Head of Health and Safety Operations (Interim Role)
12 Month Fixed-Term Contract
London (Hybrid)
Salary: £55,000 to £60,000 (dependent on experience)
We are partnering with a large, complex, and nationally significant organisation to appoint a Head of Health and Safety Operations. This is a leadership role within a high-profile public-facing environment, supporting thousands of staff, visitors, contractors, and service partners across the estate.
Reporting to the Director of Governance, the role will provide operational leadership for health and safety, wellbeing, and emergency management. Acting as the organisation's Health & Safety technical lead and competent person, the postholder will influence at senior level, lead a specialist team, and embed a positive, collaborative health and safety culture across diverse operational environments.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the organisation's health and safety strategy, acting as the principal professional advisor to senior leadership, committees, and the Board
Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice, monitoring internal and external risk trends
Act as the Health & Safety competent person, overseeing risk assessment, incident investigation, performance reporting, and governance
Provide strategic oversight of mental health and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation
Fulfil Duty Manager and Incident Control Officer responsibilities, leading responses to significant incidents, emergencies, and major events
Lead, manage, and develop a specialist health, safety, and wellbeing team
Chair health and safety consultation and Trade Union Safety Committees
Engage and influence senior stakeholders, trade unions, and external partners to drive cultural improvement
Hold responsibility for a health and safety budgetThe successful Head of Health and Safety Operations will have:
Senior-level health and safety leadership experience within a large, complex or public-sector environment
Proven experience managing live incident response and emergency situations
Strong understanding of health, safety, and operational security in public-facing environments
A track record of influencing senior stakeholders and leading organisational change
Experience leading and developing multi-disciplinary teams
Strong analytical, reporting, and KPI management capability
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
NEBOSH Diploma (or NVQ equivalent), or working towardsThis is an exciting opportunity to join a cutting-edge site undergoing significant investment and transformation. If the role is of interest, please contact Tom Hewat on or (phone number removed).
Irwin and Colton are a specialist Health and Safety recruitment company, based in the South East of England we recruit across the UK. We recruit all roles in the health and safety industry from Health and Safety Manager, Health and Safety Director through to Health and Safety Advisor positions.
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