Deputy Health & Safety Manager

Maxwell Stephens Recruitment; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days annual leave

Structured professional development

Extensive wellbeing benefits

Relocation support (where applicable)

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution in Cambridge seeks a Deputy Health & Safety Manager to lead safety protocols in a vibrant research environment. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Occupational Health & Safety and experience managing safety systems. Responsibilities include developing safety strategies, providing expert advice, and ensuring compliance across facilities. The role offers a permanent contract, a hybrid working approach, and extensive wellbeing benefits, supporting a diverse community of staff and students.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing health & safety systems.
• Strong audit and inspection background.
• Experience supervising contractors and service providers.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of the department’s health, safety and environmental strategy.
• Provide expert legal and technical advice across a complex research environment.
• Lead on statutory compliance across specialist laboratories and technical facilities.

Skills

Management of health & safety systems

Audit and inspection

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Occupational Health & Safety (e.g. NEBOSH Diploma)

Job description

We are partnering with a globally renowned, research-intensive institution to appoint a Deputy Health & Safety Manager within one of its largest and most technically complex departments.

This is a rare opportunity to join a prestigious academic environment at an exciting time of transformation, supporting cutting‑edge research, advanced laboratory facilities and a vibrant community of academics, researchers and students.

The Role

Reporting to the Departmental Safety Manager, you will play a key leadership role in ensuring that research, teaching and operational activities are delivered safely, compliantly and without disruption.

You will:

• Support the development and delivery of the department’s health, safety and environmental strategy
• Provide expert legal and technical advice across a complex research environment
• Deputise for the Health & Safety Manager when required
• Lead on statutory compliance across specialist laboratories and technical facilities
• Oversee contractors and ensure remedial actions are completed in a timely manner
• Develop, implement and maintain safety management systems and procedures
• Deliver scheduled audits and inspections, providing constructive feedback to academic leads
• Support safety inductions and engagement initiatives
• Help drive a positive, proactive safety culture across the department

This is a broad and visible role combining operational delivery with strategic influence.

The Environment

The department hosts approximately 1,000 staff, researchers and students and operates within a newly developed, state‑of‑the‑art research facility.

Activities span multiple specialist research themes and involve high‑value equipment, technical workshops, laboratory environments and public engagement spaces.

Safety here is not just compliance — it is fundamental to enabling world‑class innovation.

About You

You will be an experienced Health & Safety professional who thrives in complex, stakeholder‑rich environments.

• Degree‑level qualification in Occupational Health & Safety (e.g. NEBOSH Diploma) or working towards
• Significant experience managing health & safety systems
• Strong audit and inspection background
• Experience supervising contractors and service providers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Confidence engaging with senior academics, technical specialists and operational teams
• Ability to balance the needs of research excellence with safe working practices

You will be organised, pragmatic and able to influence at all levels.

What’s on Offer

• Permanent contract
• 36 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays)
• Hybrid working approach (role dependent)
• Structured professional development and learning opportunities
• Extensive wellbeing and staff benefits package
• Relocation support (where applicable)

The organisation is strongly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes flexible working discussions.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Health and Safety Specialist with the skills, knowledge and drive to excel in this role, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please contact the Maxwell Stephens team on 02071184848, or send your CV to [e-mail].