We are seeking an experienced and strategic General Head of Compliance (GHC) to lead and oversee the compliance function of our international organization. The successful candidate will be based in Lisbon/Oporto/Madrid or Barcelona and will be responsible for implementing and embedding a recently formed compliance framework covering anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), financial crime and counterparty integrity, sanctions and competition law, maintaining and further developing the framework as necessary so as to support the company's global operations while ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and ethical business practices. The role also carries formal appointment as the Group’s Data Protection Officer.

The Company

Quadrante is a Portuguese-headquartered engineering and consultancy group operating internationally across the transport, infrastructure, buildings, energy and environment sectors.

Following successive acquisitions, the Group operates through a network of subsidiaries and branches in c. 20 jurisdictions (including Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Mexico and a recently established US presence) and has 1.600 employees - 1.000 in Iberia and 600 in the Americas and other markets.

While the company is headquartered in Lisbon, its policy is to keep central management lean, and to require operational teams in its Core Markets (Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and US to drive business while complying with company policies.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and execute the organization's global compliance strategy, policies, and procedures.
- Ensure compliance with Portuguese, Spanish, European Union, and international regulatory requirements (to reflect the company’s operations), including anti-corruption, financial crime, sanctions, competition law, data protection, and corporate governance regulations, together with the integrity and procurement rules of the multilateral development banks and other institutions funding the Group’s projects.
- Implement procedures to drive compliance by all representatives of the company across all Markets.
- Advise the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and business stakeholders on compliance-related matters and emerging regulatory developments.
- Maintain and further develop as necessary compliance monitoring, testing, and reporting programs; ensure compliance KPI’s are focused and relevant.
- Lead internal investigations related to compliance concerns, misconduct allegations, and regulatory breaches.




- Oversee the implementation and management of whistleblowing and speak-up programs and ensure these continue to comply with applicable legislation/international standards.
- Act as the Group’s Data Protection Officer: monitor compliance with the GDPR and national data protection law, advise on data protection impact assessments, oversee records of processing and breach response, and serve as the contact point for the CNPD and other supervisory authorities and for data subjects.
- Collaborate with Legal, Internal Audit, Human Resources, and business functions to strengthen the company's control environment.
- Manage and oversee the company’s compliance training and awareness programs for employees, management, and third parties, further develop these as necessary and monitor take up and completion.
- Manage relationships with compliance advisors and, in coordination with Legal/executive leadership, with regulatory authorities and external auditors.
- Prepare regular compliance reports for executive management, audit committees, and the Board/its Risk Committee.
- Enhance the culture of integrity, ethics, transparency, and accountability throughout the organization.

Qualifications and Experience

- University degree in Law, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Risk Management, or a related discipline; postgraduate qualification preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in compliance, risk management, audit, or legal/regulatory affairs, ideally including experience within a multinational environment.
- Strong knowledge of EU, Portuguese and Spanish regulatory frameworks, including RGPC/PRPC regimes, GDPR and corporate governance requirements. Familiarity with international benchmark standards (ISO standards, UK Bribery Act, US FCPA etc) and sanction regimes (EU/UN/US/UK) desirable.
- Demonstrated experience designing/maintaining and leading enterprise-wide compliance programs.
- Experience interacting with regulators and managing complex compliance investigations.• Experience of compliance in a public procurement and/or development-bank-funded environment,



ideally within engineering, construction or professional services, would be a distinct advantage.
- Professional certifications such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), International Compliance Association (ICA), Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), or equivalent are desirable.
- Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills and ideally, experience of reporting at board level.
- Fluency in English is required, and together with Portuguese, Spanish would be beneficial (but not essential).

Key Competencies

- Strategic leadership and sound judgment.
- High ethical standards and personal integrity.
- Strong risk assessment and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organizational change.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a complex international environment.

Reporting Line The Global Head of Compliance reports directly to the Chair of Risk Committee and has regular access to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to ensure independence and effective governance.

Location

Portugal or Spain, with responsibility for supporting and overseeing compliance activities across international operations. International travel will be required.

We offer the opportunity to play a critical leadership role in shaping the governance, ethics, and compliance culture of a dynamic and growing international organization.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This job posting is part of a recruitment process for Quadrante. Information on the remuneration for the position in question, as well as on other relevant remuneration conditions and on the collective labour regulation instrument applicable to Quadrante, taking into account its primary and secondary CAE (economic activity classification), will be shared with candidates at a further stage of the selection process.

This information is provided prior to the potential conclusion of the employment contract, in order to allow for informed and transparent negotiation on remuneration, based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, in accordance with the framework established by Directive (EU) 2023/970 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023.

The candidate may request additional clarification on the respective criteria used to determine remuneration, remuneration levels and their progression.

📌 Global Head of Compliance - Barcelona
🏢 Quadrante
📍 Barcelona