Head of Health, Safety and Business Continuity
Salary £52,968 - £61,405
The Sheffield College is a thriving further and higher education community, empowering around 13,000 learners each year to achieve their goals. Driven by our mission to transform lives through learning, we foster an inclusive environment - recognised through our 2026 Investors in Diversity Gold award and 3rd place ranking in the National Centre for Diversity’s 2025 Top 100 Most Inclusive UK Employers.
Role Purpose:
The Sheffield College is a large, vibrant and diverse further education college and we are proud of how the college contributes to transforming lives through learning by meeting local skills needs.
As Head of Health, Safety and Business Continuity at The Sheffield College, you will be responsible for maintaining, embedding, and continuously improving our health and safety culture across all College sites. You will ensure our staff, students, and stakeholders operate in a safe, compliant environment, while managing robust business continuity plans that keep the College prepared and resilient.
You will act as the College’s competent person for Health and Safety, providing expert advice, assurance and management information to the Executive Director - People and the Executive Leadership Team, ensuring ongoing compliance with all relevant legislation and standards.
Key Objectives:
The current key objectives for the role are:
*Manage the ongoing implementation, communication and review of the College’s Health and Safety and Wellbeing strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders.
*Manage the implementation, communication and review of the College’s Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans to ensure the College’s ability to respond effectively to major incidents.
*Act as the competent person for Health and Safety under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, providing expert advice and management information to the Executive Director - People and the Executive Leadership Team.
*Ensure ongoing compliance with relevant legislation and standards, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, providing timely assurance to the Executive Director - People.
*As a member of the College Senior Leadership Team, work with colleagues to further embed a culture of health and safety throughout the College, engaging all staff and stakeholders.
Main Responsibilities:
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), this post will contribute to the SLT’s common goals.
To achieve these specific duties, include, but are not limited to:
Leadership
*Maintain and develop effective consultation and communication systems for Health and Safety to meet statutory, legislative, and internal policy requirements.
*Act as the College’s competent person for Health and Safety, providing expert guidance and assurance to the Executive Director - People and the wider Leadership Team.
*Review and advise on Health and Safety policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.
*Maintain and continuously improve the Health and Safety Management System to meet legislative requirements.
*Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, and near-miss events, embedding a lessons-learned and preventative culture across the College.
*Maintain and update the Business Risk Register in relation to Health, Safety, Welfare, and Business Continuity.
*Support the implementation of the College’s employee well-being strategy in collaboration with the People team, aligned with the College’s goals.
*Promote and embed wellbeing principles within the College culture, with an emphasis on work-life balance and resilience.
Operations
*Conduct regular audits to ensure Health and Safety compliance and provide recommendations for improvement.
*Support departments in hazard analysis and risk management activities, enhancing organisational safety.
*Advise and support teams on statutory compliance, including Asbestos Management Plans, Legionella Risk Assessments, COSHH records, and statutory planned preventative maintenance (PPM).
*Ensure compliance with accident, incident, and near-miss reporting requirements, supporting effective resolutions.
*Advise on Health, Safety, and Wellbeing aspects of College projects and collaborate with departments on safe operations.
*Provide staff advice, induction, training, and CPD opportunities within the H&S team and across the College.
*Support the safe operation of trips and visits across The Sheffield College.
Reporting
*Manage Health and Safety reporting systems, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of incidents and near misses.
*Prepare and provide H&S and business continuity updates and management information for the Executive Director - People to present at ELT and to the Board of Governors.
*Liaise with regulatory authorities on Health and Safety matters.
*Working with the People team, monitor and evaluate the impact of wellbeing initiatives on metrics such as absenteeism, satisfaction, and productivity.
*Analyse employee well-being and medical support data to identify trends and gaps.
*Lead the Sheffield College Business Continuity Group.
*Manage the Sheffield College Health and Safety Alert system.
Other Duties
*Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments within own areas of responsibility to develop best practice, provide professional advice, and ensure the College complies with relevant legislation and legal duties.
*Collaborate with external organisations and participate in health and safety forums to share best practices and stay updated on industry standards