Health And Safety Manager

Head of Health, Safety & Compliance

**London £65,000 to £75,000 plus benefits**

A private equity backed property and facilities management business is seeking an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Compliance to lead its health, safety, regulatory compliance and risk management activities across a diverse, multi-site operation.

This is a key leadership appointment, reporting to the Senior Leadership Team, with responsibility for strengthening governance, improving operational standards and ensuring the business meets its statutory and contractual obligations.

A major priority will be developing the existing function, transitioning from an outsourced and consultant led model towards a sustainable in-house capability, with clear accountability, effective systems and robust reporting embedded throughout the organisation.

The Role:

You will combine strategic leadership with practical operational expertise, providing senior management with clear assurance that risks are understood, appropriately controlled and actively managed.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategy and Governance: Develop and implement the health, safety and compliance strategy, establishing clear policies, procedures, accountability and reporting to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Health and Safety: Lead the development and continuous improvement of health and safety management systems, including risk assessments, safe systems of work, site inspections, audits and incident investigations.
• Building Compliance: Oversee statutory compliance across fire safety, asbestos, legionella, electrical and mechanical systems, work at height, hazardous substances and other relevant building and facilities management risks.
• Risk Management and Assurance: Establish risk based audit and assurance programmes, maintain compliance registers, monitor outstanding remedial actions and ensure effective controls are evidenced across the business.
• Contractor Management: Develop standards for contractor selection, competence, induction and ongoing performance, ensuring compliance requirements are embedded within contracts and operational delivery.
• Function Development: Review existing external arrangements and lead the transition towards an effective in house function, identifying the skills, resources, systems and specialist support required.
• Incident and Regulatory Management: Oversee incident reporting, investigations, corrective actions and engagement with relevant regulatory authorities, ensuring lessons learned are implemented.
• Leadership and Culture: Promote a proactive safety culture, strengthen accountability across operational teams and ensure managers understand and take ownership of their responsibilities.
• Stakeholder Management: Work closely with Facilities, Operations, HR, Procurement, Commercial and Finance teams, alongside clients, landlords, managing agents and external specialists.

About You

You will be an experienced health, safety and compliance professional with a strong background in facilities management, property services, building maintenance, construction or a similarly complex operational environment.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in a senior health and safety, compliance or risk management role, ideally within a multi site environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and the practical application of statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Experience overseeing building compliance, statutory inspection programmes, audits, site inspections and incident investigations.
• A proven ability to assess risk, challenge poor practice, prioritise remedial actions and improve operational standards.
• Experience managing contractors, subcontractors and external consultants, ensuring appropriate competence, compliance and performance.
• Strong governance and reporting skills, with the ability to present complex technical and regulatory matters clearly to senior leaders.
• Experience developing policies, procedures, management systems and effective compliance reporting.
• The credibility to influence senior stakeholders and operational managers, driving accountability and continuous improvement.

Desirable experience includes:

• Establishing or developing an in house health, safety and compliance function from an outsourced or consultant led model.
• Working across hard and soft facilities management, property services or managed property portfolios.
• Preparing senior le…