At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety strategy across London’s largest bus operations.
- Company: Arriva London, a major player in public transport.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with regular travel across London sites.
- Why this job: Shape safety culture and influence at senior levels while connecting with frontline teams.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: London – Multi-Site
Competitive Salary + Benefits
Lead safety across one of London’s largest bus operations. At Arriva London, safety is at the heart of everything we do. We’re looking for an experienced and influential Head of Health & Safety to lead our health and safety strategy across our London operation. This is a senior leadership role with real scope to make an impact. You’ll work closely with operational, engineering and senior leadership teams to ensure we maintain the highest standards of safety, strengthen our safety culture and continually improve the way we protect our colleagues, customers and communities.
A visible, site-based leadership role requires regular presence across our London sites and garages. We’re looking for someone who wants to be visible within the operation – spending time with our teams, understanding what is happening on the ground and building strong relationships across the business. While there may be flexibility to work remotely when appropriate, this is not a predominantly home-based position. Regular travel across our London locations will be a fundamental part of the role.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and develop the health and safety strategy across our London operations
- Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders and operational teams
- Drive a proactive, positive and accountable safety culture across the business
- Maintain a strong and visible presence across our London garages and operational locations
- Monitor safety performance, identify trends and ensure appropriate actions are taken
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce risk and improve safety performance
- Ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, regulatory requirements and Arriva standards
- Oversee investigations into significant incidents and ensure lessons learned are embedded across the business
- Provide constructive challenge and assurance to operational and engineering leaders
- Develop and maintain effective risk management, audit and assurance processes
- Engage colleagues at all levels, ensuring safety is understood as everyone's responsibility
- Work collaboratively with wider Arriva teams and key external stakeholders
About you:
We're looking for an established health and safety leader who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to influence people at every level. You'll ideally bring:
- A NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 Health & Safety qualification
- Chartered membership of IOSH, or demonstrable progress towards Chartered status
- Significant experience leading health and safety within a large, complex and operationally focused organisation
- Experience within transport, logistics, engineering, fleet, manufacturing or another safety-critical environment
- Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and best practice
- Experience of developing and implementing health and safety strategy
- Strong investigation, risk management, audit and assurance experience
- The confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- A practical, visible and hands-on approach to safety leadership
- The ability and willingness to travel regularly across Arriva London's sites
- Experience within the bus or wider transport industry would be advantageous, but we're equally interested in senior safety leaders from other complex, safety-critical environments.
Why Arriva London?
Arriva London is one of the capital's largest bus operators, helping millions of passengers travel across London every year. This is an opportunity to lead health and safety in a large-scale, fast-moving operation where your work will have a direct impact on thousands of colleagues and the communities we serve. You'll have the opportunity to influence at senior level while remaining connected to the frontline operation – shaping strategy, challenging how we work and helping us continually raise our standards. If you're an experienced health and safety leader who believes the best safety leadership happens out in the operation as well as in the boardroom, we'd love to hear from you. Join Arriva London and help us keep London moving safely.
Head of Health and Safety employer: arriva
Arriva Group is an outstanding employer that prioritises the development and well-being of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where safety, compliance, and customer service are paramount. As a Coach Operations Supervisor at our Bangor depot, you'll enjoy opportunities for career advancement while working in a dynamic environment that values teamwork and operational excellence. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on delivering a reliable service, Arriva provides a fulfilling workplace for those passionate about passenger transport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health and Safety
✨Get Involved with Local Health Initiatives
Join local community health events or volunteer for organisations like public health agencies. This not only builds your experience but also helps you network with industry professionals who might know of openings at places like arriva.
✨Tap into Professional Associations
Check out associations like the Institute of Healthcare Management. They often have job boards, networking events, and conferences that are perfect for connecting with potential employers in health sciences administration.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow health policy news and trends—being knowledgeable about the current landscape will not only help you in interviews but also make you stand out as a candidate. You can discuss recent developments and their implications when chatting with folks at arriva.
✨Apply Through Our Website for Better Visibility
When you find roles that excite you, especially at places like arriva, don’t forget to apply through our website. This can sometimes give you an edge by showing the employer you’re savvy and committed to finding the right fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health and Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in health sciences administration, it's super important to spotlight any relevant experience you have in healthcare settings. Whether you've worked in a hospital, a clinic, or any related environment, make sure to detail those roles in your CV – focusing on your responsibilities and achievements that align with the job at arriva.
Showcase Your Administrative Skills:Administrative skills are key in this field, so don’t hold back! Make sure your CV reflects your proficiency in things like scheduling, data management, and compliance with health regulations. Mention specific software you’ve used, such as patient management systems, as this will demonstrate your hands-on abilities and readiness for the role at arriva.
Craft a Meaningful Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the health sciences field and your eagerness to contribute to arriva. Share a bit about why you’re drawn to this sector, any impactful situations or challenges you’ve encountered, and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in health sciences administration. This personal touch can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Documents to the Job:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role. Highlight any certifications you have relevant to health administration, and ensure you clearly connect your previous roles to the skills needed for the full-time position at arriva. This way, you're showing them you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at arriva
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
In health sciences administration, being organised is key. Make sure you can demonstrate your skills in managing schedules, paperwork, and data accurately. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like electronic health record systems or scheduling software, and how they improved efficiency in your past experiences.
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance is crucial. Brush up on HIPAA, GDPR, or other relevant policies before your interview. We recommend preparing examples of how you've ensured compliance or handled sensitive information in past roles—this will show you're not just knowledgeable but also responsible.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Interviews for administrative roles often involve scenario-based questions to assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to common situations you might face, such as dealing with a challenging patient or managing a sudden schedule change. This will not only demonstrate your ability to think on your feet but also highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Align Your Goals with the Organisation
As a full-time candidate, employers will want to know how your long-term career goals align with their mission. Take some time to research arriva’s values and be ready to tie your passion for health sciences administration into their objectives. Demonstrating enthusiasm and career alignment can be a game-changer in this competitive field!
