We are working with a Local Authority in the Southwest who are seeking a Head of Health and Safety practitioner to act as the interim strategic lead for the corporate Health and Safety service at the Council.
Location: Southwest England
Set-up: Hybrid – ideally 2-3 days per week on-site
Rate: Up to £550/day via umbrella, inside IR35 (rate increase DoE)
Duration: Initial 3-month sign-off, likely extension
Hours: Full-time position
Responsibilities include:
* Lead the development and implementation of corporate Health & Safety and LoTC strategies, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations and delivery of best practice across all council services
* Act as the council’s principal H&S professional, advising on complex or high-risk matters, and coordinating with agencies such as the HSE and Fire & Rescue
* Drive and oversee the achievement of accredited standards under the Workplace Charter, managing a multi-disciplinary team to deliver on key well-being domains
* Manage H&S audits, accident investigations, training programmes, and reporting to inform strategic decisions and improve outcomes
* Lead the corporate H&S advisory service for schools and academies, including foreign travel and high-risk outdoor education activity assessments
Requirements:
* Chartered Member of IOSH with a relevant degree or equivalent qualification and a minimum of 10 years' senior experience in health and safety
* Demonstrated strategic leadership and people management skills, with experience leading change across large, complex organisations
* Deep understanding of statutory H&S responsibilities, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, Fire Safety Order, and related regulations
* Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead multi-agency collaboration to drive cultural and operational improvements
* Strong communication, project management, budgetary, and data analysis skills to underpin evidence-based decision-making