Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Health and Safety Manager to lead the strategic development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Trust’s Health & Safety and Fire Safety management systems. This pivotal role also encompasses responsibility for manual handling across both clinical and non‑clinical functions. With a workforce of approximately 14,000 staff across multiple sites, the Trust requires a dynamic professional who can ensure full compliance with statutory duties, national standards, and NHS regulations, while driving a proactive and positive safety culture organisation‑wide. As the Trust’s principal expert advisor on all matters relating to Health & Safety, Manual Handling and Fire Safety, the post‑holder will provide authoritative guidance to senior leaders and operational teams, lead and further strengthen our governance systems, set Trust‑wide direction, shape policy, and champion transformational improvements in safety performance and culture.
The role includes representing the Trust in external inspections and legal matters involving the Health and Safety Executive, Fire and Rescue Services, and other regulatory bodies. The post‑holder will work closely with executive and operational leadership teams to ensure robust risk management, incident prevention, and safety assurance across all clinical and non‑clinical areas.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the Trust’s Health, Safety and Fire Safety strategy, ensuring robust governance, effective policies and procedures, and high‑quality assurance reporting to the Board, including annual and ad hoc updates.
* Ensure organisation‑wide compliance with all relevant legislation, NHS requirements and standards (e.g. HSWA, Regulatory Reform Order, RIDDOR, CQC/HSE, HTMs, CDM, NHS England frameworks).
* Oversee the Trust‑wide Health & Safety Risk Register, ensuring effective risk controls and continuous reduction of harm.
* Monitor, investigate, and analyse incidents, trends, audits and inspections, embedding learning and supporting directorates to strengthen safe systems of work.
* Ensure regular audits, inspections and risk assessments are completed across all premises, including fire safety, manual handling, COSHH and DSE requirements.
* Provide expert advice to the Board, Executive Team, and departments, and act as the primary liaison with regulators and partner organisations.
* Lead and develop the Health, Safety and Fire Safety teams, overseeing budgets, resources, and staff capability.
* Represent the Trust in enforcement actions, legal proceedings and regulatory inspections.
* Drive a proactive safety culture through targeted campaigns, engagement initiatives, training programmes, competency frameworks, KPIs and performance dashboards.
Working for our organisation
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available. We know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too. We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Occupational Health and safety at Level 6 or above (or equivalent Level 6 qualification)
* Batchelor’s degree or postgraduate qualification in Occupational Health and Safety or Risk Management
* Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards
Experience
* Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in a senior Health and Safety role in a large, complex organisation
* Experience reporting to senior and or Board-level committees
* Experience of regulatory inspections and representing organisations in legal matters
* Experience in a senior health and safety role within the NHS or healthcare sector.
* Proven track record of leading H&S in a complex, multi‑site organisation; experience in conducting investigations, audits, and risk assessment
* Proven experience developing and delivering relevant organisational strategies
Skills
* Deep understanding of UK health and safety and fire safety legislation
* Good knowledge of CDM (2015) regulations
* Knowledge of NHS regulatory framework and standards (e.g. HTM/HBN, CQC, NHS England Safety Frameworks)
* Experience with incident management systems
* Strong understanding of risk management, incident investigation, and governance structures
* Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills
* Ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure
* Strong report writing and presentation skill
* Ability to lead change and embed a positive safety culture
* Collaborative and inclusive leadership style
* Commitment to continuous improvement
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (FHFT) is proud of its strong reputation, record of achievement and ambition for the future. We serve a population of over 900,000 people across Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey and South Buckinghamshire, and remain committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. Our new organisational strategy – FHFT 2030 – sets out our ambition to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work in the NHS. Underpinned by our Trust values – Committed to Excellence, Working Together, Facing the Future, and being a modern, compassionate, Healthcare Organisation – we are creating a culture where our people can thrive and patients always come first. We continue to invest heavily in our services and facilities, including the development of a new hospital at Frimley Park, major expansion of diagnostics and inpatient capacity, and the continued transformation of services across our sites. We have already delivered a brand‑new £100m state‑of‑the‑art Heatherwood Hospital, a £49m Emergency Assessment Centre at Wexham Park, and a £10m upgrade to maternity services. We are also committed to sustainability and the NHS Net Zero ambition. Our new hospital and estate developments are being designed to be environmentally responsible, energy efficient, and future‑proofed, featuring on‑site renewables energy and intelligent energy systems. Through our green plan, we are embedding sustainable practices across all areas of care and operations, ensuring we reduce our environmental impact while improving population health and wellbeing. Our staff are key to help us deliver on our ambition and to ensure sustainability is a core component of care delivery and our operations. Alongside estates’ investments, we are embedding a strong focus on digital innovation and quality improvement. Our electronic patient record (Epic), launched in 2024, is already enabling safer, more connected, and more effective care for patients, while giving staff the tools they need to do their best work. Our electronic patient record also supports safe and effective digitised care pathways, savings time and carbon, whilst delivering excellent quality of care. Everything we do is guided by our values, shaping how we care for patients, support colleagues, and build a sustainable future for healthcare together. Apply online now.
#J-18808-Ljbffr