Health, Safety and Facilities Advisor

Irwin & Colton Limited; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major defence contractor in Edinburgh is seeking a Health, Safety and Facilities Advisor for a 6-month contract, with potential for extension. The role involves supporting compliance across a complex industrial site, focusing on areas like asbestos management and fire safety. Responsibilities include leading audits, ensuring contractor compliance, and engaging with regulatory bodies. Candidates must have SC clearance and a robust background in facilities management compliance. A competitive day rate of £400 applies.

Qualifications

• Strong background in compliance within heavy industry or similarly regulated environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge of regulatory frameworks and standards.
• Experience with audits and contractor oversight in complex settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance activities across facilities operations.
• Conduct SHEQ audits and prepare reports for senior leadership.
• Monitor contractor activities ensuring safe practices.

Skills

Facilities management compliance

ISO 45001

Auditing and inspecting

Asbestos management

Fire safety standards

Environmental protection

Job description

Health, Safety and Facilities Advisor - 6-month Contract

Location: Edinburgh
Duration: Initial 6 months (strong likelihood of extension)
Start: ASAP & SC REQUIRED
Working Pattern: 5 days on site
Day Rate: £400 per day (Outside IR35)

We're partnering with a major defence contractor to recruit a Facilities Compliance Advisor for a large, complex operation supporting submarine and vessel programmes. The site encompasses extensive industrial facilities, heavy engineering environments, dry docks, and a broad portfolio of infrastructure and estates responsibilities.

The role sits client-side within the Facilities and SHEQ function, supporting the Head of SHE to stabilise, audit and uplift compliance standards across a busy operational estate. This will involve deep-dive assessments, contractor oversight, regulatory coordination and ensuring statutory compliance across multiple facilities disciplines.

Due to the nature of the site, Security Clearance (SC) is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support compliance activities across facilities operations including:
  LOLER, lifting equipment, legionella control, F-Gas, asbestos, fire safety and wider statutory FM requirements.
• Conduct SHEQ audits, inspections and gap analyses, preparing reports, action plans and compliance roadmaps for senior leadership.
• Review and challenge contractor documentation, RAMS, competence evidence and maintenance records.
• Undertake deep-dive investigations into compliance shortfalls or non-conformities, producing clear corrective and preventive actions.
• Monitor and coordinate contractor activities across the facility, ensuring safe working practices in a heavy industrial dockyard environment.
• Support the review of Construction Phase Plans (CDM) for ongoing infrastructure and building works across the site.
• Engage with regulatory bodies (e.g., environmental regulators) when required and support the site in closing out actions and demonstrating compliance.
• Provide technical guidance to a large Facilities team, helping embed long-term standards and processes.
• Produce regular progress updates, KPIs, and findings for senior leaders and programme stakeholders.

Candidate Profile

• SC-cleared
• Strong background in facilities management compliance within heavy industry, marine, energy, manufacturing or similarly regulated environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge of:
  ISO 45001, LOLER, PUWER, legionella, F-Gas, asbestos management, fire safety, environmental protection requirements.
• Experience carrying out audits, inspections, compliance reviews and contractor oversight in a complex industrial estate.
• Strong understanding of CDM requirements relating to estates/building works
• Able to interpret technical documentation and communicate risks clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Comfortable in fast-moving environments with multiple parallel workstreams and emerging priorities.
• A proactive problem-solver with the ability to take ownership of short-term uplift projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a cutting-edge site undergoing significant investment and transformation. If the role is of interest, please contact Tom Hewat on or 01923 432 637.