Job Role: Operational Health & Safety Manager
National Role | Multi-Site Operations | Health, Safety & Compliance Leadership
Location: Home-Based with National Travel
Salary: £40,991 – £46,847 per annum
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
 
Role Overview
We are recruiting an experienced and influential Operational Health & Safety Manager to join a national Operating Excellence team within a large, complex, multi-site organisation.
This is a highly visible role, providing expert Health & Safety leadership across operational services, supporting managers and frontline teams to embed a positive safety culture, strengthen compliance and drive continuous improvement.
Reporting directly into the Director of Operating Excellence, you will act as the organisation’s operational Health & Safety subject matter expert, working closely with senior leaders, operational managers and support functions to ensure Health & Safety remains at the forefront of service delivery.
This is not a desk-based compliance role. We are looking for a credible Health & Safety professional who can build relationships, influence operational teams, challenge where necessary and drive meaningful change across a geographically dispersed organisation.
The successful candidate will bring substantial experience within operational Health & Safety, ideally gained within a medium or large multi-site environment, with the ability to balance compliance, practicality and commercial awareness.
 
Key Responsibilities
Operational Health & Safety Leadership

• Act as the operational lead for Health & Safety across designated business areas.
• Ensure consistent application of Health & Safety policies, procedures and controls.
• Support operational leaders to effectively manage risk across service delivery environments.
• Promote a proactive, risk-based approach to Health & Safety management.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Act as a trusted subject matter expert across operational teams.

Coaching, Influencing & Culture Change

• Coach, mentor and support managers in managing Health & Safety responsibilities.
• Develop practical solutions to improve compliance and operational safety.
• Influence behavioural change and embed a positive safety culture.
• Deliver training, awareness sessions and briefing activities where required.
• Support managers to build confidence and competence in Health & Safety management.
• Promote learning, accountability and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure risk assessments are appropriate, reviewed and embedded, including:
• COSHH
• DSE
• Activity-Based Assessments
• Site-Specific Risk Assessments
• Monitor Health & Safety compliance across operational areas.
• Identify risks, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Escalate significant concerns and compliance issues appropriately.
• Support compliance with statutory, contractual and regulatory requirements.

Audit, Inspection & Assurance

• Lead and support Health & Safety audits, inspections and assurance activity.
• Conduct site visits, compliance reviews and operational assessments.
• Evaluate Health & Safety performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Monitor completion of required checks and inspections.
• Ensure records are maintained to an auditable standard.
• Drive improvements following audit findings and assurance reviews.

Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis

• Lead investigations into incidents, accidents and near misses.
• Complete detailed root cause analysis.
• Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively.
• Monitor action plans and completion of recommendations.
• Identify organisational learning opportunities.
• Share lessons learned and good practice across operational teams.

Data, Reporting & Performance Management

• Produce high-quality reports, dashboards and management information.
• Analyse incident data, trends and operational performance.
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior leaders.
• Monitor key performance indicators and compliance measures.
• Support data-driven decision making across the organisation.

Facilities, Fire & Contractor Management

• Work closely with operational and facilities teams to ensure safe working environments.
• Support compliance relating to:
• Fire Safety
• Emergency Planning
• Contractor Management
• First Aid
• Statutory Inspections
• Workplace Compliance
• Promote safe, compliant and fit-for-purpose environments across the organisation.

Business Continuity & Emergency Preparedness

• Support business continuity planning and resilience activities.
• Assist operational teams in emergency planning and preparedness.
• Contribute to organisational resilience and contingency planning arrangements.

 
Essential Criteria

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent recognised Health & Safety qualification).
• Significant experience within an operational Health & Safety role.
• Demonstrable experience working within a large or medium-sized multi-site organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and best practice.
• Experience conducting:
• Audits
• Inspections
• Compliance Reviews
• Incident Investigations
• Root Cause Analysis
• Experience managing corrective action plans and compliance improvements.
• Experience influencing senior leaders, operational managers and frontline teams.
• Strong report writing, presentation and analytical skills.
• Experience delivering coaching, guidance or Health & Safety training.
• Ability to interpret and analyse performance data and trends.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams.
• Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel extensively.

 
Desirable Criteria

• IOSH Membership (or working towards).
• Experience engaging with regulatory bodies and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of:
• Fire Safety
• Contractor Management
• Business Continuity
• Facilities Compliance
• Experience within employability, public service, education, social impact or community-based sectors.
• Experience using SharePoint and compliance management systems.

 
Personal Attributes

• Credible and influential Health & Safety professional.
• Strong relationship-builder with excellent people skills.
• Confident challenging behaviours and driving accountability.
• Practical and solutions-focused.
• Able to engage operational teams and secure buy-in.
• Resilient, adaptable and highly organised.
• Passionate about creating safe working environments.
• Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

 
Additional Information

• Home-based role with national responsibility.
• Regular travel required across operational sites throughout the UK.
• Occasional overnight stays may be required.
• Enhanced DBS checks may be required depending on service locations.
• Opportunity to shape Health & Safety strategy and culture across a large national organisation.

 
 
 
Recruitment Process
The selection process will include:

• Competency-based panel interview.
• A 10-minute presentation outlining your proposed:
• First 30 days
• First 60 days
• First 90 days

The presentation should demonstrate how you would assess current Health & Safety performance, engage stakeholders, establish priorities and drive continuous improvement across a complex, multi-site organisation.
 
How to Apply
For more information or to apply for the Operational Health & Safety Manager role, please contact:
Robert Rowe 07935 141342 rrowe@trigonrecruitment.co.uk