Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor (0256-26) – Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment, that supports our passion for delivering world class education and ground-breaking research.
The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.
About the Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance team
The Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) team provides specialist advice, assurance and support across the University Group, helping to protect our people, environment and operations. The team works collaboratively across a broad portfolio including health and safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability, energy, statutory compliance, occupational wellbeing and organisational resilience.
Our focus is on enabling the University to operate safely, sustainably and effectively, while supporting continual improvement and providing assurance that key risks are appropriately managed.
About the Role
As Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor, you will provide professional advice, support and assurance across the University’s Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) portfolio, helping to ensure that risks are effectively managed and the University continues to meet its legal, regulatory and organisational responsibilities.
Working as part of the wider SHEC team, you will support a varied programme of activity which may include health and safety, environmental management, statutory compliance, contractor management, fire safety, emergency planning, business continuity and wider risk and assurance activities.
Core responsibilities will include undertaking inspections and compliance reviews, supporting risk assessments, investigating incidents, delivering training and awareness activities, reviewing contractor documentation, maintaining appropriate records and performance information, and supporting the development and continual improvement of SHEC management systems.
The role is designed to be flexible and adaptable, enabling you to support different areas of the SHEC portfolio in response to organisational priorities, emerging risks and the future development of the team. This will provide opportunities to develop broader professional knowledge and experience across a complex and diverse University estate.
You will work independently within your areas of responsibility, collaborating with colleagues, managers, contractors and other stakeholders across the University.
The role will involve travel between University sites as required.
Anticipated interview date: Thursday 19th November 2026
About You
The ideal candidate will be a proactive and adaptable SHEC professional with experience working within Health & Safety, Environment, Compliance or a related discipline. You will be confident working independently, managing competing priorities and building effective relationships with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders at all levels.
A NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent qualification, is essential, alongside relevant practical experience within a Health & Safety, Environment or Compliance role. The successful candidate should hold, or be willing to work towards, an appropriate level of professional membership with IOSH.
You will have a good understanding of relevant legislation and risk management principles, with experience of activities such as workplace inspections, risk assessment, incident investigation, training, auditing, contractor management and compliance monitoring. Strong communication, organisational and influencing skills are essential, together with the ability to provide practical and proportionate advice.
Experience within Higher Education, Estates, Facilities Management or another complex multi-site environment would be advantageous, as would additional qualifications or experience in areas such as environmental management, fire safety, construction, auditing, ISO management systems, emergency planning or business continuity.
Above all, we are looking for someone who is collaborative, curious and willing to develop across the wider SHEC portfolio, rather than specialising solely within one area.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Holiday purchase
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Adam Gomes, Head of Group Safety, Health, Environment, Compliance via a.gomes@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Please visit our website for more information.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
Closing Date: 08 Nov 2026
Area: Management, Professional and Specialist
Salary: £39,051 to £46,653 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £53,650.95 per annum)
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