Main Plenum Replacement Programme (MPR) Health and Safety Manager in Woking

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances, UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Health and Safety Manager to join the Main Plenum Replacement Programme (MPR), a major infrastructure and engineering programme within UKHSA. Reporting directly to the Head of the Main Plenum Replacement Programme, you will play a critical role in driving health, safety and compliance excellence across the programme. You will be responsible for implementing and enforcing UKHSA health and safety policies, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, and fostering a strong safety culture across project teams, contractors and stakeholders.

Working closely with colleagues across Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF), as well as corporate, scientific and technical teams, you will ensure a consistent and integrated approach to health and safety management throughout the programme lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion health and safety best practice across the programme, ensuring compliance with UKHSA policies, engineering procedures and statutory requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with corporate, scientific, technical and operational teams to promote high safety standards.
• Lead and manage the programme’s health and safety audit schedule, ensuring timely resolution of findings, non-conformances and corrective actions.
• Review, monitor and audit contractors and subcontractors health and safety arrangements to ensure alignment with UKHSA and engineering standards.
• Oversee the implementation and compliance of safe systems of work across all programme activities.
• Ensure personnel have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and are equipped to work safely.
• Maintain the programme risk register, identifying, assessing and escalating significant risks to programme leadership.
• Support health and safety training and competency development across the Capital Projects Team.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Head of Programme and wider EEF leadership on health and safety matters.
• Analyse accident, incident and near-miss data, identifying trends and recommending preventative and corrective measures.
• Contribute to programme reporting, including health and safety performance metrics and management information.
• Ensure the programme remains audit-ready and capable of demonstrating compliance to internal and external stakeholders.

About You

You will be a knowledgeable and influential health and safety professional with substantial experience operating in complex engineering, construction or infrastructure environments. You will have the credibility and confidence to engage stakeholders at all levels, challenge unsafe practices and drive continuous improvement.

Essential Criteria

• NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience in a senior health and safety management role.
• Strong understanding of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM).
• Knowledge of the Control of Asbestos Regulations and associated compliance requirements.
• Experience of risk management principles, methodologies and tools.
• Proven ability to develop and implement health and safety management plans, procedures and processes.
• Working knowledge of ISO 45001 and relevant UK health and safety legislation.
• Strong auditing, inspection and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands and take a risk-based approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all organisational levels.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to anticipate emerging risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and building positive working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within the public sector or a similarly regulated environment.
• Understanding of engineering systems, maintenance activities and major infrastructure installations.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong focus on compliance and governance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with auditors, contractors, regulators and external assurance bodies.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in one of UKHSA’s significant infrastructure programmes, helping to create and maintain a safe, compliant and high-performing environment that supports critical public health work. You will work alongside experienced professionals, influence strategic decisions and contribute to the successful delivery of an important national programme.

We also offer:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%