Senior Heath and Safety Advisor
Bedford - with travel to sites
Up to £49,715 depending on skills and experience

Full-time, permanent

This is a key role within our corporate Health & Safety team, with a dedicated focus on supporting our in‑house maintenance service. You will champion a strong health and safety culture, ensuring that risks are identified, understood, and effectively controlled. You'll lead on developing and improving H&S systems, documentation, training, and assurance processes, while also mentoring and managing our H&S Apprentice.

What You'll Be Doing
Health & Safety Leadership

• Promote and maintain a positive, proactive health and safety culture across IHMS.
• Ensure all systems, policies, procedures, and safe working methods are up to date, accessible, and embedded in day‑to‑day practice.
• Lead accident, incident, and near‑miss investigations and ensure follow‑up actions are completed.

Risk & Compliance

• Lead on risk assessments, safe systems of work, and COSHH compliance.
• Conduct regular site inspections and assurance reviews, ensuring corrective actions are completed promptly.
• Provide clear, insightful performance data and H&S reporting to managers and committees.
• Support the maintenance and continual improvement of the organisation's health and safety management system, aligned with ISO 45001.

Training & Engagement

• Develop and deliver toolbox talks and health and safety training.
• Maintain the mandatory training matrix and support colleagues' competence and confidence.
• Work closely with the H&S Operational Review Group and Employee Management Forum to promote engagement and continuous improvement.

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach, and support the H&S Apprentice, ensuring high performance and ongoing professional development.

Contract & System Management

• Oversee key H&S-related contracts such as driving licence checks and lone‑worker devices.
• Build strong relationships with external partners and identify opportunities to enhance systems and equipment.

What are we looking for?
Essential Skills & Experience

• Certified (CertIOSH) or technical (TechIOSH) or CMIOSH
• Strong working knowledge of health and safety legislation, guidance, and best practice.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, COSHH assessments, and incident investigations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Highly organised, proactive, and able to work independently.
• Confident trainer and presenter with strong attention to detail.
• Access to your own vehicle and ability to travel to sites as needed.

Desirable

• Experience in maintenance, repairs, or facilities management.
• Experience managing assurance reviews and improvement actions.
• Familiarity with IT systems used for managing accidents and assurance processes.

Our Val