Head of Health and Safety Services
10 days ago
Durham
Job Title: Head of Health and Safety Services Department: Estates and Facilities Accommodation and Commercial Services Grade: Grade 9 Salary range: £59,966-£67,468 Working arrangements: Permanent Nominal 35 hours per week Hybrid working (minimum of three days per week onsite, subject to business demands) There may be a requirement to work evenings and weekends, as business demands. There may be a requirement for the post-holder to participate in local on-call arrangements, as relevant to this role. In addition, there may be a requirement for the post-holder to participate in the University Silver (Tactical) on-call rota arrangements for major incidents. Closing date: Thursday 20th November 2025 The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department As Head of Health and Safety Service you will provide leadership, management, guidance and support in all areas of health and safety management across the University. You will oversee the corporate strategy, objectives, arrangements and infrastructure for managing health and safety, as well as monitoring the levels of compliance and implementation, while keeping the University Executive Committee and other senior leaders informed of any issues. You will have responsibility for developing and maintaining health and safety management systems, reviewing and refreshing existing policies and processes, as well as developing the safety management strategy, promoting best practice and ensuring full compliance while reinforcing a positive safety culture. This role, while positioned within the Estates and Facilities Directorate (E&FD), sits within the portfolio of the Chief Operating Officer, with responsibilities that span across the entire University. The post-holder is expected to provide expertise, guidance, and advice to ensure a safe environment for all academic, student, professional service, and visitor-related activities. E&FD provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year (a total of 42 days per year)., • The University closes between Christmas and New Year., • We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS)., • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker, • Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance., • We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities., • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme., • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16., • Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers)., • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community., • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions., • Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits., • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package. Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham, we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community that is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process, wherever it is reasonable to do so, and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criterion has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience., 2. Recognised professional practitioner, e.g. Chartered Member of IOSH or equivalent, with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation., 3. Relevant experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues, within a large, complex organisation., 4. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation., 5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements., 6. Track record of cross-functional management and development experience across a large service team or teams., 7. Extensive experience of operating at a strategic/expert level for a sustained period of time, in a health and safety role., 8. Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementations for strategic change, to ensure demonstrable continual improvement of health and safety. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally., 10. Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating, influencing and networking nationally and internationally., 11. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems, auditing tools, project planning, etc., 12. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition., 13. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines., 14. Awareness and understanding of the activities, objectives and strategic direction of an organisation, both current and future., 15. Well developed knowledge of systems/services for own area and across functions and how they relate to organisation wide strategy., 16. Breadth of vision gained from extensive experience in health and safety in a complex large organisation., 17. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels., 18. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions., 19. Ability to anticipate change due to changes in the legal, economic, social and governmental and/or technological environment related to health and safety., 20. Understanding of financial management procedures., 21. Well-developed understanding of health and safety regulations and procedures and the implications of non-compliance on an organisation, it staff and those that come into contact with it., 22. Demonstrable ability to provide specialist health and safety advice and influence others at operational at strategic levels., 23. Ability to understand and advise on technical areas of risk, such as scientific research or equivalent., 24. Demonstrable experience of developing a strong health and culture in a complex organisation. Desirable Criteria 1. Academic recognition at masters' level and professional recognition (or equivalent experience). How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above for those marked with *). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV, • A supporting statement or covering letter which clearly outlines, with examples, how you meet all of the essential criteria within the Person Specification Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Andy Mulligan, . Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values., • Provide professional and strategic leadership of health and safety for the University with accountability for the development and delivery of the health and safety delivery plans and outputs to ensure continual improvement., • Have a substantial impact on health and safety direction, strategy and objectives., • Contribute to strategic planning and influence the development of health and safety, and wider development goals., • Oversee and manage professional and regulatory standards and policies relating to activities carried out by the Health and Safety Service., • Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes in the optimal way, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists., • Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities such as health and safety policy and service level standards, through appropriate consultation and negotiation, including scoping, planning and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues., • Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services, which take into account strategic implications for the University, and make recommendations for how these can be implemented with health and safety., • Develop and implement new or improved policies, processes and standards., • Use your professional knowledge and experience as a health and safety practitioner to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice., • Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that system and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way., • Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders by ensuring that a programme of training and learning activities are designed and delivered by the Health and Safety Service., • Analyse and interpret complex data sources, to provide specialist insight that enables data driven decisions to be made about health and safety. Planning and Organising • Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities, to meet organisational goals., • Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide health and safety initiatives., • Ensure the Health and Safety Service is performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators., • Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered and keep implementation plans on track., • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources. Leadership and Team Development • Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills, to develop the people in your team(s) and ensure high standards of performance., • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring your team(s) in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities., • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans., • Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs., • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards and governance., • Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and use that information to improve and develop the Health and Safety Service team., • Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic level objectives., • Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders so that you can take these insights into account when developing the Health and Safety Service., • Explore options to promote and increase engagement in events and activities being delivered by your service., • Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs., • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement, which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
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