Health & Safety Manager
Fixed-Term Contract (6 Months) - potential for contract extension and longer-term opportunities.
Herstmonceux, East Sussex
£40,000 per annum + Performance-Related Bonus of up to £5,000
37.5 hours per week | Site Based
Lead the Programme. Deliver the Change.
Bader College and Herstmonceux Castle Estate are seeking an experienced Health & Safety professional to lead the implementation of a significant programme of Health & Safety improvements across a unique and diverse, multi-site operational environment.
Recent audits, inspections, fire risk assessments and specialist reviews have provided a clear roadmap of recommendations, risk mitigation measures and compliance improvements. We are now seeking a dedicated professional to take ownership of that roadmap and drive delivery across the Estate.
This is not a role focused on identifying problems or producing reports. It is a hands-on, project-based appointment focused on implementation, delivery and measurable outcomes.
Working across higher education facilities, student accommodation, heritage buildings, hospitality and venue operations, visitor attractions, gardens, grounds and maintenance functions, you will play a key role in strengthening Health & Safety arrangements and establishing sustainable systems that support ongoing compliance and continual improvement.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will act as the organisation's dedicated Health & Safety lead throughout the contract period.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will take responsibility for translating recommendations into action, coordinating implementation activity and ensuring agreed improvements are delivered across the Estate.
Key areas of focus will include:
- Developing and delivering a structured Health & Safety Improvement Plan.
- Reviewing, consolidating and prioritising recommendations arising from audits, inspections, fire risk assessments and specialist reviews.
- Leading the implementation of agreed actions and compliance improvements across operational departments.
- Establishing and embedding Health & Safety policies, procedures, governance arrangements and management controls.
- Developing systems for risk management, compliance monitoring, action tracking and performance reporting.
- Strengthening arrangements relating to fire safety, incident management, first aid, asbestos management, water hygiene and wider statutory compliance requirements.
- Providing assurance to senior leadership on implementation progress, risks, priorities and outcomes.
- Promoting a positive and proactive Health & Safety culture through engagement, awareness and practical support.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate they have successfully delivered this type of work before.
You will bring:
- Experience implementing recommendations and corrective actions arising from Health & Safety audits, inspections, compliance reviews, fire risk assessments or similar assurance activities.
- Experience developing and managing Health & Safety action plans, improvement programmes or compliance projects.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, Approved Codes of Practice and recognised best practice.
- Experience developing and embedding Health & Safety policies, procedures and management arrangements.
- Experience working collaboratively with managers and stakeholders to achieve agreed outcomes.
- The ability to influence, engage and drive implementation without direct management authority.
- Excellent organisational, communication and project coordination skills.
- The ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and maintain delivery against agreed timescales.
- Experience within higher education, hospitality, heritage, visitor attraction or similarly diverse operational environments would be highly advantageous
- NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent recognised Health & Safety qualification).
Desirable
- TechIOSH, CertIOSH or GradIOSH status.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a clearly defined programme of work and make a lasting impact across a unique educational and heritage estate.
We offer:
- A meaningful project with visible organisational impact.
- High levels of autonomy, responsibility and senior leadership exposure.
- The opportunity to establish sustainable Health & Safety arrangements that will continue beyond the duration of the contract.
- A collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Performance-related bonus of up to £5,000 linked to the successful delivery of agreed objectives, implementation milestones and key project deliverables.
- Potential for contract extension, subject to organisational requirements and successful delivery of objectives.
Important Information
This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports.
Success will come through your ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, coordinate delivery and drive implementation across the organisation.
If you enjoy turning recommendations into action, delivering meaningful improvements and leaving organisations in a stronger position than you found them, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
