Health & Safety Manager

Hopwood Hall; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Manchester is looking for a Health & Safety Manager. The role involves leading health and safety management systems, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and promoting a safety culture. Candidates should have a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent and substantial experience in managing health and safety, along with excellent communication and IT skills. This position offers a competitive salary of GBP 54,399 per year, with a full-time and permanent contract.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience of coordinating or managing Health & Safety.
• Experience of delivering H&S training & coaching to large and small groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and strengthen health & safety management systems.
• Oversee statutory compliance and maintain the Health & Safety Risk Register.
• Contribute to the Health & Safety Committee and deliver staff training.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Good administrative skills

Mentoring skills

Excellent IT skills

Report writing skills

Education

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent

Good standard of education up to level 3

Job description

Health & Safety Manager

Application Deadline: 23 December 2025

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Middleton

Compensation: GBP 54,399 / year

Description

To lead, coordinate and continually strengthen the college's health, safety management systems. The postholder will oversee statutory compliance, drive a proactive safety culture, and deliver effective H&S support to staff, apprentices, managers, and external employers. The role includes line management of the Health & Safety Officer and responsibility for Training @ Hopwood apprenticeship H&S compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Line Management

• Lead, manage, and support the Health & Safety Officer
• Promote a positive, proactive safety culture across the college
• Provide confident, practical advice to managers, curriculum teams, apprenticeships staff and employers

Health & Safety Management Systems

• Oversee and maintain the college's H&S database
• Develop systems for monitoring workplace safety, accident reporting, and near‑miss analysis
• Lead investigations into workplace accidents and RIDDOR‑reportable events, ensuring all forms are completed in line with current Health & Safety laws and incidents are reported on time
• Maintain the college Health & Safety Risk Register
• Ensure all H&S policies and procedures are regularly updated and reflect the latest legislative changes. This includes the annual review of the Health & Safety Policy, Fire Evacuation and Lockdown policies and procedures within the Business Continuity Plan
• Lead on reviewing contractor H&S prior to major works, including assessing RAMs and carrying out spot checks while works are underway

Audit, Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Coordinate the annual review of departmental risk assessments
• Undertake H&S audits and produce corrective action plans
• Ensure statutory inspections for equipment, machinery, LEV, lifting gear and pressure systems are carried out
• Assist with Fire Risk Assessments and Asbestos Management Plans

Committees, Reporting & Training

• Contribute to the Health & Safety Committee
• Provide reports, statistics and recommendations
• Deliver or coordinate staff H&S training
• Maintain adequate First Aid and Fire Marshal cover
• Ensure critical or urgent Health & Safety matters are raised with the Head of Facilities, Assistant Director of Finance & Estates, and SLT lead

Educational Visits

• Lead the use of the EVOLVE system
• Ensure all off‑site activities meet safety standards with suitable risk assessments and staffing ratios

Apprenticeship & Employer Compliance (Training @ Hopwood)

• Develop employer vetting procedures
• Conduct H&S and Standard 10 assessments
• Perform health checks with employers and monitor apprentice safety
• Produce corrective action plans and accelerate high‑risk concerns
• Make recommendations on the suitability of apprenticeship placements

Collaborative Working & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with Corporate Services and Facilities teams
• Support the Head of Facilities & Risk Management on wider initiatives
• Engage in CPD and maintain professional competence

Additional Duties

• Undertake any other duties of a similar level as required

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent
• Good standard of education up to level 3

Desirable Criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• IEMA Certificate in Environmental Management or equivalent
• Chartered membership of IOSH

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Extensive experience of coordinating or managing Health & Safety, developing policies, systems, procedures and undertaking audits.
• Experience of delivering H&S training & coaching to large and small groups, including inductions, risk assessments, manual handling etc.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of developing and implementing H&S strategies

Specialist Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Excellent working knowledge of H&S legislation.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Excellent report writing skills

Desirable Criteria

• Chartered Safety & Health Practitioner or working towards
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Personal Skills

Essential Criteria

• Good communication skills
• Good administrative skills
• Mentoring skills
• Can work well as part of a team, support and motivate others

Team Skills

Essential Criteria

• Can work well as part of a team, support and motivate others

Generic

Essential Criteria

• Awareness of equal opportunities issues and strong commitment to non‑discriminatory practices