Interim Health & Safety Manager

Contract: Interim, 2–3 months - inside IR35
Start: Immediate
Sector: Education / Public Sector
Location: Sevenoaks
Hours: Full-time on site

We are currently seeking an experienced Interim Health & Safety Manager to provide immediate support to an organisation operating within the education/public sector.

This is an initial 2–3 month interim assignment, with an immediate start required. The successful candidate will take responsibility for reviewing and strengthening health and safety arrangements, ensuring appropriate compliance with legislation, policies and best practice, and providing practical advice to senior leadership and operational teams.

Experience within an education, school, local authority or wider public-sector environment would be highly beneficial, although candidates with strong transferable Health & Safety experience from other regulated environments will also be considered.

An existing Enhanced DBS check is not essential, but candidates who already hold a valid education-sector DBS check and part of the update service would be particularly advantageous.

• Lead and oversee Health & Safety arrangements across the organisation.

• Review, update and improve Health & Safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

• Provide professional Health & Safety advice to senior management and operational teams.

• Carry out Health & Safety inspections, audits and compliance reviews.

• Identify areas of risk and develop practical improvement plans.

• Review and investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring appropriate follow-up actions are implemented.

• Ensure compliance with current Health & Safety legislation and relevant regulatory requirements.

• Review arrangements for fire safety, emergency procedures, workplace safety and other key areas of compliance.

• Provide advice and support around risk assessments, COSHH, manual handling, contractors and general workplace safety.

• Liaise with external contractors, consultants, regulators and other relevant stakeholders where required.

• Maintain accurate Health & Safety records and documentation.

• Support staff with Health & Safety guidance, training and awareness.

• Work closely with leadership teams to promote a positive Health & Safety culture.

• Identify any immediate compliance gaps or areas requiring remedial action and provide recommendations.

• Ensure safeguarding considerations are appropriately reflected within Health & Safety arrangements where working within an education environment.

We are looking for an experienced Health & Safety professional who can hit the ground running and operate confidently within a busy and potentially complex organisation.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience working in a Health & Safety management or senior advisory role.

• A recognised Health & Safety qualification ideally NEBOSH Diploma

• Strong knowledge of current Health & Safety legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Experience undertaking audits, inspections, risk assessments and compliance reviews.

• Experience developing and implementing Health & Safety policies and improvement plans.

• Strong understanding of incident investigation and accident management.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.

• The ability to provide clear, practical advice to senior leaders and operational teams.

• A proactive and solutions-focused approach.

• The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.

• High levels of professionalism, integrity and confidentiality.