Permit Office Manager

Wates Group; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking an experienced Permit Office Manager to lead operations at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Saffron Walden. This site-based role ensures safe, compliant delivery of all contractor activities on a world-leading scientific campus.

The role requires strong background in Engineering/Construction/M&E, with deep knowledge of health & safety, CDM and permit-to-work systems. You will lead critical functions supporting maintenance and project activity while driving continuous

Qualifications

• Strong engineering/construction or M&E background.
• Excellent knowledge of UK health and safety, CDM and risk management.
• Experience with complex site statutory compliance.
• Proven leadership and ability to manage large teams.
• Experience with H&S audits and reviews.
• NEBOSH General/Construction Certificate or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Permit Office team to deliver compliant operation.
• Oversee permit issuance and close-out.
• Ensure contractor inductions; compliance with policies.
• Manage staffing for escorting and systems campus-wide.
• Chair or support weekly/monthly permit reviews.
• Maintain live campus map of active permits.

Skills

Engineering background

Permit-to-work

CDM compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

IT skills

Education

NEBOSH Certificate

Tools

Aconex

Buzzsaw

Job description

Location: Saffron Walden

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Permit Office Manager to lead our Permit Office operations at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Saffron Walden. This is a site-based leadership role, integral to ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of all contractor activities across a world-leading scientific research campus.

If you have a strong background in Engineering, Construction or M&E, with deep knowledge of health & safety, CDM and permit-to-work systems, this is an exceptional opportunity to lead a critical function supporting complex maintenance and project activity.

What You'll Be Doing

Leadership & Operational Management

• Leading and managing the Permit Office team to deliver an efficient, compliant Permit Office operation.
• Overseeing the preparation, authorisation, issuance, execution and close-out of all permits and control certificates.
• Ensuring all contractors are correctly inducted and compliant with WGC policies and CDM requirements.
• Managing staffing levels for escorting and assisting systems across the campus.
• Chairing or supporting weekly/monthly permit review meetings.

Compliance, Auditing & Risk Management

• Promoting and driving a positive safety culture across the Wellcome Genome Campus.
• Conducting on-site safety and performance audits of contractors and subcontractors.
• Ensuring the suitability and sufficiency of all Construction Phase Plans (CPPs) in collaboration with Estates & Facilities colleagues.
• Monitoring health & safety documentation, challenging gaps or unsafe practices where necessary.
• Maintaining a live campus map showing all active permits and transfers of control.

System Ownership & Continuous Improvement

• Taking full ownership of the electronic Permit to Work software system.
• Managing system uptime in collaboration with IT providers and leading on system improvements.
• Developing the contractor onboarding process to improve safety and operational efficiency.
• Proactively identifying improvement opportunities, ensuring WGC remains compliant, innovative, and efficient.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Acting as a key liaison between Facilities Management teams, visiting contractors, principal contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently, and without unnecessary delays.
• Supporting Contractors through inductions and system processes as needed.

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Strong background in Engineering, Construction or M&E with proven permit-to-work experience.
• Excellent knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, CDM regulations and risk management.
• Experience managing statutory compliance on a complex site.
• Strong understanding of QHSE systems.
• Solid IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel) and experience with systems such as Aconex, Buzzsaw or similar.
• Experience managing or overseeing large and small projects.
• Proven leadership, organisational and motivational skills.
• Experience carrying out H&S audits and reviews.
• NEBOSH General/Construction Certificate (or equivalent).

Desirable

• Formal qualification in Engineering, Construction or M&E.
• AP appointment in areas such as working at height, confined spaces, hot works, electrical, LOTO, pressure systems, etc.
• Membership of IOSH, APS, CIOB, RICS.

Essential

Experience Required

• Strong communication skills, able to work confidently with operational teams, managers and senior stakeholders.
• Able to lead the permit system end-to-end and support contractors without compromising safety.
• Experience reviewing safety documentation, challenging poor practices, and ensuring compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to support project delivery safely, on time, and within budget.
• Experience monitoring and improving safety and permit systems.

Desirable

• Experience managing high volumes of permits across multiple projects.
• Ability to identify high-risk areas and communicate risks clearly to contractors.
• Strong auditing experience, able to identify trends and escalating concerns appropriately.

Personal Attributes

We're Looking For a Permit Office Manager With

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Collaborative and personable working style
• Strong leadership and a solutions-focused mindset
• Confidence in challenging unsafe or non-compliant activity
• Innovation, attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement
• A results-driven approach with commitment to delivering safe, efficient operations

You'll be at the heart of a high-profile, high-complexity site where safety, precision and compliance are paramount. Your work will directly support the vital research and scientific breakthroughs happening every day at the Wellcome Genome Campus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to shape, lead and continuously improve the Permit Office function in a dynamic, prestigious environment.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting