DBS Compliance Lead

DBS operations and compliance

• Act as Zinc’s operational Lead Countersignatory, managing all direct interactions with the DBS (with risk and legal responsibility held by our CEO).
• Oversee the end-to-end processing of DBS applications, starting with Enhanced and Barred List checks, expanding to all DBS routes over time.
• Provide expert eligibility guidance to customers, including reviewing new job roles, confirming eligibility routes, and advising where DBS checks are not appropriate.
• Escalate complex eligibility cases, ensuring decisions are accurate, defensible and aligned with safer recruitment principles.
• Maintain a log of job role eligibility decisions
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of DBS policy, legislation and guidance, proactively translating changes into internal processes.
• Prepare for and support any DBS compliance visits or audits, including gathering evidence and updating procedures.
• Ensure Zinc continues to meet all obligations under our Registered Body status.
• Help shape and write internal policies, workflows and customer-facing documentation related to DBS checks.

Customer support and guidance

• Provide high quality, plain English advice to customers about DBS checks, regulated activity, workforce categories and eligibility thresholds.
• Support customer onboarding for DBS services, including workflow design and documentation.
• Deliver training, webinars or guidance sessions for customers where needed.
• Build strong, trusted relationships through excellent communication and subject matter expertise.

Collaboration across Zinc

• Work with Legal, Product and Tech teams to optimise how DBS checks flow through the Zinc platform.
• Contribute user insights to improve platform features, eligibility prompts, role guidance and customer experience.
• Partner with Sales, Customer Success and Account Management to support customer queries and renewals.

Bid-writing and tenders (additional responsibility)

• Work jointly with the Head of Regulatory Affairs to support bids, tenders and procurement frameworks.
• Research and gather evidence to support bid responses.
• Draft clear, compelling answers that explain Zinc’s capabilities and regulatory controls.
• Maintain and continuously improve a database of answers to bid questions.
• Ensure consistency and compliance across submissions.

Essential

• Strong previous experience working with DBS checks (Enhanced and Barred List especially).
• Deep understanding of safer recruitment and regulated workforce requirements (health and social care, education, voluntary, etc.).
• Excellent copywriting skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Confidence advising customers on eligibility, thresholds and good practice.
• Ability to understand, follow and implement policy and guidance.
• High technical literacy and comfort working with digital vetting or HR platforms.
• Comfortable managing casework, making defensible decisions and documenting rationale.
• Collaborative working style with great communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience working within a Registered Body or Umbrella Body.
• Policy writing or governance experience.
• Experience supporting tenders, bids or procurement frameworks.
• Previous exposure to the vetting, background screening or HR tech sector.

• 24 days holiday + Bank Holidays + your birthday off 🎉
• £1200 annual benefits allowance (ThanksBen, from month 2)
• Early finish Fridays (16:00)
• Yearly company retreat abroad ✈️
• 30 days to Work from anywhere 🌍
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave (2 months full pay, then statutory)
• Statutory pension with NEST (3% employer, 5% employee)
• Zinc shares, issued through the EMI Scheme
• Unlimited access to MoreHappi coaching
• Company socials, quarterly team socials Free Monday lunches
• Nursery workplace benefit scheme (Yellownest)
• Option to lease an electric car through Electric Car Scheme
• Celebrated Zinc anniversaries 🥳