Health and Safety Manager - FTC 18 Months

Location: Manchester

About the role

This senior role will lead a firm-wide programme to establish and embed a robust, consistent and sustainable Health & Safety management framework.

Working across the business, you will drive an 18-month transformation programme, strengthening governance, compliance, risk management and accountability. You'll work closely with senior leaders and operational teams to deliver practical, proportionate and lasting improvements, leaving the firm with a mature H&S framework and a clear long-term operating model.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the firm's Health & Safety transformation programme, developing the strategy, roadmap and future operating model.
• Design and embed a consistent H&S management framework aligned to business needs and risk.
• Provide expert H&S advice and guidance to senior leaders, driving accountability and a strong safety culture.
• Review and enhance H&S policies, procedures, governance and compliance arrangements.
• Develop robust approaches to risk assessment, audits, inspections, incident management and continuous improvement.
• Oversee fire safety, emergency planning, workplace safety, and contractor management.
• Define H&S training and competence requirements for managers and colleagues.
• Ensure H&S considerations are integrated into office moves, refurbishments and business change projects.
• Deliver meaningful reporting and insights to support informed decision-making and risk management.
• Build sustainable internal capability and recommend the organisation's long-term H&S operating model.
• We are seeking a senior Health & Safety professional with a proven track record of leading significant organisational H&S improvement and transformation programmes.
• You will have experience developing and embedding robust H&S frameworks across complex, multi-site organisations, taking H&S arrangements from a less mature state to a more consistent, effective and sustainable operating model.

You will bring

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent senior-level H&S qualification.
• Experience leading major H&S transformation or improvement programmes.
• Expertise in designing and implementing H&S management frameworks and governance structures.
• Strong knowledge of H&S legislation, risk management and assurance.
• The credibility to influence senior leaders and drive organisational change.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.
• Experience building accountability, capability and ownership across an organisation.
• Strong professional judgement and confidence in identifying and escalating risk.
• Ideally, experience within professional services, corporate or similarly complex environments.
• No Recruitment Agencies Please!
• Smart. Bold. Together. We Are Freeths.
• Become part of the team at Freeths.
• View some of our recent highlights on our website here.
• We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
• Additional Locations: Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Oxford, London, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leicester, Bristol, Birmingham