Occupational Health Manager

We're the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year. We're transforming our business and embracing the future. We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

The Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager will provide proactive, practical advice and support across ABP's operations and functions, protecting and improving the health and wellbeing of the workforce. The role is responsible for building a clear, evidence-based understanding of ABP's occupational health risks across its ports and operations, and for using this insight to shape a proportionate, risk-based approach to health management and health surveillance.

A key focus of this 12-month fixed term appointment will be leading the onboarding and embedding of ABP's occupational health supplier, ensuring a smooth transition, robust service delivery, clear referral pathways, and strong working relationships between the supplier, HS&E, HR teams and operational managers. The role will also support the wider HS&E and HR teams to strengthen ABP's wellbeing culture, ensuring employees are supported to stay healthy, safe, and able to thrive at work. Acting as the go-to expert for occupational health across the Group, the postholder will use workforce health and engagement data to identify trends and inform proactive, targeted interventions across ABP sites.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the end-to-end onboarding of ABP's occupational health supplier, ensuring contract requirements, service levels and referral processes are clearly defined and understood.
• Develop a clear, evidence-based understanding of ABP's occupational health risks (e.g. noise, vibration, manual handling, respiratory hazards, fatigue, shift work, and mental health) across ports and operations.
• Support the development and delivery of ABP's health and wellbeing strategy, using workforce health and engagement data to identify trends and inspire targeted, proactive interventions.
• Design and deliver wellbeing initiatives and campaigns that engage employees across office-based, operational and shift-working environments which are clearly related to our health risks within ABP.
• Support managers and HR in the effective management of complex, long-term and work-related ill health absence cases.
• Ensure ABP's occupational health provision meets all relevant legal, regulatory and best practice requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor on all occupational health and wellbeing matters.
• Represent ABP in engagement with external occupational health providers, professional bodies and industry forums to keep abreast of best practice.

About you:

You will have a recognised occupational health qualification (e.g. Degree/Diploma in Occupational Health, Occupational Health Nursing qualification, or equivalent), or significant demonstrable experience in an occupational health / wellbeing management role, or a level 6 occupational health and safety qualification with a proven track record of focusing on occupational health and wellbeing in construction or utility organisations. With proven experience of managing or working closely with an occupational health provider, including onboarding, contract / SLA management and case management, you will have a strong understanding of health risk management, health surveillance and relevant legislation (e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, COSHH, Control of Noise/Vibration at Work Regulations).

The real key to your success in this role will be your strong work ethic, the ability to work with others and your interest in keeping our people safe.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications:

• Experience developing and delivering employee wellbeing strategies and initiatives.
• Experience embedding a positive safety and wellbeing culture within complex, multi-site, safety-critical operational environments, coaching and supporting site and operational teams to raise standards.
• Experience using workforce health and engagement data to identify trends and inform targeted, proportionate interventions.
• Experience managing complex absence and case management processes, working closely with HR and line managers.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret health data and translate it into practical, risk-based action.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, with the confidence to engage colleagues at all levels.
• Confident with the use of IT systems, case management platforms and reporting tools.
• A current UK driving licence and ability to travel regularly between ABP ports and sites.

Ideal:

• Experience within ports, construction, utilities, engineering or another high-hazard / safety-critical industry.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Occupational Medicine, iOH, IOSH).
• Experience managing the transition or mobilisation of a new occupational health provider or service.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits. Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also. We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.