Health, Safety, Fire & Risk Manager

Location: HMP Forest Bank

Salary: £45,000

Working hours: Mon – Fri (37.5 hours per week)

HMP Forest bank are seeking an experienced and influential Health, Safety, Fire & Risk Manager to lead the delivery of a robust, compliant and proactive safety culture at HMP Forest Bank. This is a high‑impact role for a confident professional who can provide visible leadership, expert guidance and strategic oversight across all aspects of fire, safety, health and risk management.

This is a role for someone who thrives on influence, accountability and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert fire, safety, health and risk management support across Sodexo operations, ensuring compliance with SEMS policies, processes and objectives.
• Act as the Competent Person, enforcing compliant delivery in line with legislative requirements and Sodexo/SJS risk management strategy.
• Drive continuous improvement in assurance, control and compliance across all SJS activities, including HMP Forest Bank.
• Support the UK Operations Director and Group Head of Safety & Risk in delivering strategic improvements across the business.
• You will work closely with the prison director, senior management team, the Safeguard team and operational leaders to maintain a zero‑harm culture, reduce incidents, and strengthen assurance and control across all SJS activities.

Essential

• National H&S qualification (NVQ Level 5 or equivalent).
• NEBOSH Fire Certificate.
• Strong knowledge of current fire, health & safety legislation.
• Proven experience in fire, safety, health and risk management systems, audits and incident investigation.
• Self‑motivated, able to work independently and make sound judgements in a complex environment.
• Excellent prioritisation, project management and risk management skills.
• Proactive approach with ownership of key deliverables (e.g., risk assessments, DATIX/SALUS reporting, safety tours).
• Confident communicator with strong presentation skills and the ability to influence senior managers.
• Flexible and able to travel to other SJS sites when required.
• Strong organisational skills with evidence of action planning and follow‑up.
• Effective team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Current and valid security clearance for England and Scotland.

Desirable

• Training in Risk Management and Business Continuity.
• BRE Fire Safety Risk Assessment certificate.
• Experience implementing and maintaining H&S and Quality Systems.
• ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 audit training.
• PAS 79 Fire Safety Risk Assessment experience.
• Previous custodial environment experience.
• IOSH membership.

About The Company

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

File Downloads

• UK Rewards and Benefits Guide.pdf
• Safety Risk Manager JD 18.05.17.docx