Head of Health and Safety (1995)

Do you want to create a better world for animals? At the RSPCA, we believe all animals deserve kindness and respect. We work for the benefit of every animal. Choose a career with us and make a difference for every kind.  

We are looking for a new Head of Health & Safety to join us on a full time, permanent basis. 

Working hours: 35 hours / Mon - Friday

Home-based but regular travel will be required to our Hubs / Centres for team collaboration. 

Direct Reports: 1 

Are you ready to join our movement?

As our Head of Health & Safety you will be in a key role within our leadership team leading the H&S team of five in the development and delivery of our Society's health and safety program. This leadership role is key to ensuring a robust framework that protects employees, reduces workplace risks, and maintains a safe and compliant working environment.

Working with management colleagues, the successful candidate will ensure that all relevant health and safety regulations are adhered to whilst fostering a culture of safety across the organisation. You will provide professional guidance and support to management teams, staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring health and safety practices are consistently implemented and maintained in a business partnering approach with the health & safety team. You will work closely with front line operational managers, veterinary teams, the environmental, fleet and estates teams alongside fellow colleagues in human resources. 

You will collaborate with external organisations, enforcement agencies, and a diverse range of stakeholders. Strong influencing skills are essential to build effective relationships, navigate complex situations, and drive positive outcomes. Additionally, excellent management abilities are crucial to ensure an effective H&S team and successful coordination and engagement at all levels.

For a full insight to what the role entails, please see attached the job description.

• Chartered IOSH member or Certified and working towards Chartered IOSH member or equivalent as essential.
• A minimum of five years experience and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all aspects of health, safety and risk management, current health and safety legislation, management and standards.
• Experience in completing health and safety management audits against the principles of ISO 45001 and implementing action plans to meet audit findings 
• Recent proven experience of working in a health and safety role at a similar level in an organisation with multifaceted H&S risks.
• Proven experience in promoting a good safety culture within an organisation 
• Experience in training and mentoring to develop health and safety knowledge and expertise.
• Proven Project Management experience. 
• Line Management experience including providing positive support, advice, and encouragement in colleagues' development and improving performance.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK - We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA

(1st Stage Interviews set to take place from 3rd Feb 2025 virtually via Google Meet.)

(2nd Stage Interviews set to take place from 10th Feb and before end of February)

Due to high interest in some of our roles, we review applications as they are received. This can occasionally result in positions closing earlier than advertised. Therefore, we strongly recommend submitting applications early. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the posted closing date.

We want to ensure we do all we can to give you a positive candidate experience through our recruitment. Whilst we do try to give feedback where we can, sometimes due to receiving high levels of applications, this may not always be possible

We are building the future of a diverse Society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed  to our mission.  For this reason we actively encourage a wide diversity of applications - in particular from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities - as these candidates are currently under-represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills & lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our RSPCA Family! 

Should you need any support with your application or interview process please contact resourcingteam@rspca.org.uk / 0300 123 0685.

Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect