Health & Safety Manager

GC147:  Health & Safety Manager

Location:  Hybrid – North West with site visits

Salary:  Day rate.

Overview:

The role provides specialist subject matter expertise in life safety systems across a complex, high‑risk, regulated environment, with accountability for governance, assurance, and compliance. This includes critical systems such as fire detection, suppression, emergency lighting, and confined space safety systems.

Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all life safety systems across the sites and wider science estate Lead governance, assurance, and compliance for life safety systems in line with statutory, regulatory, and Defra standards Take ownership of life safety systems including: Fire detection and alarm systems Fire suppression (e.g. gas, sprinklers) Emergency and escape lighting Smoke control and pressurisation systems Confined space safety systems (e.g. oxygen depletion, man‑trapped alarms) Emergency egress and protected building infrastructure Ensure all systems are maintained, validated, and fit for purpose prior to operational use Develop, implement, and maintain technical standards, policies, and procedures for life safety systems Undertake technical assurance and compliance audits and ensure risks are identified, recorded, and mitigated Lead and support incident investigations, producing technical reports and recommendations Act as Intelligent Client Function (ICF), providing technical oversight of FM service provider performance Review and authorise design proposals, changes, and new installations to ensure compliance and best practice Support capital programmes through design reviews, FAT/SAT attendance, and project assurance Ensure accurate asset information and documentation is maintained and accessible Develop and deliver training and competency frameworks for engineers, contractors, and end users Monitor system performance and drive continuous improvement, reliability, and resilience Manage stakeholders across APHA, project teams, and service providers to ensure effective coordination and delivery Support financial and operational planning, including prioritisation of works and lifecycle management.

Substantial experience working in a high risk environment as a safety professional and with life safety systems Experience in using varied and complex IT systems to manage both people and properties, including Contractor/supplier digital platforms Experience in managing the full lifecycle of life safety systems, including maintenance and delivering or supporting projects for life safety systems including their specification, installation and commissioning Experience working with safe systems of work and developing and reviewing risk assessments and method statements for work with decontamination (engineering)systems Experience in influencing and building strong partnerships with customers to maintain a positive reputation Experience in contractor management to ensure safe working practices on site A thorough understanding of life safety systems and their application in the built environment Lead investigator skills and methods for undertaking engineering analysis.

Good verbal and written communication skills at all levels of management The ability to build good relationships with our key customers providing excellent customer service skills Be competent in carrying out technical compliance checks and audits – and be able to provide technical guidance to the team Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, construction, safety or related field Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status or working towards Certified Safety Professional Memberships Member of an appropriate professional safety or engineering institute such as IOSH or IET
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed