Head of Health, Safety and Compliance

We are currently searching for a proficient, dynamic Head of Health, Safety and Compliance to become an integral part of our central team. We are looking for an experienced professional who will provide high quality leadership and management for all aspects of the trust’s estates, facilities and health and safety across our 16 schools. You will ensure high levels of legal and regulatory compliance in relation to health and safety and act as a trusted Advisor leadership on all matters relating to Health & Safety.

This is an exciting time to join our trust and lead our next phase of our health and safety journey as part of our imminent growth plan. We have a well-established Business Partner team who will work alongside the successful candidate. You will lead a team who are required to ensure compliance with the various statutory legislation, deliver training and carry out audits against the current health, safety and fire practices within our schools. You will ensure a programme of audit to provide assurance that organisational Health, Safety and fire policies are being followed.

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the trust central team and to shape the future direction and strategy of this critical operational function.

The Nova offices are in the Sir Colin Campbell building on the University of Nottingham Jubilee Campus. This is a modern, purpose-built campus with many state of the art, sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. It has facilities available to our staff such as a Costa coffee shop, cafes, a convenience store, a discounted gym and plenty of outdoor spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and diligently lead the Trust’s Health & Safety strategy in accordance with legal requirements, ethical guidelines and trust policies.
• Ensure high levels of trust oversight of legal and regulatory compliance in relation to health and safety identifying any areas of actual or potential non-compliance.
• Act as a trusted Advisor to school and trust leadership on all matters relating to Health & Safety and senior escalation for risks to health and safety, making any necessary recommendations to update the Risk Register.
• Provide professional advice to colleagues as required to ensure that health and safety compliance obligations are upheld.
• Lead on the trust’s Health and Safety assurance framework in conjunction with the Director of Operations.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive suite of key performance indicators for all areas of health and safety ensuring the highest level of integrity of data for assurance reporting.
• Drive and lead the trust to achieve a culture of safety which is embedded in everything it does by promoting an open and transparent health and safety culture across the organisation; primarily focusing on delivering strategic objectives and positive outcomes.
• Responsible for the trust’s compliance with all statutory Health & Safety obligations ensuring compliance in all areas pertaining to health, safety and welfare at work including statutory training and reporting.
• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of school health and safety plans to ensure legal compliance and strategic development.
• Lead on implementing and maintaining a stringent approach to health and safety risk assessments in all areas of the business.
• Work in collaboration with the Capital Projects Lead in support of our commitment to enhance the learning and life experiences for pupils, colleagues and our communities.
• Support and advise on capital projects where health and safety advice and guidance is necessary for projects commissioned.
• Support in the commitment and delivery of the Department for Education’s (DfE) School rebuilding Programme (SRP), as required.
• Chair the trust’s Health and Safety Committee and be responsible for the coordination and implementation of school Health & Safety Committees.
• Lead a Health and Safety steering group ensuring a trust-wide focus on health and safety performance and the monitoring of compliance and accountability to the Executive Team.
• Support and champion the Health and Safety Management System, policies and procedures and lead the implementation by all Academies and trust departments.
• Act as a member of the central Head of Service group.
• Lead in own area of responsibility in relation to school conversions and onboarding.
• Promote a positive ethos of Health & Safety across and generate strategies that can be disseminated across Academies.
• Manage all aspects of health and safety matters including assisting schools with risk assessments, health and safety policy, fire safety and emergency planning.
• Perform any other additional duties relevant to the position.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

Essential

• NEBOSH / IOSH Diploma in Health and Safety or equivalent and / or CIWFM or similar professional accreditation.
• Experience in building safety and compliance.
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

Desirable

• Project Management Qualification.
• Degree in Facilities Management or an appropriate qualification.
• RICS Qualified.

Experience

Essential

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of health, safety and risk management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements in facilities management and / or health and safety.
• Ability to interpret and provide authoritative advice on health and safety and risk management issues.
• Experience in completing health and safety management audits and implementing action plans to meet audit findings.
• Proven experience of working in a health and safety role at a similar level and bringing about culture change within an organisation.
• Significant experience of working/negotiating directly with senior colleagues and external partners.
• Experience in training, coaching and mentoring to develop health and safety knowledge and expertise.
• Line Management experience including providing positive support, advice and encouragement in the development of colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience working across a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) and / or public sector organisation.
• Experience of working with complex Assurance Frameworks.
• Experience of using Health and Safety Management systems.
• Experience of School Condition Allocation (SCA).
• Working knowledge of procurement and contracts undertaking responsibility for the care and maintenance of MAT premises.
• Experience of tender specifications.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a range of different audiences.
• Team player with the ability to support colleagues.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
• Proficient in all areas of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage workload and work on own initiative.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel across Nottinghamshire, Derby & Leicestershire.