Health and safety Systems and Project Manager

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Health, Safety and Technical Training Team. The Health and Safety Systems and Project Manager will take a lead role in shaping, guiding and embedding H&S software, systems and processes across the DEFRA funded Biodiversity Programme.

The Health, Safety and Technical Training (HSTT) team has a focus on managing risks to our staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. Ensuring competence at all levels including operator, management and leadership skills. HSTT work closely with function heads, team leaders and staff groups to evaluate compliance, health and safety priorities and training needs across the organisation.

Please see the job description for more information and details about what we need from you.

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Health & Safety Management Systems

• Act as the business owner for Health & Safety management systems and associated platforms.
• Lead the implementation, configuration and ongoing development of H&S systems.
• Ensure systems support legal compliance, reporting requirements and business objectives.
• Develop and maintain governance, processes and system documentation.
• Manage user access, system controls and data integrity.
• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage relationships with system suppliers and external providers.
• Lead contract reviews, renewals and procurement activities.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed service levels and KPIs.
• Coordinate system upgrades, enhancements and change requests.
• Ensure suppliers meet contractual, security and compliance requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Procurement, IT and operational stakeholders.

Project & Change Management

• Lead H&S system implementation and improvement projects from inception through to delivery.
• Develop project plans, timelines and stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate testing, training and business readiness activities.
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies throughout project lifecycles.

Data, Reporting & Assurance

• Produce and analyse H&S performance data and management reports.
• Develop dashboards and metrics to support decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of H&S information.
• Support audits and compliance reviews relating to systems and processes.

Health & Safety Support

• Contribute to wider Health & Safety projects and improvement initiatives.
• Support policy, procedure and governance development where required.
• Work closely with H&S teams and operational managers to deliver business objectives.
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement across the organisation.

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

As the post involves dealing with contacts across the UK, regular travel with overnight stays away from home is

requirement of the post.

The duties of this post require the applicant to have a full current driving license that enables them to drive in the UK.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

How to apply…

We cannot accept applications via email. Please follow the steps outlined below. Any CVs and/or personal statements sent outside the system will not be considered for shortlisting.

You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.

The selection process may include additional assessment and/or interview stages. Candidates will be informed of the assessment format and arrangements during the recruitment process.

The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Working together
• Managing a Quality Service

You may also be assessed on Experience, Strength based questions, and/or the Technical Success Profile at the interview. The technical element could include a presentation, practical or written task.

If candidates pass the interview but are not the leading candidate, they can be placed on a reserve list. We may offer candidates on the reserve list for this role the opportunity to be considered for other roles at the same or lower pay bands.

Internal: Please note that if you are an internal candidate on a permanent contract and you apply for a Fixed Term Appointment of three years or more, your substantive role will not be held open. You will retain your permanent status. At the end of the FTA, HR and your new Cost Centre Manager will attempt to find you a suitable alternative post in line with the Redeployment policy. If no suitable alternative post can be found, you will be managed under Redundancy policy.

If you move to a post in a higher pay band through fair and open competition for a period of less than three years, then you will be considered to be on a period of ‘temporary promotion’, if three years or more then you will be considered to be permanently promoted.

Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk.

If you're planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you've read our guidelines here first.

Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.