Health & Safety Compliance Officer in Gravesend

Department: Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Reporting to: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager

Grade: 7

Salary: £47,001

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week (for operational roles: this role is shift based, working an average of 35 hours per week – rosters will be available to the successful candidate)

Base: Gravesend

Closing date: 1st May 2026

Interview date: 13th May 2026 (Teams), 20th May 2026 (Face to Face)

Who we are: We are the UK’s biggest port, central to the country’s economy and ambitions for growth. We connect the UK to the world, but we are much more than a conventional port. We are driven by our purpose to protect and improve the 95 mile stretch of the River Thames which is tidal – from Teddington Lock on the border of Surrey, through the heart of London, Kent, Essex and out to the North Sea.

The role: The Health & Safety Compliance Officer leads and coordinates the organisation’s health and safety compliance framework, ensuring compliance with ISO 45001, statutory health and safety obligations, and internal policies and procedures. The role provides oversight and assurance across key risk areas—including fire safety, asbestos management and legionella control—and leads the development, implementation and evaluation of audit and inspection programmes to verify organisational compliance. The postholder maintains the HS&W legal register, monitors organisational compliance with policies and procedures and represents the Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HS&W) function during internal and external assurance activity, influencing managers and operational teams to achieve and sustain compliance. The role provides independent compliance assurance to the organisation by identifying systemic risks, monitoring corrective actions and reporting compliance performance through HS&W governance structures.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the monitoring, maintenance and continual improvement of the ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System, ensuring effective implementation across all operational areas.
• Plan and deliver internal audits and gap analyses, working with teams to implement and track corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate and support certification and surveillance audits, providing assurance of ongoing compliance.
• Monitor compliance with statutory requirements and internal controls relating to fire safety, asbestos management, legionella control, and other key health and safety risks.
• Support managers and responsible persons to ensure risk assessments are suitable, sufficient, and regularly reviewed.
• Escalate emerging risks, non-conformities, and compliance issues through appropriate governance channels.
• Develop and deliver the organisation’s health, safety and wellbeing audit and inspection programme.
• Conduct inspections across operational areas, reporting findings clearly and constructively.
• Track and verify the completion of corrective actions, providing independent assurance on compliance.
• Monitor adherence to health and safety policies, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Identify gaps in compliance and support teams to implement improvements.
• Contribute to the review and update of policies and procedures to reflect current legislation and best practice.
• Maintain and update the organisation’s health and safety legal register, ensuring alignment with current legislation and sector requirements.
• Communicate relevant legal and regulatory changes to stakeholders and support implementation.
• Represent the health and safety function during internal and external audits.
• Liaise with auditors, regulators, and external bodies, supporting the coordination of audit evidence and responses.
• Communicate audit outcomes and assurance updates through governance and reporting structures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role.

What we are looking for:

Essential:

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent Level 3/4 health and safety qualification).
• Experience working in a compliance, audit or assurance-focused health, safety and wellbeing role.
• Strong understanding of health and safety management systems, ideally aligned to ISO 45001.
• Ability to influence, support and challenge managers and operational teams to improve compliance and embed effective risk management.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and work collaboratively across teams.
• Willingness to work towards an ISO 45001 Internal Auditor qualification (if not already held).

Desirable:

• Experience managing risks in areas such as fire safety, asbestos and legionella (training can be provided).
• Additional or specialist health and safety qualifications (e.g. fire safety, construction, legionella or asbestos).
• Membership of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

In return, we offer a competitive benefits package:

• 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays)
• Medical Cash Plan (Westfield Health)
• Generous pension - up to 14% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme (Tusker Cars)
• Reward and recognition portal, with access to a range of discounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Danielle Spencer, Health, Safety and Wellbeing at Danielle.spencer@pla.co.uk.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.