveness, organisational accountability and corporate policy, you will play a defining role in creating one of Wales' most important new public organisations.
Beyond leading the Authority's governance function, you will help establish the governance culture that underpins every aspect of the organisation's work. Working alongside the Director of Governance & Performance, Executive Team and Board, you will influence how the Authority is governed, how decisions are made and how public confidence is built through transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.
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Other vacancy related information
Establishing the Disused Tips Authority
The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one. This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.
Important: 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 the information relevant to this vacancy.
Employment Arrangements
As the Disused Tip Authority will not formally exist until 1 April 2027, these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Governments Successful candidates will be employed by the Welsh Government until 31 March 2027 while working exclusively on the establishment of the Disused Tip Authority. From 1 April 2027, employees will transfer to the new Authority as it becomes operational. Throughout this transition, continuity of employment will be maintained. Successful candidates will initially be employed on Welsh Government terms and conditions. The DTA's proposed terms and conditions are included within the Candidate Pack, and employees will have the opportunity to move onto these arrangements following the Authority's establishment.
Secondment Opportunities and Eligibility Requirements
Candidates should note that this post is also being offered as a Permanent Opportunity and a Secondment opportunity.
If you would like to apply via a Secondment the below eligibility guidance, will apply.
Eligibility Verification:
All Secondment Applications will be assessed against the below stated criteria.
You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
You must hold a substantive permanent post with your current employer.
During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.
Inward secondees are not eligible for Disused Tips Authority pay awards or rewards.
Location
The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2–3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees.
As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.
Salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449 with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements.
For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional experience, expertise and market value, a higher starting salary within the approved pay range may be considered.
The Disused Tips Authority has its own pay and reward arrangements, which are separate from Welsh Government pay structures. The salary quoted above reflects the Authority's pay framework and not Welsh Government pay bands or terms.
Assessment Weightings
Where more than one appointable candidate is identified, the following criteria will be applied in the order listed below:
Demonstration of our values, including trust-building and alignment with the organisation's purpose and culture.
Technical capability in compliance leadership, regulatory operations, enforcement, risk and safety management, operational performance, partnership working and professional judgement.
Relevant experience leading compliance or enforcement functions, delivering proportionate regulatory activity, managing risk within regulated environments, and providing evidence-based advice and decisions in complex or high-profile settings.
Desirable criteria listed below.
Welsh language skills.
Additional Assessment Activities
Important: Technical Capabilities' are set out under Key Tasks.
A presentation on Technical Competence will be required at Interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: technical capabilities. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
A degree in Law, Environmental Management, Engineering, Regulatory Practice or a related discipline, or an HNC/HND (or equivalent), or can you demonstrate significant relevant professional experience within regulatory, compliance or enforcement environments
Our Values
We assess candidates against our TIPS values: Trust-Building, Integrity-Led, Purpose-Driven and Skilled & Collaborative. Full details of our values and culture can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for these opportunities. Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.
Desirable
The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered where two or more candidates achieve the same score at the application or interview stage.
It would be desirable for candidates to have demonstrable experience in regulatory compliance, enforcement, environmental regulation, infrastructure regulation or comparable statutory functions, and to hold, or be working towards, membership of a relevant professional institution.
Welsh Language Ability. The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.
Our Commitment to the Welsh Language
The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace. We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their day-to-day work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.
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Vetting level
Basic
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Number of posts
1
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Contact point for further information regarding the post
[email protected]
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