Safety Compliance and Assurance Manager

An opportunity is available for a Safety Compliance & Assurance Manager. Reporting directly to the Head of Safety Policy, Compliance & Assurance you will develop, oversee and support the programme of Compliance assessments and Assurance deep dives. You will lead your newly established team in the implementation of second line assurance intervention and monitoring functions and contribute to the development of an annual plan of work. As a leader within NGED you will display exemplary behaviours, always upholding and demonstrating our core business values, “Do the Right Thing”, “Find a Better Way”, “Make it Happen” and collaborating with colleagues to fulfil NGED’s vision of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future.

As part of our hybrid working approach this role offers a mix of office and home working. Travel is also required throughout the UK. Travel requirements are likely to vary from time to time, but generally not more than a couple of days a week away from your office base. The role can be based from one of our offices/depots within our licenced business areas of East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and Wales.

About Us: We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.

Main Responsibilities:

• Using your substantial experience of health & safety law and safety management systems you will work collaboratively to support the establishment and development of suitable and sufficient second line compliance and assurance systems to ensure that our business is achieving statutory compliance as a minimum with our safety policies and procedures effectively embedded across the business.
• Design and oversee a risk based and targeted programme of assurance interventions based on various business data streams including accident data, compliance risk gaps, and organizational priorities.
• Be responsible for periodic reporting to Senior Leaders on safety compliance and assurance KRIs, and findings arising from the work of the Health & Safety Compliance & Assurance Team.
• Prepare the business for, and oversee wider auditing and inspection initiatives including the annual ISO 45001 reaccreditation.
• Develop your network of key stakeholders to support the implementation of compliance & assurance intervention outcomes.
• Manage and mentor a small team of compliance & assurance advisors, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Occasionally standing in for the Head of Safety Policy, Compliance & Assurance as required.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Excellent depth and breadth of knowledge of Health & Safety Law and experience of its application either as a practitioner or regulator in an energy, utility or other industrial setting.
• Understanding of dynamic risk assessment for hazardous activities and its application in the field.
• Experience of audit/inspection of operational and occupational safety risks, mitigations and controls. In particular an understanding of key risk control areas including work at heights, lifting operations, stored energy systems, electrical safety, transport operations and asset safety.
• An exceptional communicator with the ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, influencing and persuading using a variety of approaches.
• An effective leader showing passion and enthusiasm in your work to inspire and develop a high performing team working towards excellence in the delivery of health & safety compliance and assurance.
• Be or be working towards Chartered Safety Professional (CMIOSH or equivalent) or hold demonstrable relevant experience.
• To be successful in this role must be able/willing to travel across the UK & have experience in the application or auditing of safety management systems.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check.

About The Company: Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. So, as well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:

• 26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays, up to 28 days with continuous service.
• Company vehicle.
• Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%).
• Annual Share Save plan.
• Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family.
• Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services.
• Free on-site parking at all our main sites.

Things you need to know: As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all applications in our recruitment system so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve. Hiring managers only have access to necessary information at interview stage. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk. Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received, so it would be best to apply as soon as you can.