This is a senior leadership opportunity to shape and lead the health, safety and wellbeing agenda across SYMCA. You will play a vital role in creating a safe, healthy and resilient organisation by providing strategic direction, assurance and oversight across a diverse range of services, programmes and partnerships.

As a key member of the organisation’s leadership community, you will help embed a proactive culture where health, safety and wellbeing are integral to decision-making, service delivery and organisational success.

Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile. (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal. 

Please note, this is a deemed as a ‘sensitive’ politically restricted post. The effect of the designation in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 prevents employees from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace.

As Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, you will provide strategic leadership and expert oversight for all aspects of health, safety and wellbeing across the organisation. You will develop and deliver a comprehensive organisational framework that supports compliance, risk management and continuous improvement while enabling the safe and effective delivery of services and programmes.

You will act as the organisation’s lead professional authority, advising senior leaders and governance bodies on health, safety and wellbeing matters, and providing independent assurance on risk, compliance and performance. You will establish and maintain effective governance, reporting and assurance arrangements that support informed decision-making and organisational accountability.

The role involves overseeing the development and implementation of safety management systems, ensuring a consistent approach across operational, corporate, commissioning and partnership environments. You will also lead organisational preparedness and resilience activities, including risk management, incident response, emergency planning and business continuity.

Working collaboratively across the organisation and with external partners, regulators and stakeholders, you will help ensure health, safety and wellbeing considerations are embedded into major programmes, operational delivery and future organisational developments. You will also lead and develop a specialist team, promoting high standards, professional excellence and continuous improvement.

You are an experienced health, safety and wellbeing leader with a strong track record of operating at a senior level within a complex organisation. You are confident providing strategic advice and assurance to senior leaders and have experience influencing decision-making in challenging and high-profile environments.

You have extensive knowledge of health and safety legislation, governance and risk management frameworks, and are skilled at applying these in a practical and proportionate way. You understand how to balance compliance with effective service delivery and can translate technical requirements into clear and actionable guidance.
You are a strong and credible leader who can build effective relationships across teams, services and partner organisations. You are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and accountable culture, enabling others to understand and fulfil their responsibilities for health, safety and wellbeing.

You are proactive, resilient and solutions-focused, with a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to creating environments where people can work safely, thrive and perform at their best.

All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.

In addition to the above, some of our benefits include -

Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.

Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in additional to your normal annual leave

Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts. 

Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi-Scheme which allows office-based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time-off in the form of Flexi-Leave or banked Annual Leave.

Rewarding You - Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle-to-Work schemes. 

Training on the job - Support with upskilling skills through on-the-job training and qualifications

Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management. 

Diversity at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority

Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. 

All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment as such all requests will be considered subject to operation requirements. 

Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact [email protected] or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.