Health and Compliance Manager - Facilities Manager - can be based anywhere (with travel) in Birmingham

My client, a leading property and facilities management group, is seeking to appoint a Health & Safety Compliance Manager to lead the strategic direction of Health & Safety and statutory compliance across a diverse UK-wide portfolio of 49 sites. This is a nationwide role with regular travel to site. This is a senior leadership role combining strategic oversight, operational support, and Board-level advisory responsibility. The successful candidate will act as the subject matter expert for Health & Safety, ensuring compliance, driving performance, and fostering a proactive safety culture across large-scale business and trading estates, light-industrial premises, and standalone office buildings.

The Health & Safety Compliance Manager will act as principal advisor to the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, shaping governance frameworks, risk management strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives across a multi-site environment.

• Health & Safety Strategy and Governance
  • Lead the strategic direction of Health & Safety and statutory compliance across the entire property portfolio, ensuring all activities comply with UK legislation and recognised best practice.
  • Act as the principal advisor to the Board and Executive Committee on Health & Safety governance, operational risk exposure, and mitigation strategies.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain robust Health & Safety policies, procedures, and assurance frameworks that promote accountability and consistent standards across all sites.
  • Re-establish and chair the company Health & Safety Committee on a bi-monthly basis, driving engagement and continuous improvement.
• Compliance and Statutory Assurance
  • Own and maintain all legislation and documentation relating to statutory compliance and testing, including legal registers, risk assessments, and compliance trackers.
  • Maintain a comprehensive and fit-for-purpose register covering all building and life safety systems, including periodic testing such as Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs), Legionella risk assessments, asbestos management, L8 compliance, fixed wire testing (FWT), LOLER, fire marshal training, and related statutory inspections.
  • Ensure robust processes are in place for permits to work, RAMS review, and contractor compliance across all sites.
  • Conduct internal and external audits of compliance obligations, landlord and tenant responsibilities, record keeping, scheduled testing, and certification anniversaries.
  • Oversee fire risk management across the portfolio, ensuring remedial actions are completed within agreed timeframes and appropriately documented.
  • Manage the Insurance Risk Improvement Register and ensure timely resolution of insurer-identified actions.
• Operational Support and Risk Management
  • Provide expert advice and practical guidance to Operations and site-based teams on safe working practices and operating principles.
  • Conduct regular site inspections across the portfolio to monitor operational risks, safe systems of work, and contractor performance.
  • Support centre teams in identifying, assessing, and mitigating customer-related risks.
  • Oversee accident and incident investigations, leading root cause analysis and ensuring corrective actions are implemented and embedded.
  • Monitor construction, redevelopment, and capital works projects to ensure full CDM compliance, including review of RAMS, permits, planning stipulations, and contractor adherence to safe systems of work.
  • Advise on Health & Safety aspects of capital expenditure projects and minor works programmes.
• Contractor and Supplier Oversight
  • Evaluate and review contractor and supplier competence, ensuring appropriate accreditations, certifications, and ongoing suitability.
  • Work closely with external suppliers to manage Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) standards and safeguard against critical building failures.
  • Ensure appropriate and regular Health & Safety training regimes are in place for employees and, where required, contractors involved in site management and maintenance activities.
• Continuous Improvement and Culture
  • Promote a positive, proactive safety culture across the business through structured engagement, training, and performance monitoring.
  • Advise senior leaders on emerging legislation, regulatory change, and evolving risk trends, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and forward-thinking.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across compliance monitoring, reporting frameworks, and risk management systems.

• Essential: NEBOSH Diploma or NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health & Safety.
• Extensive experience managing Health & Safety across a multi-site UK property portfolio.
• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, building regulations, workplace compliance, and CDM regulations.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing statutory testing regimes, fire safety compliance, and contractor management frameworks.
• Experience within real estate, facilities management, property management, or construction-led environments.
• Confident operating at senior leadership and Board level, providing clear insight, assurance, and challenge where appropriate.
• Proven ability to conduct audits, inspections, and compliance reviews across landlord and tenant environments.
• Strong analytical capability, reporting skills, and IT proficiency.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• Hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to operate autonomously in a nationwide role requiring regular travel.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Health & Safety leader to shape governance and compliance strategy across a complex, multi-site property portfolio while operating as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the Board.