Head of Health & Safety

PDA Search & Selection; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Health & Safety to manage a team across the UK. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive health and safety strategy, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, and fostering a culture of safety. Candidates should have a NEBOSH Diploma, proven leadership skills, and experience in stakeholder management. Benefits include a competitive package, bonus, car allowance, and private healthcare.

Benefits

Car Allowance

Bonus

Pension

Private Healthcare

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental legislation required.
• Experience leading a team of managers across the UK needed.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing health and safety strategy essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the H&S team ensuring compliance with legislation.
• Develop and implement a world-class health and safety strategy.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote a culture of safety.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Health and Safety legislation knowledge

Risk management

Team management

Education

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Degree Level 6 or 7

Tools

ISO Management systems

RoSPA accreditation

Job description

Head of Health & Safety

Job Role: Head of Health & Safety

Location: National | Covering all of the UK

Salary: Competitive Package

Benefits: Car Allowance, Bonus, Pension, Private Healthcare, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)

Hours: 40 hours per week (Working from home with regular regional travel)

Regular travel to Glasgow will be required for the successful candidate

Additional: Candidates must be prepared to travel and be highly flexible. FM / Retail H&S Manager experience required

Job Purpose

The Head of Health & Safety will lead the H&S team. This role will require you to manage your 6x Health & Safety Managers across the UK, ensuring good working relationships are maintained and built upon. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head of H&S will be responsible for creating and leading the implementation of a world‑class health and safety strategy.

Key Accountabilities

• Engage with key internal and external stakeholders to develop a relevant and forward‑thinking HSE strategy, fit for the future.
• Delivery of the HSE strategy through the line, creating a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Upskilling and educating the operational teams, creating a culture of true behavioural safety.
• Managing the formal EHS audit process, promoting the importance of EHS within the workforce, contractors and clients to encourage continual improvement.
• Provide assurance that EHS performance complies with Company, regulatory and contractual requirements and will provide EHS support.
• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Legal requirements and Environmental legislation as they apply.
• Provide professional HSE advice and guidance to the business and clients as required.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Health, Safety and Environmental Management policies and procedures, lead working groups and represent the business on external groups and bodies as directed.
• Lead and manage the divisional Health and Safety Managers (DHSM) to identify and facilitate the management of HSE projects.
• Day to day planning and management of DHSMs ensuring continuous improvement of safety management systems.
• Lead and motivate the DHSM team, ensuring their engagement and development in line with legislative and industry requirements.
• Work with various senior stakeholders in the development and delivery of a comprehensive range of HSE related training programmes and ensure that operational management and all employees are appropriately trained and made aware of their responsibilities in relation to health and safety matters.
• Development, implementation, measuring and maintenance of documented health and safety management procedures, including relevant hazard and risk assessments for all activities.
• Undertake accident investigations and prepare accurate and professional reviews, including appropriate recommendations where necessary.
• Influencing, engaging and challenging senior leaders, both internal and external.
• Developing, planning and presenting HSE management systems for new FM bids.
• Recognise changes to legislation, guidance and other relevant developments and develop strategies for their implementation where necessary.
• Support further development of Primary Authority Partnership with the Group PAP.
• Liaise with other Senior Health & Safety teams across the Group to understand and share best practice and work on wider Group H&S initiatives.
• Lead and manage all accreditations.
• Undertake any other duties and / or responsibilities as may be required from time to time by the Managing Director.

Financial Responsibilities

• This role is responsible for ensuring that a risk‑based approach to safety is taken across all disciplines regarding HSE management system and risk mitigation.
• The role’s key financial accountability is to ensure the HSE team is cost effective in identifying and delivering the appropriate HSE controls within the budget and optimise added value and service levels.

People Responsibilities

• Direct line management of 1 Senior Health & Safety Manager, 4 Divisional Health and Safety Managers and 1 Safety & Enforcement Manager, working across a multi‑site portfolio.
• Recruitment and induction of DHSMs to include full validation of training.
• Day to day management of the H&S team to ensure they are carrying out their duties in a professional and efficient manner.
• Train, develop and appraise DHSMs, including identifying training needs and delivery of training solutions.
• Apply the disciplinary procedure in accordance with D&G Policy.
• Support the welfare of H&S team, ensuring their health & wellbeing is discussed and that they can deliver a robust H&S service to the business.
• Ensure the H&S team continually develop their CPD to maintain IOSH Membership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Degree Level 6 or 7 qualification and CMIOSH qualified or Grad IOSH working towards Chartered.

Preferable

• Experience in ISO Management systems and external accreditation systems such as RoSPA, through successful implementation.
• A qualification in Fire Safety, Environmental (IEMA), Asbestos (P405).
• Systems or auditing would be an advantage.

Self‑motivated, innovative and able to engage and challenge at all levels, both internally and externally.

Previous experience leading a team of managers, ideally across the UK.

Previous experience in successfully developing and implementing health and safety strategy / plans is essential. This role requires strong planning, prioritisation and organisation skills.

In‑depth knowledge of health, safety and environmental legislation is essential.

Extensive experience of managing H&S in a multi‑client facilities management environment, preferably in customer facing roles such as retail, leisure or logistics would be desirable.

A proven track record in stakeholder management and building relationships at all levels, both internal and external, is essential. The successful candidate will be a credible leader, with strong change management experience.

Previous experience in developing and presenting H&S information to senior leaders, both internally and externally, whilst also demonstrating a sound understanding of risk management, budgets, people challenges and customer expectations will be a prerequisite for this role.

Please submit your CV to Andrew Bridges at PDA Search & Selection.