Job Description
Head of Occupational Health / Clinical Lead
Reporting to: Director of HR
Type: Permanent
Salary: £46,461 – £65,000 per annum
Location: Huddersfield (HD1 area)
Sector: Education
Work arrangement: Mainly office (with potential of once every couple of weeks at home)
Grade: 8–9
Role Purpose
The Head of Occupational Health provides strategic and operational leadership of the University’s Occupational Health (OH) Service, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, compliant and customer-focused provision that supports staff wellbeing, organisational effectiveness and statutory responsibilities.
The postholder will lead service development and clinical governance while maintaining hands-on involvement in complex case management. The role also holds responsibility for managing external Occupational Health Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including established partnerships with local authority clients.
This is a senior “player-manager” role requiring strong clinical credibility, strategic oversight and commercial awareness.
Key Responsibilities
Service Leadership & Strategy
* Lead development and continuous improvement of the Occupational Health service.
* Advise the Director of HR on occupational health risks, trends and interventions.
* Ensure compliance with legislation and professional standards.
* Contribute to wider wellbeing and workforce strategies.
Clinical Delivery & Governance
* Oversee day-to-day Occupational Health operations.
* Oversee daily clinics 9-4, vaccination and screening
* Manage complex sickness absence, fitness for work and workplace adjustment cases.
* Lead health surveillance, statutory medicals and vaccination programmes.
* Ensure high-quality reporting, clinical governance and audit processes.
Advisory & Partnerships
* Act as lead adviser on occupational health matters.
* Work closely with HR & Health & Safety
* Liaise closely with wellbeing colleagues to provide a holistic programme of health and well-being promotion and prevention.
* Support complex employee relations cases.
* Manage external SLAs, including local authority partnerships.
Leadership & Management
* Lead and develop the Occupational Health team.
* Manage budgets, resources and KPIs.
* Manage a team of nurses and an office manager
* Drive service performance and continuous improvement.
Person Specification
Essential
* Registered Occupational Health professional (e.g. SCPHN (OH), Occupational Health Physician or equivalent).
* Current professional registration (NMC/GMC/HCPC).
* Significant senior experience within Occupational Health.
* Experience leading an OH service or team.
* Strong clinical expertise in fitness for work and case management.
* Experience of governance, audit and service improvement.
* Experience managing SLAs or external stakeholders.
Please apply for this role online or contact Abbie Carr at Spirehouse for a confidential discussion.
0121 630 4774
abbie@spirehouse.co.uk
Spirehouse Recruitment is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.