Health and Safety and Estates Manager Maternity cover

Bedford, Bedfordshire
REED Talent Solutions
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, oversee, and continuously improve the Health & Safety Management System (H&S MS) to ensure compliance with UK regulations.
• Establish and maintain the governance framework for health and safety reporting to People & Culture SLT, Executive Committee, and Audit Risk and Assurance Committee.
• Lead the creation and execution of the health and safety strategy aligned with organisational goals.
• Review existing policies, identify gaps, and lead the development of updated health and safety policies and procedures.
• Drive the design and implementation of risk assessment programs, ensuring comprehensive coverage and effectiveness.
• Establish and oversee mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of health and safety performance.
• Review incident reports, near misses, and risk assessments to inform continuous improvement.
• Chair the Health & Safety Committee, ensuring active participation and accountability among diverse stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and shared responsibility across the organisation, including development and implementation of a communication strategy.
• Approve and oversee the development of organisation-wide health and safety training programs in liaison with the Learning and Development team.
• Ensure training effectiveness and that 100% of staff are trained in health and safety procedures.
• Allocate resources effectively to support health and safety initiatives, including training, systems, and risk assessments.
• Manage the lease and MOTO arrangements with the respective estate landlords to ensure terms and conditions are upheld and safe occupation of the workspaces
• To effectively manage the function’s corporate contracts and internal service agreements, driving efficiencies and value through successful supplier management
• Manage the function’s annual budget, inclusive of budget setting, monthly forecasting and reporting, and management of payments to suppliers in line with internal governance
• To coordinate and manage the delivery of an effective colleague-focused facilities management (FM) function for the organisation
• To deliver excellent customer service and engagement to a range of colleagues, suppliers and customers
• The role requires working at Bedford Borough Hall 2 days a week to help support the running of the day-to-day office with occasional travel to Caxton House as and when required.
• Manage relations with the landlord’s Facilities Management teams, or equivalent, to ensure their compliance with the agreed lease arrangements and issues are proactively resolved
• To procure and manage all contracts and supplier relations regarding health and safety, estates, and facilities management needs, in line with MaPS commercial governance
• Responsible for all building related matters (both directly and indirectly via third party suppliers) including space planning, facilities assets, utilities and property access (including staff, visitors, mail and goods delivery)
• Inducting contractors into Safe Systems of Work by ensuring they comply with MaPS H&S policies and other legislative matters and in return providing them with H&S information relevant to their works
• Ensure that the organisation’s workspaces meet statutory H&S requirements by effectively managing all associated risks issues and mitigating actions
• Responsible for strategic planning to upgrade and maintain workplace facilities, including a comprehensive audit of current conditions, programme of inspections and adherence to preventative and reactive maintenance programmes
• Line management and development of two direct line reports who are responsible for the delivery of health and safety and facilities operations

You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience;

• Extensive knowledge of UK health and safety regulations (e.g., HSE requirements, ISO 45001).
• Proven experience in developing and implementing Health & Safety Management Systems in complex organisational environments.
• Strong leadership skills with experience leading cross-functional teams and committees.
• Track record of managing health and safety compliance, audits, and incident investigations.
• Experience in risk assessment and hazard management across diverse operational settings.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills to influence senior management and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic plans and translate them into operational activities.
• Relevant professional qualification (e.g., NEBOSH Diploma, equivalent).
• Competent use of all standard MS Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of delivering a customer focused service
• Strong organisational, time management and planning skills
• Previous experience of delivering facilities and/or office management systems
• Experience in providing meeting room IT, AV equipment, printing and other related office-based technologies.

About Us:The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• CaringWe care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• ConnectingWe will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• TransformingWe are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Our Inclusive