GatenbySanderson is working with a large, complex London local authority seeking an experienced Interim Head of Health & Safety to provide strategic leadership across its corporate health, safety and wellbeing agenda.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a health and safety professional with experience operating at scale, capable of balancing strategic oversight with operational delivery across a diverse service portfolio.

Contract Length:

6 months

Description

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will lead the organisation's corporate health, safety and wellbeing framework, ensuring robust governance, statutory compliance and a strong culture of accountability across the authority.

You will provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members, helping shape organisational priorities whilst driving continuous improvement in health and safety performance.

The successful candidate will inherit an established function and be expected to provide visible leadership, challenge and support to stakeholders across the organisation during a period of continued organisational focus on risk, wellbeing and compliance.

• Provide strategic leadership for the council's health, safety and wellbeing agenda.
• Lead and develop the Corporate Health & Safety Team, ensuring the provision of high-quality advice, guidance, training and assurance.
• Review, develop and implement health and safety policies, standards and management systems.
• Advise senior leaders on statutory obligations, regulatory compliance and organisational risk.
• Develop corporate health and safety objectives, performance measures and action plans.
• Produce and present health and safety performance reports, metrics and annual plans.
• Drive a positive safety culture across all services and directorates.
• Work closely with HR, operational managers, directorate safety leads and trade union representatives.
• Ensure the organisation is prepared for external scrutiny, inspections and audits.
• Lead on the investigation and management of significant incidents and organisational learning.

Description

We are seeking an accomplished health and safety leader who can quickly establish credibility with senior stakeholders and bring demonstrable experience of delivering health and safety improvements within complex, multi-service organisations.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience within health and safety management.
• A strong understanding of health and safety legislation, governance and best practice.
• Experience of operating within complex public sector environments, ideally local government or other large public bodies.
• A track record of developing organisational safety cultures and driving compliance improvements.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience advising executive leaders and corporate management teams.
• The ability to work at pace, providing both strategic leadership and practical solutions.

Qualifications

Applications are welcomed from candidates holding relevant professional health and safety qualifications, such as:

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
• Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Contacts
Sally Wilson: 07384 117 080
How to apply

Please contact Sally Wilson on sally.wilson@gatenbysanderson.com for further information