Job Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Health, Safety, and Compliance Officer to oversee and promote a safe working environment within our organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining health and safety policies in compliance with relevant legislation. This role offers an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about workplace safety and regulatory compliance to make a meaningful impact.
Duties of the Health, Safety and Compliance Officer will vary, dependent on the function they are supporting across the organisation, these may include high risk activities along with events such as workshops or the use of equipment.
To ensure that the organisation (College, Cathedral, School and commercial operations) meets all statutory obligations and good practice standards in health, safety, and other regulatory risk compliance areas, while fostering a positive risk management culture across the institution.
The postholder will provide expert advice, develop policies and procedures, support risk owners with implementation and conduct audits and inspections within a historic and operationally complex setting.
The role requires an experienced and proactive Health, Safety and Compliance Officer to lead and coordinate health, safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management across the institution’s diverse operations. This is a highly visible and operational role requiring strong technical knowledge, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence across academic, ecclesiastical, educational, and commercial environments.
This post holder will promote a strong risk safety management culture and ensure all health, safety and compliance systems operate effectively, working collaboratively with academic functions, professional services, support teams and external partners
Responsibilities
- Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Health and Safety Leadership
· Lead the development, implementation, and review of the institution’s Health and Safety strategy, policy and systems
· Provide professional advice to the Governing Body, The Steward (Domestic Bursar), senior leadership and management teams across the whole organisation.
· Promote a positive culture through engagement, training, collaboration and communication.
· Monitor for, and evaluate new health, safety and fire safety legislation and advice on the impact and actions to meet legal compliance and other requirements
2. Compliance Management
Support organisational compliance with all relevant legislation including (but not limited to):
· Health and Safety
· Fire Safety
· Public safety regulations for visitor attractions and places of worship
· Food Safety
· Student Accommodation Code of Practice
3. Risk Management
· Develop and maintain risk assessment frameworks
· Support departments to produce suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
· Support managers with their investigation of incidents and near misses, to ensure corrective actions are identified, acted on and documented.
4. Fire Safety and Emergency Planning
· Support those with specific responsibility for fire safety to fulfil the organisation’s legal obligations.
· Support the development, test, and review of emergency procedures, including evacuation plans for historic buildings and accommodation.
· Support fire risk assessment owners and check required actions are taken.
· Support business continuity planning and emergency response coordination.
5. Training
· Support HR to develop and deliver health, safety and compliance training programmes for staff, clergy, academics, teachers, students and volunteers. .
6. Audit & Assurance
· Develop and implement a suitable health, safety and compliance assurance programme across the organisation
· Conduct regular inspections and audits across all sites.
· Produce reports for relevant committees (e.g., Governing Body, Chapter, Audit & Risk Committee).
· Support the maintenance of accurate compliance records and documentation systems.
7. Stakeholder & External Liaison
· Act as principal contact for the relevant enforcing authorities.
· Support insurance inspections and claims management processes.
· Liaise with Estates, School leadership, Cathedral staff, and visitor/commercial operations teams to ensure coordinated compliance.
Person Specification
Essential
· NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent) in Occupational Health and Safety.
· Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IOSH, IIRSM)
· Significant experience in a complex, multi-use organisation.
· Strong working knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and compliance requirements.
· Experience conducting audits and investigations.
· Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
· Strong organisational and report-writing skills.
· Ability to work sensitively within a historic and ecclesiastical environment.
Desirable
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification) in Occupational Health and Safety.
- Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards.
- Experience in an educational setting (school or university).
- Experience in heritage, listed buildings, or cathedral/church settings.
- Experience in public venue or visitor attraction safety management.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking with strong operational delivery
- Professional credibility and integrity
- Collaborative approach across diverse communities
- Calm and decisive in emergencies
- Detail-oriented with strong compliance oversight
- Pragmatic and solution-focused
Working Environment
The role will involve regular movement between College buildings, School facilities, Cathedral spaces, residential properties, and public-facing areas. Some evening or weekend work may be required to support major events, services, or inspections.
Given the historic nature of the estate, the postholder must be comfortable working in listed buildings and balancing conservation considerations with modern compliance standards.
Pay: £35,681.00-£41,636.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted or free food
Work Location: In person
