At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a proactive safety culture across our charity's services.
- Company: Join David Lewis, a values-driven charity making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £65,000 and meaningful work in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a transformative role.
- Why this job: Shape strategy and influence leaders while keeping vulnerable people safe.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH/IOSH qualification and significant Health & Safety leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 65000 € per year.
At David Lewis, safety is about far more than compliance. It’s about protecting and supporting the people who live, learn and work across our charity every single day.
We are looking for an experienced and influential Head of Health & Safety to lead and develop a proactive, positive and organisation-wide safety culture across our specialist education, residential and clinical services. This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established charity at a transformational point in its journey — helping shape strategy, influence senior leaders and make a genuine difference to the lives of people with complex needs, epilepsy and learning disabilities.
The Role
Reporting to the Director of People, Culture & Systems, you will act as the charity’s lead competent person for Health & Safety, providing expert leadership, professional advice and strategic direction across all sites and services.
You’ll lead on:
- Health & Safety strategy and compliance
- Developing a strong organisational safety culture
- Fire safety and risk management
- Audits, inspections and incident investigations
- RIDDOR reporting and lessons learned
- Contractor and estates safety management
- Supporting leaders to manage risk effectively
- Health & Safety assurance reporting to senior leadership
- Embedding the principles of Martyn’s Law across the charity
You’ll also line manage the Health & Safety Officer and work closely with operational leaders, Estates, Governance, HR and external agencies.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who combines technical expertise with strong leadership and relationship-building skills. You will ideally have:
- NEBOSH / IOSH recognised qualification (degree or postgraduate diploma level)
- Significant Health & Safety leadership experience
- Experience within health, social care, education or a similar complex environment
- Strong knowledge of current HSE legislation and best practice
- Excellent influencing and stakeholder engagement skills
- The confidence to challenge, support and lead positively across all levels of the organisation
A Fire Safety qualification and Chartered IOSH status would be advantageous.
This is more than a compliance role. It’s an opportunity to:
- Influence organisation-wide culture
- Join a charity with real purpose and impact
- Work alongside passionate and values-led colleagues
- Shape systems, standards and future development
- Help keep vulnerable people, colleagues and visitors safe every day
If you’re a strategic Health & Safety professional looking for a role where your expertise genuinely matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Join us and help create safer environments where people can thrive.
Head of Health & Safety employer: Davidlewis
David Lewis is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead Health & Safety within a values-driven charity dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with complex needs. Located in Alderley Edge, our organisation fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration, allowing you to influence safety culture and strategy while working alongside passionate colleagues who share your commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health & Safety
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the health and safety field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience and knowledge in health and safety. Share specific examples of how you've shaped safety culture or managed risks effectively. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on the charity and its values before the interview. Understand their current challenges and think about how you can contribute to their mission. We love candidates who come prepared with thoughtful questions and insights that show they’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and making a positive impact in the health and safety space.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health & Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in health and safety. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to create a positive safety culture.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Health & Safety, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Use your application to share examples of how you've influenced safety culture and engaged stakeholders in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and qualifications stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this meaningful role in our organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Davidlewis
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest HSE legislation and best practices in health and safety. Being able to discuss current trends and regulations will show that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely passionate about the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or influenced safety culture in previous roles. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, especially in complex environments like health or education.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders. Highlight your influencing skills and how you've managed to get buy-in for safety initiatives from different levels within an organisation.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Vision
This role is all about shaping strategy, so come prepared with ideas on how you would develop a proactive safety culture. Think about how you can align safety goals with the charity's mission and values, and be ready to share your vision.
