Group HSE Leader: Strategic Safety & Compliance

AQA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35‑hour week

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave + Christmas close

Pension (up to 11.5%)

BUPA healthcare

Wellbeing programmes

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Group Health and Safety Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of safety across the group, shaping policies and ensuring regulatory compliance across sites. You will collaborate with senior leaders and the Workplace Senior Leadership Team to embed a proactive safety culture and drive risk management at scale.

You will oversee audits, training, reporting and the HSE Committee, delivering practical solutions that protect colleagues, learners and customers while

Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of health and safety and the necessary recording, auditing and measuring systems to ensure compliance.
• NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent with significant senior experience in a health and safety management role within a multi-site organisation.
• Experience in undertaking specialist fire risk assessment in office, warehousing and live construction skills and gas safety training environments.
• Ability to interpret legislation and translate requirements into practical solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, accuracy and ownership of processes and service delivery.
• Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills; ability to resolve issues and problems by gathering information, pertinent facts, and situational analysis to arrive at sound conclusions and take appropriate actions.
• Experience of developing and implementing management systems and driving continuous improvement programmes

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and continual improvement of AQA Group’s health and safety management systems.
• Provide competent health and safety advice and support to senior leaders, managers and colleagues across all business areas.
• Provide a customer centric workplace experience whilst representing AQA in a positive, professional manner.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements and organisational policies.
• Develop, review and maintain health and safety policies, procedures, standards and guidance.
• Develop and implement internal controls to support AQA’s internal and externally accredited risk and ISO management systems.
• Lead accident, incident and near‑miss investigations, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned are shared.
• Undertake and manage health and safety audits, inspections and risk assessments to identify and mitigate organisational risks.
• Produce performance reports, compliance metrics and governance updates for senior leadership and committees.
• Lead the HSE Committee function across all sites, including membership, quarterly meeting schedules and provision of updates ensuring all actions and improvements are effectively managed.
• Design and deliver health and safety training, awareness campaigns and initiatives to strengthen organisational competence and engagement.
• Support business continuity, emergency preparedness and incident management arrangements across the Group.
• Manage external health and safety providers, consultants and specialist contractors to ensure effective and value‑for‑money service delivery.
• Support workplace projects, organisational change and business acquisitions to ensure appropriate health and safety controls are established and maintained.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, personal responsibility and proactive risk management across the organisation.
• Form part of the onsite emergency team to assist in first aid, incident management in emergencies and business continuity events

Skills

Health and safety expertise

Stakeholder management

Audits & investigations

Training & awareness

Risk management

Education

NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

Tools

HSE management systems

ISO management systems

Job description

AQA is seeking a Group Health and Safety Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of safety across the group, shaping policies and ensuring regulatory compliance across sites. You will collaborate with senior leaders and the Workplace Senior Leadership Team to embed a proactive safety culture and drive risk management at scale.

You will oversee audits, training, reporting and the HSE Committee, delivering practical solutions that protect colleagues, learners and customers while