Health & Safety Manager (DSO)

Divisional Safety Officer | Oxford (site based) | -55-65K + generous pension + 30 days holiday + bank holidays + season ticket loan + benefits

Our client is a globally recognised academic and research institution with an outstanding reputation for innovation, scientific discovery and world-class teaching. Operating across multiple specialist facilities and laboratories, supporting cutting-edge research in engineering, technology and applied sciences, working at the forefront of developments that have real-world impact.

The organisation is committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive and safety-led culture where research and innovation can thrive. This role sits within a large and highly complex engineering environment supporting a diverse community of academics, researchers, technical specialists and professional services teams.

The role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced health and safety professional to lead safety operations within a large-scale engineering and laboratory-based environment. The successful candidate will play a strategic and operational role in shaping and embedding a proactive safety culture across multiple sites and disciplines.

You will lead a small, dedicated safety team, providing expert guidance across a broad range of specialist risk areas, and ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice standards. You will also contribute to wider divisional safety initiatives, policy development and continuous improvement programmes.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and implementation of safety strategy and policy
• Managing departmental risk registers, audits and compliance programmes
• Supporting laboratory and workshop safety across varied technical disciplines
• Conducting incident investigations and ensuring corrective actions are implemented
• Advising on risk assessments, specialist safety matters and regulatory compliance
• Delivering safety training, inductions and awareness initiatives
• Supporting infrastructure projects, laboratory commissioning and contractor management
• Leading and developing a high-performing safety team and wider specialist network

Technical skills

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of health & safety legislation and compliance frameworks
• Experience within laboratory, research, engineering or industrial environments
• Expertise in areas such as PUWER, DSEAR, fire safety, cryogenics, pressure systems or mechanical safety
• Experience conducting audits, inspections and incident investigations
• Strong report writing, policy development and risk management capability
• Competent user of Microsoft Office and safety management systems

Soft skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong leadership and team management capability
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and technical specialists
• Proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment
• Collaborative mindset with excellent interpersonal skills

This is a rare opportunity to join a prestigious and highly innovative organisation where safety is genuinely valued as a strategic priority. You will have the chance to influence large-scale research and engineering operations, contribute to high-profile projects and work alongside some of the brightest minds in science and technology.

The role offers significant autonomy, variety and long-term career development within a supportive and forward-thinking environment. It is ideally suited to a safety professional looking to make a meaningful impact while developing their expertise in a complex, intellectually stimulating setting.

Agency notes

This is a full-time permanent role, working 37 hours per week Monday to Friday, and is available to start as soon as possible upon appointment. The client has not notified us of any specific Health & Safety Risks. The role will pay -55-65K + generous pension (16.5% employer / 6.1% employee) + 30 days holiday (with option to buy additional holiday) + bank holidays + season ticket loan + additional benefits. The notice period is 1 week during probation, rising to 1 month thereafter and is paid on a monthly, salaried basis. Salary offered will be dependent on experience. You will be site based full-time in Oxford city centre and will be covering multiple sites. Bryan & Armstrong Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers.