Head of QHSE Soft FM

OCS; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a senior QHSE professional to provide expert advice to the CEO, Managing Directors and operational leaders across the Cleaning, Security, Pest Control, Window Cleaning and Catering divisions. You will lead a QHSE team and drive safety performance improvement across the group.

You will develop policies, deliver audits and investigations, and coach management to embed a Just Culture while ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma or working towards
• Chartered IOSH status preferred, or working towards Chartered status
• Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety compliance and statutory requirements
• Extensive practical safety management experience in services/manufacturing/industrial environments
• Experience with sectors such as cleaning, security, catering, aviation, transport, facilities management
• Experience investigating significant events and dealing with enforcement authorities

Responsibilities

• Provide QHSE advice to the CEO, MDs, Directors and operational teams across divisions
• Lead and develop a QHSE team with direct/indirect reports and mentor operations in QHSE ownership
• Develop and implement policy and processes within the QHSE Management System
• Deliver audits, incident investigations and safety tours to improve performance
• Prepare QHSE scorecards and present at Senior Leadership Team meetings
• Coordinate communication on QHSE issues and promote learning and a Just Culture

Skills

NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma

Chartered IOSH

HSE compliance knowledge

Safety management experience

Full UK driving license

Stakeholder management

Job description

About The Role

Role Overview

To provide QHSE advice to the OCS Soft Services Business Chief Executive Officer, Managing Directors, Operational Directors, Senior Managers and operational teams as well as support and provide encouragement to operational management in the delivery of the QHSE Management System. The role covers the OCS Cleaning Division (including Rail and Aviation), OCS Security Division, OCS Pest Control Division, OCS Specialist Window Cleaning and OCS Catering Division.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Functional

• To work collaboratively and constructively with Operational Teams to ensure continually improving safety performance & ensure a consistent and seamless delivery of QHSE support.
• Provide a “hands‑on” approach in continued support, mentoring and coaching to the business operators to enable operators to own and manage QHSE within their Operational Teams..
• Manage and oversee a QHSE Team with 6 direct reports and 6 in-direct reports ensuring the team continues with their professional development. as it supports operational management in the delivery of the QHSE management system
• Provide expertise in QHSE matters, monitoring and oversight of the OCS Soft Services Business, including; Retail, Hospitality, Rail, Aviation, Security, Food & Distribution, Pest Control, Security, Catering and Specialist Window Cleaning.
• Develop and implement new policy & process with the QHSE Director as necessary.
• Assist with policy and process review programs within the QHSE Management System as required, ensuring the system maintains its effectiveness for the business operational needs.
• To communicate proactively on QHSE issues and prepare bulletins and briefs, as requested, to promote learning
• Development on monthly QHSE scorecards for the business divisions and deliver performance reports at Senior Leadership Team meetings.
• Assist in the development, formulation and delivery of annual QHSE objectives
• Deliver the risk-based audit programme and work with stakeholders to strive to improve QHSE standards.
• Managing a program of oversight & monitoring, including routine Safe Site Inspections, ad-hoc safety tours and Colleague Engagement Visits.
• To secure agreement where resources are allocated aiming to achieve optimum return for our efforts
• To support the business to manage effectively QHSE matters, capable of taking appropriate and timely corrective actions when required
• Coordinate the investigation of significant events that have the potential to compromise the business
• Oversee and support accident and incident reporting under RIDDOR
• Liaise with enforcement authorities (e.g. HSE, EHO)
• Attend Operational meetings as required to provide QHSE reports, updates, assistance & knowledge
• Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders
• Help up-skill operational management, in addition to external training, on QHSE matters and management.
• Remain up to date with new legislation and industry initiatives to enable maintenance of CPD

General

• Avoid conflict of interests between personal interests and the interests of the UK & Ireland group.
• Exercise independent judgment, reasonable care, skill and diligence when carrying out their duties.
• Act in good faith and promote the long-term success of each company within the UK & Ireland group for the benefit of all members and wider stakeholders.
• Adhere to and promote the UK & Ireland group’s policies on equality & diversity, information security, health and safety and data protection in the performance of their duties.
• Support and promote the UK & Ireland group’s sustainability plans and policies, including the Carbon Management Plan, and carry out duties in a resource effective way, recognizing the shared responsibility of minimizing negative environmental impacts wherever possible.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Necessary

• NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals (or equivalent) or working towards.
• Chartered IOSH status preferred, but at a minimum working toward Chartered status
• Comprehensive knowledge of Health and Safety compliance and statutory requirements placed on the business,
• Extensive practical safety management and delivery experience, preferably in a services, manufacturing, industrial or engineering environment. A working knowledge of environmental law is preferred.
• A proven history of working in relevant industry sectors is important combined with specialist knowledge of services e.g. cleaning, working at height, security, catering, logistics, grounds maintenance, cleaning, aviation and transport, facilities management.
• A credible level of experience in investigating significant events and in dealing with enforcement agencies. A good knowledge and understanding of civil claims and criminal enforcement.
• Confident when dealing with the enforcing authorities
• Hands‑on delivery
• Able to operate and communicate competently with any level of customer within both the internal and external client organisation.
• The ability to demonstrate proactive customer relationship management and effective relationship building is essential.
• Seek to create a “Just Culture” model learning from mistakes
• Behave in an ethical and sustainable way
• Full UK drivers license

Desirable

• Be committed to performance excellence.
• Seek to be motivational and encouraging.
• Have open and transparent communications.
• Create constructive and respectful relationships.
• Recognise that diversity and difference are assets.
• Demonstrate a consistently positive attitude to work.
• Seek to ensure all staff are treated fair

Core Expectations

• Show flexibility in working arrangements to ensure that a high level of service is delivered.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Have a positive and focused attitude when dealing with all colleagues
• Be able to take personal responsibility
• Have a flexible and positive attitude towards work
• Be keen to continuously improve own learning and development
• Support and embed the UK & Ireland group’s corporate values.

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.