First of its kind | Build the function | Professional services environment
Location: South West UK (hybrid, UK-wide travel)
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 + strong benefits
The opportunity
ReQuire are working with a high-growth, privately owned professional services business that is creating its first-ever Health & Safety Manager role.
This is a genuinely rare opportunity for a strong Health & Safety Advisor (or similar) who is ready to step into a standalone, managerial position and become the senior H&S lead across a circa 500-person, multi-site organisation.
There is no inherited structure, no existing in-house H&S function, and no bureaucracy to fight. You will be given the autonomy and backing to design, implement and own the Health & Safety framework for the business and, over time, to build and grow the function beneath you. These opportunities do not come around often!
Why this role is different
This is not a manufacturing, construction or heavy industry environment so therefore we want a Commercial mindset. Someone who can relate to the people in our client's business.
The business operates in a commercial, office-based, professional services setting, with 12–15 offices across the UK. Success in this role is about credibility, pragmatism and communication, not clipboards and box-ticking.
You’ll be working closely with senior leaders, office managers and people teams, ensuring Health & Safety is fit-for-purpose, proportionate and aligned to a commercial business.
What you’ll be responsible for
As the most senior (and initially sole) Health & Safety professional, you will:
Design, implement and continuously improve a company-wide Health & Safety framework
Ensure compliance with all relevant UK H&S legislation across a multi-site office environment
Take ownership of the relationship with external H&S consultants, bringing capability in-house
Carry out and coordinate site visits, audits and risk assessments (typically 1–2 per site annually)
Lead accident, incident and near-miss investigations, with clear reporting and corrective actions
Develop and embed clear, practical policies and procedures
Support facilities and office teams with remedial actions and building safety requirements
Oversee fire safety, emergency procedures and building compliance
Deliver engaging H&S training and communications to managers and staff
Act as the primary point of contact with regulators where required
Produce concise management information for senior leadership and Board reporting
Play a key role in new acquisitions, ensuring Health & Safety alignment during due diligence and integration
Champion a modern, proactive and commercially sensible H&S culture
This role is ideal for someone who:
Is currently a Health & Safety Advisor or similar and ready for their first true step into leadership
Wants ownership, visibility and the chance to build something from scratch
Is comfortable operating autonomously and influencing senior stakeholders
Understands how to apply Health & Safety in a commercial, professional environment
Enjoys travel and working across multiple sites
Sees H&S as a business enabler, not a blocker
Background & experience
You’ll likely have:
NEBOSH National Diploma (or equivalent)
IOSH membership (GradIOSH or working towards CMIOSH)
Experience supporting or managing Health & Safety across multiple sites
Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
Experience with risk assessments, audits and investigations
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
A pragmatic, proportionate approach to Health & Safety
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Experience in professional services, financial services or office-led environments is highly desirable. Candidates from heavily industrial or manufacturing backgrounds are unlikely to be a fit.
Location & flexibility
Ideally based in the South West (or within reasonable reach)
Hybrid working with regular UK travel
Package
£50,000 base salary (depending on experience)
Excellent benefits package
Significant scope for future progression as the H&S function grows
Final word
This is a career-defining role for the right person.
If you’re looking to move away from being one of many, and instead become the trusted, senior Health & Safety lead in a growing, commercially minded business, this is a rare and compelling opportunity