Health and Safety Manager in England

ReQuire are working with a high-growth, privately owned professional services business that is creating its first-ever Health & Safety Manager role. This is a genuinely rare opportunity for a strong Health & Safety Advisor (or similar) who is ready to step into a standalone, managerial position and become the senior H&S lead across a circa 500-person, multi-site organisation. There is no inherited structure, no existing in-house H&S function, and no bureaucracy to fight. You will be given the autonomy and backing to design, implement and own the Health & Safety framework for the business and, over time, to build and grow the function beneath you.

This is not a manufacturing, construction or heavy industry environment so therefore we want a Commercial mindset. Someone who can relate to the people in our client's business. The business operates in a commercial, office-based, professional services setting, with 12–15 offices across the UK. Success in this role is about credibility, pragmatism and communication, not clipboards and box-ticking. You’ll be working closely with senior leaders, office managers and people teams, ensuring Health & Safety is fit-for-purpose, proportionate and aligned to a commercial business.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Design, implement and continuously improve a company-wide Health & Safety framework
• Ensure compliance with all relevant UK H&S legislation across a multi-site office environment
• Take ownership of the relationship with external H&S consultants, bringing capability in-house
• Carry out and coordinate site visits, audits and risk assessments (typically 1–2 per site annually)
• Lead accident, incident and near-miss investigations, with clear reporting and corrective actions
• Develop and embed clear, practical policies and procedures
• Support facilities and office teams with remedial actions and building safety requirements
• Oversee fire safety, emergency procedures and building compliance
• Deliver engaging H&S training and communications to managers and staff
• Act as the primary point of contact with regulators where required
• Produce concise management information for senior leadership and Board reporting
• Play a key role in new acquisitions, ensuring Health & Safety alignment during due diligence and integration
• Champion a modern, proactive and commercially sensible H&S culture

Who this role will suit:

• This role is ideal for someone who is currently a Health & Safety Advisor or similar and ready for their first true step into leadership
• Wants ownership, visibility and the chance to build something from scratch
• Is comfortable operating autonomously and influencing senior stakeholders
• Understands how to apply Health & Safety in a commercial, professional environment
• Enjoys travel and working across multiple sites
• Sees H&S as a business enabler, not a blocker

Background & experience:

• NEBOSH National Diploma (or equivalent)
• IOSH membership (GradIOSH or working towards CMIOSH)
• Experience supporting or managing Health & Safety across multiple sites
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation
• Experience with risk assessments, audits and investigations
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A pragmatic, proportionate approach to Health & Safety
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Experience in professional services, financial services or office-led environments is highly desirable. Candidates from heavily industrial or manufacturing backgrounds are unlikely to be a fit.

Location & flexibility:

• Ideally based in the South West (or within reasonable reach)
• Hybrid working with regular UK travel

Package:

• £50,000 base salary (depending on experience)
• Excellent benefits package
• Significant scope for future progression as the H&S function grows

This is a career-defining role for the right person. If you’re looking to move away from being one of many, and instead become the trusted, senior Health & Safety lead in a growing, commercially minded business, this is a rare and compelling opportunity.

For a confidential discussion, contact Liam McConnell and discuss your application today.