Interim Health & Safety Lead (Standards, Engagement & Culture) WCR 5 Max

Who You Are

Westminster City Council is seeking an experienced Interim Health & Safety Lead to provide senior-level capacity during a transition period, focused on stabilizing current work, progressing priority Health & Safety improvements, and preparing a structured handover for permanent staff. This role necessitates delivering clarity in Health & Safety frameworks and tools swiftly, without implementing long-term ownership or cultural transformation.

What the Job Involves

The interim role spans 3–6 months and includes:

• Establishing a clear baseline of Health & Safety maturity within the Council.
• Progressing priority work towards an ISO 45001-style management system.
• Enhancing visibility, consistency, and engagement with services and Directorates.
• Designing practical frameworks for permanent postholders.
• Creating a structured handover and roadmap for continued implementation.

Key Priority Areas

1. Health & Safety Standards & Systems: Review, update policies, identify risks, gaps, and define an ISO 45001-aligned framework.
2. Engagement, Communications & Culture: Develop and reset engagement strategies, increase visibility, and support managers in embedding Health & Safety.
3. Training & Capability (Design Phase): Conduct training needs analysis, create a competency matrix, and produce a clear training roadmap.
4. Leadership & Handover: Act as a senior advisor, coach team members, and produce a comprehensive handover including key assessments and recommendations.

Skills

• Senior Health & Safety leadership experience
• Experience with ISO 45001-aligned systems
• Track record of improving management systems
• Driving Health & Safety engagement
• Pace delivery in interim roles
• Influencing senior managers confidently
• Public sector or local government experience (desirable)