Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor

Head of Group Health, Safety, Environment, Compliance

£39,051 to £46,653 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £53,650.95 per annum)

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location. Currently, this role offers the opportunity to work remotely, normally 2 day/s a week in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment, that supports our passion for delivering world class education and ground-breaking research.

The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.

About the Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance team

The Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) team provides specialist advice, assurance and support across the University Group, helping to protect our people, environment and operations. The team works collaboratively across a broad portfolio including health and safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability, energy, statutory compliance, occupational wellbeing and organisational resilience.

Our focus is on enabling the University to operate safely, sustainably and effectively, while supporting continual improvement and providing assurance that key risks are appropriately managed.

As Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor, you will provide professional advice, support and assurance across the University’s Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) portfolio, helping to ensure that risks are effectively managed and the University continues to meet its legal, regulatory and organisational responsibilities.

Working as part of the wider SHEC team, you will support a varied programme of activity which may include health and safety, environmental management, statutory compliance, contractor management, fire safety, emergency planning, business continuity and wider risk and assurance activities.

Core responsibilities will include undertaking inspections and compliance reviews, supporting risk assessments, investigating incidents, delivering training and awareness activities, reviewing contractor documentation, maintaining appropriate records and performance information, and supporting the development and continual improvement of SHEC management systems.

The role is designed to be flexible and adaptable, enabling you to support different areas of the SHEC portfolio in response to organisational priorities, emerging risks and the future development of the team. This will provide opportunities to develop broader professional knowledge and experience across a complex and diverse University estate.

You will work independently within your areas of responsibility, collaborating with colleagues, managers, contractors and other stakeholders across the University.

The role will involve travel between University sites as required.

Anticipated interview date:Thursday 19th November 2026

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and adaptable SHEC professional with experience working within Health & Safety, Environment, Compliance or a related discipline. You will be confident working independently, managing competing priorities and building effective relationships with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders at all levels.

A NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent qualification, is essential, alongside relevant practical experience within a Health & Safety, Environment or Compliance role. The successful candidate should hold, or be willing to work towards, an appropriate level of professional membership with IOSH.

You will have a good understanding of relevant legislation and risk management principles, with experience of activities such as workplace inspections, risk assessment, incident investigation, training, auditing, contractor management and compliance monitoring. Strong communication, organisational and influencing skills are essential, together with the ability to provide practical and proportionate advice.

Experience within Higher Education, Estates, Facilities Management or another complex multi-site environment would be advantageous, as would additional qualifications or experience in areas such as environmental management, fire safety, construction, auditing, ISO management systems, emergency planning or business continuity.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is collaborative, curious and willing to develop across the wider SHEC portfolio, rather than specialising solely within one area.

• Conduct Health & Safety tours, inspections and workplace monitoring activities across University sites.
• Provide practical Health & Safety advice and guidance to staff, students, contractors and visitors.
• Support the implementation and continual improvement of the University's Health & Safety Management System.
• Assist managers and departments in undertaking suitable and sufficient risk assessments and implementing effective control measures.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and hazardous occurrences, preparing reports and monitoring corrective actions to completion.
• Deliver Health & Safety inductions, training programmes, toolbox talks and awareness campaigns.
• Support the management of contractors by reviewing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), permits and associated compliance documentation. · Undertake contractor inspections and monitoring activities, ensuring compliance with legislative and University requirements.
• Participate in internal audits, inspections and compliance reviews, supporting the closure of actions and recommendations.
• Raise purchase orders and support the administration of Health & Safety-related contracts, equipment and services.
• Maintain accurate Health & Safety records, inspection reports, audit findings, training records and performance data.
• Compile reports and statistics relating to Health & Safety performance and compliance activities.
• Support emergency planning arrangements, drills and business continuity activities where required.
• Promote a positive Health & Safety culture through engagement, coaching and visible presence across University campuses.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of relevant Health & Safety legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Support the delivery of compliance objectives and assist with regulatory inspections and audits as required.
• Monitor and maintain the Health and Safety Inbox.
• Attend and contribute at health and safety meetings as per schedule.
• NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent qualification.
• Membership of IOSH at Technical (Tech IOSH) level or willingness to work toward membership.

Experience

• Experience working in a Health & Safety, Compliance or similar advisory role.
• Experience conducting workplace inspections, audits or Health & Safety tours.
• Experience investigating accidents, incidents and near-miss events.
• Experience delivering Health & Safety training, inductions or awareness sessions.
• Experience working with contractors and monitoring compliance requirements.
• Experience maintaining records, preparing reports and analysing performance data.
• Experience of working with Health & Safety management systems.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Good understanding of UK Health & Safety legislation and associated guidance.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships at all levels.
• Ability to influence positive safety behaviours and challenge unsafe practices appropriately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Good organisational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise competing demands.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to produce reports and present information clearly and accurately.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Business requirements

• You will need to travel between sites therefore you will need a full UK driving license or be able to travel between many sites in an effective manner.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate.
• NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate.

Experience

• Experience working within Higher Education, Estates, Facilities Management or Construction environments.
• Experience supporting ISO 45001 aligned management systems.
• Experience of contractor management systems and permit-to-work processes.
• Experience supporting emergency planning and business continuity arrangements.

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Knowledge of CDM Regulations.
• Understanding of risk management principles within a complex organisation.
• Experience of using Health & Safety management software and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of statutory compliance activities in a large and diverse estate.
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Adam Gomes, Head of Group Safety, Health, Environment, Compliance via a.gomes@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including 'Mx', and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Start your journey to success by applying today.

#J-18808-Ljbffr