Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Overview

As Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, you will steer Islington’s strategy to keep colleagues safe, well and performing at their best. You will act as the council’s competent person under health and safety regulations, leading an advisory team and ensuring governance and statutory duties are met. The role integrates wellbeing as a workforce priority, using data to identify risks and strengthen prevention. You will oversee occupational health contracts and shape practice through collaboration with partners, unions and Public Health.

Pay / Benefits

• Up to 31 days leave per year (rising to 36)
• Flexible working arrangements
• 35-hour working week
• London Living Wage commitment
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic, governance and assurance approach to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Act as the competent person under relevant health and safety regulations and advise senior leaders.
• Direct a skilled advisory team and translate complex requirements into practical actions.
• Use data and insight to identify risks early and target wellbeing and safety interventions.
• Oversee occupational health and counselling contracts and manage external partnerships (e.g., YPO).
• Collaborate with services, Public Health, trade unions and partners to foster a safe, inclusive workplace.

Key requirements

• Experienced, professionally qualified health and safety leader with strong knowledge of safety law, wellbeing practice and safety management systems.
• Ability to advise senior leaders and translate complex requirements into practical action.
• Experience in leading advisory teams and managing governance and assurance responsibilities.

• Collaborative mindset
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Safety law and regulatory compliance
• Wellbeing practice and safety management systems
• Data-driven risk assessment and insight utilization

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