Health and Safety Senior Manager

Salary: £51,000- £61,000 + benefits.

Reports to: Head of Assurance | Grade: P3 | Directorate: Chief Operating Office | Contract: Permanent | Hours: Full time 35 hours per week | Location: Stratford, London (office‑based with high flexibility).

Role Overview

Lead Cancer Research UK’s Health, Safety & Welfare Strategy and Framework, ensuring a safe, compliant and supportive environment for staff and volunteers across retail, distribution, laboratory, office and event settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead, own, manage and govern the organisation‑wide Health, Safety & Welfare Strategy & Framework, reviewing as appropriate to ensure fit for the present and future.
• Build and maintain a shared understanding and ownership of safety practices across all activities and directorates, embedding a compliant safety culture at every level.
• Act as Cancer Research UK’s designated competent person under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, providing expert guidance, leadership and support for legal compliance.
• Develop, maintain and monitor the health & safety management system to ensure it remains effective and fit for purpose for the team, function and wider organisation.
• Oversee safe systems of work, risk assessments, policies, training, communications, monitoring, assurance and reporting; ensure compliance with all relevant, current and emerging legislation, regulations and best practices.
• Lead, develop and motivate the Health & Safety team of 3‑4 direct reports, helping them to maintain collaborative stakeholder relationships across the charity.
• Deliver continuous improvements in health and safety practices and drive a culture where health, safety and welfare are considered in all activities.
• Develop and deliver Cancer Research UK’s Annual Operating Plan, including ongoing hazard and risk identification, supplier due diligence and management, end‑to‑end accident and incident management and monitoring, budget management, providing management information, reporting and analysis, and running health and safety forums and committees.
• Provide professional advice, guidance and support, partnering with key internal stakeholders and teams (Risk, Property, Inclusion & Wellbeing, Safeguarding) and external third parties (enforcement agencies).
• Exercise sound judgment in health, safety and welfare matters – make timely decisions, raise escalation when necessary and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership for operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Provide relevant management information, including data analysis, trends and actions to address risks and issues, through verbal and written reports to the Head of Assurance and other stakeholders (Executive Board, Trustees).
• Undertake other tasks as necessary to contribute to the wider success of the Health & Safety team, the Assurance department and Cancer Research UK’s strategy.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma level+ qualified Health & Safety Manager with experience leading health and safety in large, complex, hybrid organisations (both onsite and remote).
• Expert knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, requirements and best practices with experience applying this knowledge across diverse environments.
• Proven ability to build credible and collaborative cross‑functional stakeholder and senior leadership relationships, demonstrating strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Strong prioritisation and organisation skills, with a track record of working independently with minimal supervision, managing multiple priorities and projects from initiation to completion while meeting deadlines.
• Proactive problem‑solving approach with a continuous improvement mindset, encouraging innovation and challenging conventional methods.
• Some experience in direct line or matrix management, or supporting more junior team members, with the ability to lead, empower, motivate and coach others to high performance.
• Ability to work as part of a team and senior leadership team, using wider thinking and contributing to the team’s collective success.
• Demonstrable leadership skills with experience influencing and supporting stakeholders and teams in driving change and health and safety compliance.
• Occasional travel across the UK on an ad‑hoc basis as necessary.

Benefits

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high‑quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work‑life balance, take positive steps in your career, and achieve personal wellbeing goals.

Note: Employment subject to professional qualification checks (e.g., NEBOSH).