About this role
Interim Head of Health & Safety – 6 months FTC
Purpose
Provide experienced leadership and direction for Arqiva's Health & Safety function, ensuring the continued effective delivery of operational Health & Safety activities across the business. Lead and support a team of Health & Safety professionals, acting as the senior subject matter expert and decision-maker on complex technical, operational and legal H&S matters. Maintain compliance with UK legislation, support continual improvement and provide stability and leadership while the business progresses its wider safety transformation programme.
Location: We operate a flexible, working environment. Candidates can be based anywhere in the UK, with occasional travel required for team meetings and business needs (Huddersfield, London or Winchester or any other Arqiva site)
Total Package
• 6 months FTC • Up to £80k base salary • 25 days annual leave • Private Medical • A unique wellbeing programme that looks after the whole you • Access to multiple learning platforms to support your individual development • Active and diverse networks that build community, support wellbeing and advocate for change • A comprehensive set of benefits including discounts on big brands, gymflex memberships and paid volunteering leave - see our full list of benefits here.
Accountabilities
• Lead and manage Arqiva's Health & Safety function, ensuring the continued delivery of operational H&S objectives and priorities. • Provide leadership and direction to a team of nine Health & Safety professionals, supporting their performance, development and wellbeing. • Act as the senior escalation point and decision-maker for complex Health & Safety risks, incidents and compliance matters. • Ensure compliance with all relevant UK Health & Safety legislation, regulations and industry standards. • Oversee Health & Safety audits, inspections and risk assessments, ensuring appropriate controls are implemented and maintained. • Lead incident and accident investigations, identifying root causes and ensuring corrective actions are implemented and monitored. • Provide expert advice and guidance to senior leaders and operational teams on Health & Safety matters. • Build effective relationships with key stakeholders across the business, influencing and constructively challenging where required to drive positive safety outcomes. • Support the delivery of continuous improvement initiatives that enhance Health & Safety performance and culture. • Oversee H&S reporting, performance metrics and governance activities for executive leadership teams and external bodies as required. • Input into departmental OPEX/CAPEX budgets and support delivery of departmental objectives. • Role model Arqiva's values and culture, fostering collaboration, accountability and operational excellence across the team.
Skills
• Expert knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, regulations and best practice. • Strong risk assessment, hazard identification and risk management capability. • Ability to make sound, pragmatic and risk-based decisions in complex operational environments. • Excellent incident investigation and root cause analysis skills. • Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders constructively. • Effective communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to a range of audiences. • Proven people leadership and team management capability. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify and implement practical enhancements. • Budget and resource management experience. • Ability to provide calm, credible leadership in a fast-paced operational environment.
Knowledge & Experience
• Significant experience leading a Health & Safety function or managing a team of Health & Safety professionals within a complex organisation. • Extensive knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and regulatory requirements. • Demonstrable experience of providing operational Health & Safety leadership and making risk-based decisions. • Experience overseeing incident investigations, legal compliance programmes, audits and operational H&S support activities. • Proven ability to build credibility and influence senior stakeholders across a business. • Experience driving Health & Safety improvement initiatives and fostering a positive safety culture. • Experience within construction, infrastructure, engineering, utilities, telecoms or similarly regulated operational environments would be advantageous. • Experience of CDM regulations and construction/decommissioning activities is highly desirable. • Telecoms experience is not essential.
Qualifications
• Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) - essential. • NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 Health & Safety qualification - essential. • Relevant degree (or equivalent experience) in Occupational Health & Safety or related discipline. • Additional environmental or sustainability qualifications would be advantageous.
Why Arqiva:
We enable a switched-on world to flow. As the UK’s leader in TV and radio broadcast and the country’s top smart utilities platform, we are shaping the future of connectivity.
Our infrastructure delivers media and data exactly where they’re needed - whether that’s bringing TV and radio to your home or sending smart meter data to your utility provider. Our technology works quietly behind the scenes, connecting millions every day.
But it’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it. At Arqiva, you’ll find real connection: supportive teams, active colleague networks and plenty of ways to get involved and feel part of our community. We’ll give you the space and support to grow - whether that’s developing your skills, trying something new or taking on fresh challenges. And because there is more to life than work, our rewards and benefits are designed to support your wellbeing, your lifestyle and what matters most to you.
Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
At Arqiva, we’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard and empowered to succeed. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we work hard to remove barriers so every colleague can thrive. If you need any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected]
If this sounds like the right next step for you, we’d love to hear from you!