Location: Herstmonceux Castle Estate, East Sussex
Contract: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Working Pattern: On-Site | Flexible 3–4 Days Per Week Considered
Salary: £40,000 per annum (pro rata) + Performance-Related Bonus (OTE £45,000)
About the Role
Bader College and Herstmonceux Castle Estate are seeking an experienced Health & Safety Officer to lead a significant programme of health and safety improvements across the organisation.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will be responsible for progressing a broad programme of work focused on strengthening health and safety arrangements across the estate.
Working across higher education facilities, student accommodation, heritage buildings, hospitality operations and visitor-facing activities, you will review recommendations arising from audits, inspections and compliance reviews, translating findings into practical plans and ensuring agreed improvements are successfully implemented.
This is a highly autonomous role with significant responsibility. Acting as the organisation's dedicated health and safety resource, you will establish structure, develop practical systems for monitoring progress, work closely with managers and stakeholders, and ensure agreed objectives are achieved.
This is a hands-on implementation role. We are not looking for someone to simply identify issues or make recommendations. We are looking for someone who can organise, coordinate and deliver meaningful improvements.
Success in the role will be measured through the achievement of agreed objectives, implementation of improvements and delivery of measurable outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Review recommendations arising from audits, inspections and compliance reviews, translating findings into practical improvement plans
- Collate and centralise improvement activities into a structured programme of work
- Establish and maintain systems for managing, monitoring and reporting progress
- Develop implementation plans, priorities and timescales
- Work with departmental managers and stakeholders to assign responsibilities, maintain accountability and drive progress
- Deliver agreed improvements, ensuring outcomes are embedded and evidenced
- Review and strengthen health and safety policies, procedures and safe systems of work where required
- Conduct inspections, risk assessments and compliance reviews to support improvement activities
- Deliver health and safety training, guidance and awareness initiatives
- Provide regular progress updates and performance reports to senior leadership
- Establish sustainable processes that support ongoing health and safety management beyond the duration of the contract
About You
You will be an experienced health and safety professional with a proven track record of delivering improvement programmes and achieving measurable outcomes.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Experience implementing recommendations arising from health and safety audits, inspections or compliance reviews
- Experience developing structured improvement plans and delivering against agreed objectives
- Experience progressing initiatives through to completion within complex environments
- Experience working independently across multiple departments and stakeholder groups
- Strong knowledge of risk assessment, workplace inspection and compliance management
- The ability to influence, engage and challenge stakeholders where required
- Strong organisational, planning and coordination skills
- Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
Essential Requirements
- NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent recognised health and safety qualification)
- Practical health and safety experience gained within higher education and/or heritage environments
- Demonstrable experience implementing recommendations arising from audits, inspections or compliance reviews
- Experience developing and managing structured improvement programmes or action plans
- Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and recognised best practice
- Ability to work independently and deliver agreed objectives within defined timescales
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills
Highly Desirable
- Experience working within educational environments incorporating laboratory facilities
- Experience implementing HSG65-based management systems
- Experience managing contractor compliance and permit-to-work arrangements
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role will be measured through:
- Delivery of agreed objectives within defined timescales
- Establishment of effective systems for monitoring and reporting progress
- Implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and improvement initiatives
- Demonstrable improvements in compliance and risk management
- Positive engagement with managers and operational teams
- Creation of a sustainable framework that can be maintained beyond the duration of the contract
What We Offer
- £40,000 per annum (pro rata)
- Performance-related bonus with total earnings up to £45,000. The bonus is linked to the successful delivery of agreed project objectives, implementation of improvement actions and achievement of defined outcomes during the contract period
- Flexible 3–4 day working arrangements
- Potential for contract extension and future opportunities, subject to organisational requirements and successful delivery of agreed objectives
- A varied and interesting working environment based at the historic Herstmonceux Castle Estate
If you have relevant sector experience and a proven ability to deliver health and safety improvements, we would welcome your application.
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
