The University of Sheffield
Health & Safety Manager

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
The Health and Safety Manager leads the development, implementation and continuous improvement of health and safety arrangements across Estates and Facilities Management (EFM), supporting compliance with relevant legislation, university policies and recognised good practice.
The role provides strategic leadership, governance, assurance and specialist health and safety support across a diverse range of activities, including engineering and maintenance, facilities operations, transport and logistics, security services, contractor management, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) and capital projects. Working closely with senior managers, operational teams, Departmental Health and Safety Officers (DHSOs) and the University Health and Safety Department, the postholder supports the effective management of operational and strategic health and safety risks across the university estate.
The postholder is responsible for developing and monitoring health and safety improvement programmes, coordinating audit and assurance activities, providing specialist advice and guidance, and supporting the delivery of EFM health and safety objectives. The role also leads the development of health and safety capability across EFM and promotes a positive health and safety culture through effective engagement, communication and continuous improvement.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of health and safety arrangements across Estates and Facilities Management (EFM).
- Provide strategic health and safety leadership, advice and guidance to senior managers, managers and operational teams across EFM.
- Develop, implement and monitor health and safety objectives, improvement programmes and action plans to support continuous improvement and compliance.
- Lead and coordinate health and safety governance arrangements across EFM, including the EFM Health and Safety Committee, health and safety forums, working groups and reporting processes.
- Act as the lead adviser to the EFM Health and Safety Committee and provide health and safety performance reports, assurance updates and recommendations to senior leadership teams, KRRGs and other university governance groups as required.
- Lead internal audit, inspection and assurance programmes, including HASMAP audits, and oversee the implementation of actions arising from audits, inspections, incidents and reviews.
- Lead the investigation of significant accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses, ensuring appropriate root cause analysis, organisational learning and implementation of corrective actions.
- Provide specialist advice and support in relation to health and safety legislation, contractor management, construction safety, CDM, risk management, incident investigation and statutory compliance.
- Provide strategic oversight of contractor management, construction (Design and management) (CDM) arrangements and construction health and safety assurance activities across EFM operations and capital projects, including supporting the development, implementation and monitoring of contractor management standards, assurance processes and control measures.
- Work closely with the University Health and Safety Department to support the development, implementation and review of University Health and Safety policies, standards, guidance and assurance arrangements.
- Monitor health and safety performance and provide reports, analysis and recommendations to support decision-making, risk management and continuous improvement.
- Develop and deliver health and safety training, guidance and awareness programmes and support the development of internal health and safety capability across EFM.
- Manage, support and develop health and safety staff and provide professional support and guidance to departmental health and safety officers (DHSOs).
- Provide specialist health and safety advice and support to managers during investigations, disciplinary, capability and formal management processes where health and safety considerations are relevant.
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and represent EFM on university committees, forums and working groups as required.
- Promote a positive health and safety culture through engagement, communication and visible leadership.
- Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of relevant management systems, standards and accreditation requirements.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
- Have a good honours degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant discipline together with an accredited Health and Safety qualification (NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent) and significant experience with a proven track record in Health and Safety management.
Essential
Application/interview
- Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent professional membership, or willing to work towards.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of providing strategic Health and Safety leadership within a large and complex organisation.
Essential
Application/interview
- Extensive knowledge and practical application of UK Health and Safety legislation and recognised good practice.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of developing, implementing and monitoring Health and Safety management systems, improvement programmes and governance arrangements.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of undertaking audits, inspections, assurance activities and monitoring performance against health and safety objectives.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of providing professional advice, support and challenge to senior managers and stakeholders on health and safety matters.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of contractor management, construction (design and management) regulations (CDM), construction safety and risk management within a complex operational environment.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of leading accident and incident investigations, identifying root causes and implementing improvement actions.
Essential
Application/interview


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
- Experience of developing and delivering Health and Safety training, guidance and awareness programmes.
Essential
Application/interview
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship management skills, including the ability to analyse information, prepare reports and performance data, and communicate effectively with senior managers and stakeholders.
Essential
Application/interview
- Experience of using digital systems and standard business applications to manage, analyse and report Health and Safety information.
Essential
Application/interview
- Auditor and/or training qualification.
Desirable
Application/interview
- Experience of working within Estates, Facilities Management, Engineering, Construction or a similarly complex operational environment.
Desirable
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
G8
Salary
£48,822 - £58,225 (per annum with potential to progress to £65,509 per annum through sustained contribution)
Work arrangement
Full Time
Duration
Line manager
Associate Director of EFM, Engineering & Maintenance
Direct reports
Health & Safety Officers
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Robert Sweeney, Associate Director of EFM, Engineering & Maintenance: on r.a.sweeneysheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of a face to face interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within 2 weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact admin-engmain@sheffield.ac.uk
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills