Job vacancy: Head of Health & Safety, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Port Talbot

Job summary

Main area: Health & Safety
Grade: Band 8c
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (May be required to work outside of normal working hours)
Job ref: 130-AC091-0625

Employer: Swansea Bay University Health Board
Employer type: NHS
Site: Swansea Bay University Health Board Headquarters
Town: Port Talbot
Salary: £75,405 - £86,885 Per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 19/06/2025 23:59

Head of Health & Safety

Band 8c

Welcome to Swansea Bay University Health Board. We welcome applications from people who share our values: caring for each other, working together and always improving.

Swansea Bay University Health Board reserve the right to close this vacancy after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. Therefore we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post.

Prior consideration for this vacancy will be given to staff currently awaiting redeployment and we therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

Please be advised that there is a temporary top up for Bands 2 and 3 to reflect the incorporation of the top up to the living wage of £12.60 per hour - £24,638 per annum.

This temporary top up will be in place until the annual pay uplift for 2025/26 is confirmed.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Design
• Developing the relevant improvement plans in accordance with national guidance for approval by the Health Board. Work closely with partner agencies and organisations on all Health, Safety and welfare, case management/violence and aggression and Fire matters.
• Development and delivery of efficient, proactive, and sustainable Health, Safety and welfare, case management/violence and aggression and Fire Services. Establish a comprehensive programme of skill development for managers in the area of Health, Safety and welfare, case management/violence and aggression and Fire which supports the ongoing optimisation of the contribution of the workforce to the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality healthcare
• Identify and prioritise the annual work plan and ad hoc initiatives as part of the operational planning process and seek opportunities for external funding as appropriate. Produce Action Plans and Work Programmes for Health and Safety disciplines. Ensure that standards are being met and any gaps are proactively managed to ensure patient and staff safety
• Ensure that the health & safety risk register and incident data is utilised to forecast trends and to assist the teams in offering an initiative-taking service to the line managers.
Improvement, Monitoring, Policy/Service Development
• Ensure that an evidence-based approach is applied to policy development and re-design programmes; and consider the outcomes of relevant audit and/or evaluation work on all aspects of the role. Continuous monitoring, assessment, review and evaluation of relevant strategies and practices.
• This role will involve being responsible for writing new and updating existing Health Board Policies.
• Adhere to the standards identified within the NHS Code of Conduct for managers, and where relevant those included in appropriate Professional Codes of Conduct
• Lead responsibility for external investigation and by enforcing agencies/legislative bodies, i.e., health & safety executive, in relation to health & safety. Also provide a compilation of draft replies to complaints arising in relation to matters relating to health, safety and welfare, case management/violence and aggression and fire.
• Work with the Executive Director of Finance and other Executive Directors to establish appropriate infrastructures to oversee and implement the strategic vision for Organisational transformation, ensuring appropriate membership and underpinning performance standards. Establish regular reporting mechanisms to relevant groups once they are established, to monitor implementation of the overall strategic direction for modernisation of Health, Safety and welfare, case management/violence and aggression and Fire.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Educated to Master’s Degree or equivalent experience.
In depth professional knowledge in health & safety management, of regulatory compliance assessments/ inspections, performance management and financial management.
Understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework for health & safety in NHS Wales dealing with sensitive issues, undertaking investigations of a complex nature.
Understanding of the modernisation agenda for the NHS. Advanced theoretical, specialist and practical knowledge relevant to the portfolio
Evidence of CPD in risk management field

Desirable criteria

Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IOSH
Teaching qualification.
Knowledge of working with Healthcare Standards

Experience

Essential criteria

Substantial experience in a senior management position in a large complex health/social care Organisation
Substantial experience of managing effective compliance against health & safety legislative and regulatory frameworks & significant experience in management of change management process
Strong track record of internal and external partnership working. Experience of planning and implementing long-term strategy demonstrable success in building, leading, motivating, managing, and developing teams
Experience of achieving change within a healthcare setting to influence at all levels and a highly strategic thinker. Policy production experience of working in a political environment
Teaching large multi- disciplinary groups.

Desirable criteria

Significant programme/ project management experience.
Complaint’s handling, emergency Planning
Speaking at events/ conferences.
Writing articles/journals etc
Undertaking focus groups/service development.

Essential Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria

Evidence of developing structuring and scheduling plans or strategies over at least a year and creating an operational framework. Present often highly complex and contentious information able to interpret legislation, national guidance as appropriate to the role.
Proven ability to achieve targets and objectives within a demanding and pressured environment against challenging deadlines. Sound judgement, decision making, and organisational skills. Able to demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills, displaying credibility, influence, and political acumen
Ability to travel within geographical area and work hours flexibly to meet the demands of the service.

Desirable criteria

Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh

Swansea Bay University Health Board is committed to supporting its staff and processes to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing service users experience. In our commitment to increase the number of staff able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we would particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

Equality remains at the centre of the Health Boards policy-making, service delivery and employment practices. We value the diversity of our staff and welcome applications from people from protected groups under the Equality Act 2010, this specifically includes age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/reassignment, race, religion, disability, pregnancy and maternity and marriage and civil partnership.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and applications are welcomed from persons with disabilities. A disability will not prejudice your application. If you are unable to submit your application in the requested format because of a disability please contact the Recruitment Team, who will agree a more suitable way for you to apply. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification will be invited to interview.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.