Contractor, Isolations and Permit Manager

Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardiff University is seeking two Contractor, Isolations and Permit Managers to oversee contractor operations and ensure compliance with safety regulations. This role involves managing the permit-to-work system, coordinating isolations, and conducting inspections to maintain a safe working environment. The successful candidates will work closely with various teams to enhance safety and operational efficiency within the university estate.

Qualifications

• Experience in facilities management, estates, or construction roles.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations.
• Ability to work unsupervised and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the permit-to-work system and contractor operations.
• Conduct workplace inspections and ensure safety compliance.
• Coordinate mechanical and electrical isolations on site.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Education

NVQ level 3 or HNC in a mechanical, electrical, construction or health and safety field

Tools

Permit management software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Advert

Contractor, Isolations and Permit Manager

We are looking for two Contractor, Isolations and Permit Managers to join the Estates and Campus Facilities team at Cardiff University.

In This Role, You Will

• Manage the permit-to-work system, reviewing Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) and ensuring all necessary authorisations are in place before work commences.
• Coordinate mechanical and electrical isolations in collaboration with authorised persons and contractors.
• Conduct workplace inspections, ensuring contractor adherence to agreed-upon safety procedures and permit conditions.
• Oversee access control and security for contractors, including the issuing and tracking of keys and permits.
• Maintain accurate records of permits, RAMS, and contractor activities while preparing reports to support ongoing safety and operational improvements.
• Work closely with Estates and Campus Facilities teams, University Schools, and Security to align contractor activities with university priorities.
  
  

We’d like to hear from you if you:

• Have experience in facilities management, estates, or construction roles with significant exposure to contractor management and permit-to-work systems.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations and best practices related to isolations and contractor oversight.
• Have experience reviewing and interpreting RAMS, issuing high-risk work permits, and auditing contractor’s working practices against their submitted RAMS.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal abilities.
• Can make sound decisions under pressure, balancing safety, compliance, and operational requirements.
  
  

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation with excellent benefits and opportunities for career progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter.

These roles are based fully on campus, offering an engaging and dynamic work environment where you will be at the heart of university operations. You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with key stakeholders, ensuring the smooth and safe running of the university estate while making a direct impact on campus safety and efficiency.

For an informal, confidential discussion about the roles, please contact Gareth Davies at [e-mail] .

These posts are open-ended and full-time.

Salary: £33,482 - £36,130 per annum (Grade 5) .

Date advert posted: Thursday, 22 May 2025

Closing Date: Thursday, 19 June 2025

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Job Purpose

To manage and oversee contractor operations, permit-to-work systems, and safety isolations within the university estate. This role is responsible for ensuring that all contractor activities comply with safety regulations, are well-documented, and align with university protocols. The position requires a proactive approach to safety, compliance, and collaboration across departments to support an efficient and secure working environment.

Duties And Responsibilities

Provide professional advice and guidance on safety, maintenance, and permit processes and procedures to internal and external customers, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood

Permit Oversight

• Manage day-to-day permit to work operations which will include planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required and , ensuring compliance with the University processes and standards
• Review Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) submitted by contractors to ensure compliance with university safety standards and legal regulations.
• Ensure all required paperwork, training and permits are in place before issuing an authority to work for contractors
• Conduct regular audits of processes to enhance safety and compliance measures.
  
  

Contractor Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for contractors arriving on-site, providing guidance on university procedures, expectations, and safety protocols.
• Ensure all contractors complete necessary inductions and comply with university health and safety regulations before commencing work.
• Coordinate with contractors and internal teams to minimise disruption to the university community and ensure efficient project execution.
• Develop and maintain the Safe System of Work for managing contractor activities on site.
• Ensure contractor’s staff have the required skills and competencies to carry out the work. Maintain a register of qualifications and training.
• Monitor contractor compliance and provide data to the Operations contract management team.
  
  

Isolations

• Coordinate mechanical and electrical isolations on site in conjunction with the electrical and mechanical authorised persons, stakeholders and contractors.
  
  

Access and Security Control

• Oversee the issuance, tracking, and retrieval of keys and access cards for contractors to secure university property.
• Manage the signing-in and signing-out process for contractors, maintaining logs for accountability and compliance.
  
  

Safety and Compliance Monitoring

• Conduct workplace inspections and verify contractor adherence to safety procedures, work permits, and agreed-upon RAMS.
• Collaborate with the Health and Safety team to monitor risk management practices and update procedures to address any safety concerns.
• Ensure the correct use of required PPE in line with contractor’s RAMS and site-specific requirements
• Participate in, and support investigations into reported accidents, incidents, and near misses providing documentation and records of permits and related processes
  
  

Documentation and Reporting

• Develop and maintain a system for tracking work activities, qualifications, permits
• Maintain accurate records of permits, RAMS, and contractor activities.
• Prepare reports on contractor performance, incidents, and permit usage to support ongoing safety and quality improvements.
  
  

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with the Estates and Campus Facilities teams, Estates Safety, University Schools and Security to align contractor activities with university priorities. Develop these relationships to enhance the service provided by the Estates Team
• Participate in planning meetings to provide insight into contractor scheduling and site access requirements.
  
  

Person Specification

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• A recognised qualification such as an NVQ level 3 or HNC in a mechanical, electrical, construction or health and safety field.
• Substantial experience in a facilities, estates, or construction role, with significant exposure to contractor management and permit-to-work systems.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations and best practices in estate maintenance and contractor oversight.
• Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress. In addition, the ability to set up, monitor, and improve processes and procedures.
• The ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
• Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered
• Experience in reviewing and interpreting RAMS.
• Strong understanding of access control and key management practice
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and. strong interpersonal skills to effectively engage with contractors and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure, balancing safety, compliance, and operational needs.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working as an Authorised Person in Mechanical, Electrical or Confined Spaces.
• Experience in carrying out the Client’s duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• Health and Safety training/qualifications such as SMSTS/SSSTS, IOSH Managing Safely, NEBOSH General certificate
• Experience in Confined Space management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with permit management software
  
  

Salary Range Min.

33,482

Salary Range Max.

36,130

Job Category

Estates

Grade

Grade 5