Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor

The University of Derby Estates Department is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable campus environment, that supports our passion for delivering world class education and ground-breaking research.

The Estates team has over 250 colleagues, working across all of our sites on everything from the refurbishment of buildings to catering.

About the Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance team

The Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) team provides specialist advice, assurance and support across the University Group, helping to protect our people, environment and operations. The team works collaboratively across a broad portfolio including health and safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability, energy, statutory compliance, occupational wellbeing and organisational resilience.

Our focus is on enabling the University to operate safely, sustainably and effectively, while supporting continual improvement and providing assurance that key risks are appropriately managed.

About the Role

As Health, Safety, Environment and Compliance Advisor, you will provide professional advice, support and assurance across the University’s Safety, Health, Environment and Compliance (SHEC) portfolio, helping to ensure that risks are effectively managed and the University continues to meet its legal, regulatory and organisational responsibilities.

Working as part of the wider SHEC team, you will support a varied programme of activity which may include health and safety, environmental management, statutory compliance, contractor management, fire safety, emergency planning, business continuity and wider risk and assurance activities.

Core responsibilities will include undertaking inspections and compliance reviews, supporting risk assessments, investigating incidents, delivering training and awareness activities, reviewing contractor documentation, maintaining appropriate records and performance information, and supporting the development and continual improvement of SHEC management systems.

The role is designed to be flexible and adaptable, enabling you to support different areas of the SHEC portfolio in response to organisational priorities, emerging risks and the future development of the team. This will provide opportunities to develop broader professional knowledge and experience across a complex and diverse University estate.

You will work independently within your areas of responsibility, collaborating with colleagues, managers, contractors and other stakeholders across the University.

The role will involve travel between University sites as required.

Anticipated interview date: Thursday 19th November 2026

About You

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and adaptable SHEC professional with experience working within Health & Safety, Environment, Compliance or a related discipline. You will be confident working independently, managing competing priorities and building effective relationships with colleagues, contractors and stakeholders at all levels.

A NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent qualification, is essential, alongside relevant practical experience within a Health & Safety, Environment or Compliance role. The successful candidate should hold, or be willing to work towards, an appropriate level of professional membership with IOSH.

You will have a good understanding of relevant legislation and risk management principles, with experience of activities such as workplace inspections, risk assessment, incident investigation, training, auditing, contractor management and compliance monitoring. Strong communication, organisational and influencing skills are essential, together with the ability to provide practical and proportionate advice.

Experience within Higher Education, Estates, Facilities Management or another complex multi-site environment would be advantageous, as would additional qualifications or experience in areas such as environmental management, fire safety, construction, auditing, ISO management systems, emergency planning or business continuity.

Above all, we are looking for someone who is collaborative, curious and willing to develop across the wider SHEC portfolio, rather than specialising solely within one area.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme

Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers

Discounted onsite gym

Holiday purchase

Cycle to Work scheme

A flexible working environment

A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Adam Gomes, Head of Group Safety, Health, Environment, Compliance via a.gomes@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.