Head of Health, Safety & Fire Management
Salary: £65,000 to £75,000 plus bonus
Location: Primarily on-site (Surrey/Hampshire)
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
We're working with an independent healthcare provider who partner with the NHS to drive innovation and performance improvements. They are a truly exciting organisation with a values driven culture and shared mission to improve performance and standards of care for patients .
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Health, Safety & Fire Management to provide strategic and operational leadership across NHS clients and their community hospital sites. This is a pivotal appointment for our, created to re-establish strong, visible leadership following a prolonged period without a permanent Head of H&S.
The Opportunity
This is more than a compliance role. It is an opportunity to:
Rebuild and shape the Trust’s H&S and Fire leadership capability
Develop and coach a small but committed team
Strengthen contractor oversight and stakeholder relationships
Embed a mature, strategic H&S culture across clinical and non-clinical environments
Lead the route to ISO 14001 accreditation
Manage and maintain ISO 9001 within Estates
Potentially expand the remit to support partner trusts in the future
Deliver training, audits and inspections
Sponsor projects addressing non-compliance risks
Manage complex relationships with outsourced hard and soft FM contractors
Work diplomatically with Trust stakeholders across clinical and corporate services
Build collaborative partnerships with healthcare partners and community sites
You will chair the Trust-wide Health & Safety Committee and act as the senior competent person for Health & Safety and Fire, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and NHS standards.
Key Responsibilities
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for a confident, credible leader who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery.
Experience & Expertise
Significant experience of H&S leadership in healthcare
At least 5 years of experience working in the NHS. Other healthcare providers also considered.
Extensive knowledge of health, safety, fire and environmental legislation
Demonstrable experience producing Board-level reports and policies
Proven track record managing risk, audits and compliance programmes
Experience working with external regulators (HSE, Local Authority)
Experience sponsoring projects to address non-compliance
Strong understanding of environmental and governance challenges within estates functions
Essential Qualifications & Professional Standing
Degree educated or equivalent experience
NEBOSH Diploma (including Fire-related elements)
Chartered Membership of IOSH (or equivalent professional body)
Strong knowledge of UK Fire Safety legislation and HTM 05
Substantial senior management experience within health & safety
Experience within an acute hospital environment
Highly Desirable
Experience leading an organisation through ISO 14001 accreditation
ISO 9001 Internal Auditor qualification
Membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (or equivalent)
HTM Fire Risk Assessor training
Why Join?
If you are looking to join a dynamic company with ambitious growth plans over the next ten years, look no further. This is a pivotal rewarding and challenging role in our client's partnership, and you will have the opportunity to shape your career within an organisation where talent is recognised and where they will empower you to learn and develop. This is a rare opportunity to rebuild and shape a critical function at senior level. You will have the autonomy, visibility and strategic influence to embed a modern, proactive health, safety and fire culture - while still maintaining hands-on oversight within a small, committed team.
If you are a credible senior H&S leader ready to step into a highly visible, organisation-wide role and make a lasting impact, we would welcome your application.