Interim Director of Health and Safety Services

The University of Birmingham is a comprehensive research-intensive institution, ranked in the top 100 universities globally, and home to a diverse community of over 41,000 students from 150 countries and more than 10,000 staff. Our heritage as Britain’s first civic university combines with an ambitious contemporary agenda to continue our transformation and growth and deepen our impact. Over 92% of our research is rated world-leading; our five research themes focus on a thriving planet, life-changing technologies, connecting cultures, global health and a fairer world. We rank highly among employers seeking to recruit graduates and are a diverse community, with staff and students from Birmingham and the West Midlands, across the UK and around the world, and we have a long-standing role at the heart of a dynamic and thriving city region. Building on all of this, our Strategic Framework sets a highly ambitious strategy to become a global top 50 institution by 2030.   

We are seeking a strategic and experienced leader to take on the newly created post of Interim Director of Health and Safety Services. This is a pivotal position within our Human Resources department, reporting to the Director of People and Culture and working closely with the Provost which will play a key role in shaping and communicating the strategic direction of the University’s health and safety agenda, ensuring it aligns with our institutional goals and values.

As Interim Director of Health and Safety Services, you will advise senior leadership, including the University Executive Board and Council on strategic health and safety matters. Collaboration will be central to your role, as you work closely with departments such as Estates, Security, Occupational Health, and Internal Audit to deliver integrated safety solutions.

You will lead a high-performing team of health and safety professionals, including specialists and administrative staff. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a university-wide health and safety strategy, overseeing governance and compliance, and fostering a culture of awareness, engagement and continuous improvement.  You will also lead the implementation of a comprehensive software system to support monitoring, reporting, and compliance across all aspects of health and safety.

The successful candidate will be a leader who is passionate about people and culture with a proven track record in the development of resilient and high functioning teams. This is a post that will suit health and safety leaders who can adopt a long-term approach to strategy alongside the rigours of day-to-day world class governance. You would be joining a collaborative and collegiate senior management team with a unified sense of purpose and mission.

The further particulars can be viewed at Director of Health and Safety

The post is initially offered as a 12-month fix-term contract but there is a potential for extension depending on business requirements.

The University is committed to building a fully inclusive and diverse community, including its senior leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds with the qualifications and experience to undertake this role, including under-represented groups.

To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our retained advisor Sian Gardiner of The Management Recruitment Group at sian.gardiner@mrgglobal.com

Closing date for applications is Sunday 9th November 2025.

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