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- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Occupational Health Service for over 11,000 staff.
- Company: Join West Yorkshire Police, a values-driven organisation focused on community safety.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on staff wellbeing and shape the future of Occupational Health.
- Qualifications: Registered nurse or allied health professional with senior leadership experience.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that prioritises innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.
Contract: Full time, permanent position
Are you an experienced clinical leader ready to shape the future of Occupational Health within a large, values driven organisation? West Yorkshire Police is seeking a dynamic and forward thinking Head of Occupational Health to spearhead the development and delivery of a high performing Occupational Health Service. This is a rare opportunity to take strategic ownership of a service supporting more than 11,000 officers, staff and volunteers, driving wellbeing, performance and organisational resilience across the Force.
Why Join the People Directorate/OH Team?
Joining West Yorkshire Police's Occupational Health team means becoming part of a service where your expertise genuinely shapes the future of how we support our people. You will join a unit that is evolving, with the opportunity to influence new pathways, strengthen clinical practice, and help build a modern, clinically led model that puts staff wellbeing at the centre of the organisation. Here, your voice matters: you will contribute to redesigning processes, improving access to care, and developing a more proactive, partnership driven approach to health and wellbeing.
With growing organisational support, clear strategic priorities, and a commitment to embedding Occupational Health within the wider People Directorate, this is a place where you can guide meaningful change, support colleagues through physical and psychological challenges, and help shape a resilient, compassionate and forward looking OH service. If you want to make a real difference and be part of a team that is redefining what great occupational health is.
About West Yorkshire Police
As the 4th largest force in England and Wales, we serve 2.2 million people across Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Our Purpose: Reduce crime, protect the vulnerable, reassure the public.
Our Vision: A safe, just and inclusive service for all.
Our Values: Fairness, Integrity, Respect.
We focus on:
- Caring for victims
- Investigating and solving crime
- Preventing harm
- Responding to emergencies
- Pursuing suspects
We invest in:
- Our people
- Digital and data capability
- Partnerships
- Innovation and continuous improvement
About the Role
You will join a leadership team that genuinely prioritises wellbeing and supports innovative, evidence based practice. This is a highly influential role with visibility across the entire organisation and strong links to the senior leadership team.
As the Head of Occupational Health, you will:
- Lead, manage and continuously develop an effective Occupational Health Service aligned to Force strategic objectives
- Model the Police Code of Ethics and champion Diversity, Equality and Inclusion across all Occupational Health activity
- Design and implement a proactive, cost effective OH strategy that meets legislative, organisational and clinical requirements
- Oversee performance, attendance and wellbeing frameworks for officers and staff
- Manage a multidisciplinary OH team including Senior OH Nurse Advisors, the Force Medical Advisor, psychological assessment teams, clinic staff and administrative colleagues
- Develop processes ensuring officers and staff are seen by the right OH professional at the right time
- Lead on clinical governance, quality standards and compliance with frameworks such as SEQOHS
- Drive continuous improvement through data insight, audits, performance monitoring and value for money analysis
- Act as a specialist advisor on Force policies impacting health and wellbeing
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver a high quality, compliant and responsive OH service
- Lead and inspire a multi disciplinary team
- Ensure compliance with legislation, professional standards and police specific regulations
- Build strong relationships with senior leaders, managers and staff associations
- Implement clinical protocols, governance frameworks and audit processes
- Ensure effective triage, referral management and clinical decision making pathways
- Oversee the OH budget and ensure efficient use of resources
- Promote equality, inclusion and ethical behaviours throughout all OH activity
- Represent OH in strategic discussions and policy development
- Improve service delivery through innovation, data insight and continuous evaluation
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Registered nurse or allied health professional with a specialist OH qualification (e.g., SCPHN)
- Significant experience in senior Occupational Health leadership roles
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams
- Experience designing and implementing OH strategy, policies and processes
- Strong knowledge of legislation, health surveillance and clinical governance
- Budget management experience
- High level IT skills including data reporting and analysis
- Ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders and manage competing priorities
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across West Yorkshire
Benefits/What We Offer
West Yorkshire Police staff can access a wide range of benefits designed to support workâlife balance, wellbeing, development and financial security. These include:
- Generous annual leave allowance - 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays)
- Flexible working options, including agile working arrangements to help you manage your professional and personal commitments
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE (Career Average Revalued Earnings) pension scheme
- Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card
- Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes
- Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children's Charity (eligibility-dependent)
- Opportunities for career development and training
- Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family-friendly provisions
- A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities
- Option to sign up to our Cycle to work scheme (eligibility-dependent)
- Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs
- A comprehensive training package including our standard welcome induction, core leadership development, and access to specialist external courses as the role grows
Ready to Make Your Move?
If you are an innovative clinical leader with the passion, expertise and resilience to drive an Occupational Health Service forward, we want to hear from you. Help shape a modern, high performing OH function at the heart of one of the UK's largest police forces.
For further information, please contact Chief Inspector Peter Hall at Peter.hall@westyorkshire.police.uk
Head of Occupational Health - People Directorate in Leeds employer: West Yorkshire Police
Contact Detail:
West Yorkshire Police Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Head of Occupational Health - People Directorate in Leeds
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the Occupational Health field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and donât be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and recent developments. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show that youâre genuinely interested in being part of their team.
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Occupational Health. Highlight your leadership skills and how you can contribute to shaping a high-performing service. Keep it concise and impactful!
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Letâs make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Occupational Health - People Directorate in Leeds
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in Occupational Health. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so donât hold back on showcasing your leadership and clinical expertise!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for improving staff wellbeing shine through in your application. Weâre looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference, so share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you in this field.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly see why youâre the right fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to submit your application through our official website! Itâs the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Yorkshire Police
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure youâre well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Head of Occupational Health role. Brush up on your knowledge of clinical governance, compliance frameworks, and the specific needs of a police force. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that youâre ready to lead.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Think about challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This is your chance to highlight your ability to inspire and manage a team effectively, which is crucial for this role.
â¨Align with Their Values
West Yorkshire Police values fairness, integrity, and respect. Be ready to discuss how these values resonate with you and how youâve embodied them in your previous roles. This will show that youâre not just a fit for the job, but also for their culture.
â¨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the future direction of the Occupational Health service and how it aligns with the overall strategic objectives of the Force. This shows your genuine interest in the role and your proactive approach to shaping the service.