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- Tasks: Lead health and safety initiatives, ensuring compliance and promoting staff welfare across the organisation.
- Company: Hywel Dda University Health Board, dedicated to providing top-notch NHS healthcare services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence healthcare at a national level.
- Why this job: Shape a culture of safety and make a real difference in healthcare delivery.
- Qualifications: Master's degree or equivalent experience in health and safety management.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with over 13,000 staff committed to improving community health.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of Health and Safety to provide strategic leadership and ensure the highest standards of health, safety, security and staff welfare across the organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced specialist to influence, shape and drive an ambitious programme of modernisation, cultural improvement and organisational safety.
Main duties of the job
- Provide strategic and professional leadership for health, safety, security and welfare across the Health Board.
- Develop and deliver evidence-based policies, strategies and improvement plans, ensuring compliance with legislation, NHS Wales requirements and regulatory expectations.
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders, trade unions, professional bodies, Welsh Government and regulators.
- Lead the development of safe systems of work, modern approaches to health and wellbeing, and innovative solutions to improve workforce safety and organisational performance.
- Oversee the management of non-clinical risk, incident systems, dashboards, audits and the Health Board's safety performance framework.
- Provide expert advice and highly complex information in areas that may involve contentious or sensitive issues.
- Manage resources, budgets, staff development and professional standards within the Health, Safety, Security and Welfare Teams.
This role offers the opportunity to influence service delivery at a local and national level, ensuring that the Health Board meets its legal duties and continues to build a strong culture of safety.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting. Stakeholder panels will be held on 17/03/2026. Interviews will be held on 18/03/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
- Educated to Master's Degree or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance assessments/inspections.
- In depth professional knowledge in health & safety management, performance management and financial management.
- Understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework for health & safety in NHS Wales.
- Understanding of the modernisation agenda for the NHS.
- Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IOSH.
Experience
- Substantial experience in a senior management position in a large complex health/social care organisation.
- Substantial experience of managing effective compliance against health & safety legislative and regulatory frameworks.
- Significant experience in management of change management process.
- Strong track record of internal and external partnership working.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary/agency partnership working.
- Experience of planning and implementing long-term strategy.
- Demonstrable success in building, leading, motivating, managing, and developing teams.
- Ability to influence at all levels and a highly strategic thinker.
- Advanced theoretical, specialist and practical knowledge relevant to the portfolio.
- Experience of working in a political environment.
Other
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner and nationally.
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1).
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Head of Health and Safety employer: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Contact Detail:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health and Safety
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the health and safety field, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Hywel Dda University Health Board thoroughly, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine when discussing how you can lead their health and safety initiatives.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring along examples of your past work, especially any innovative solutions you've implemented in health and safety. We love seeing how you’ve made a difference in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make an impact in health and safety, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health and Safety
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in health and safety management. We want to see how your skills align with the strategic leadership role we're offering.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've improved health and safety standards in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure you apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it reaches the right people quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hywel Dda University Health Board
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest health and safety regulations, especially those relevant to NHS Wales. Familiarise yourself with the legislative framework and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these requirements.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your strategic leadership in health and safety. Think about times when you've influenced change or improved safety culture in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead at a senior level.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since the role involves working with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss your experience in partnership working. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with trade unions, professional bodies, or government entities to achieve health and safety goals.
✨Be Ready for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions that delve into handling contentious or sensitive issues. Prepare to share how you've navigated complex situations in the past, providing expert advice while maintaining compliance and staff welfare.
