Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to lead our Occupational Health Service, playing a pivotal role in both strategic planning and operational delivery.
Reporting to the Associate Director of People for Operational HR, you will be responsible for ensuring the provision of a high-quality, innovative, and commercially viable Occupational Health Service across the Trust.
You will manage a multidisciplinary team and oversee a wide range of activities from clinical governance and maintaining SEQOHS accreditation to data analysis, financial performance, and supporting staff wellbeing initiatives.
A key aspect of the role involves collaboration with internal stakeholders such as employees, managers, HR teams, and clinical leaders. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future direction of occupational health within the Trust, driving improvements in staff health and wellbeing, influencing Trust-wide policy, and expanding the service's commercial reach.
If you are a strategic thinker with a strong background in occupational health, operational leadership, and service development, we'd love to hear from you.
The role is based at our Watford site and core hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with flexibility required to meet service demands, attend meetings, and respond to operational needs. Occasional travel to external sites or partner organisations may be required.
Main duties of the job
This role requires someone who can operate confidently at senior level, balancing leadership, service development, and stakeholder engagement with day-to-day operational management.Key Skills and Qualities We're Looking For:Proven leadership experience in managing Occupational Health services within a complex organisation.
Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality standards, and SEQOHS accreditation.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
Commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, identifying income opportunities, and delivering value-for-money services.
Strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of service innovation and alignment to organisational goals.
Confident in data analysis, reporting, and using evidence to drive decision-making and improvements.
Commitment to staff wellbeing, continuous improvement, and professional development.
About us
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead the strategic and operational management of the Trusts Occupational Health Service.
Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team, including clinical and administrative staff, supporting professional development and performance.
Ensure compliance with SEQOHS accreditation standards and all relevant legislation, policies, and best practices.
Collaborate closely with the Wellbeing Service to align health and wellbeing offerings with organisational priorities.
Oversee the Occupational Health budget, ensuring financial sustainability, identifying cost efficiencies, and driving commercial income opportunities.
Analyse service data and produce reports to inform strategic planning, Trust-wide performance monitoring, and senior management decision-making.
Develop and implement Trust-wide policies and procedures relating to Occupational Health, ensuring effective governance and legal compliance.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
Lead on the marketing and promotion of Occupational Health Services, both internally and to potential external clients.
Ensure the safe and confidential management of all sensitive health information and contribute to health and safety compliance and risk management across the service.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Lead the strategic and operational management of the Trusts Occupational Health Service.
Manage and develop a multidisciplinary team, including clinical and administrative staff, supporting professional development and performance.
Ensure compliance with SEQOHS accreditation standards and all relevant legislation, policies, and best practices.
Collaborate closely with the Wellbeing Service to align health and wellbeing offerings with organisational priorities.
Oversee the Occupational Health budget, ensuring financial sustainability, identifying cost efficiencies, and driving commercial income opportunities.
Analyse service data and produce reports to inform strategic planning, Trust-wide performance monitoring, and senior management decision-making.
Develop and implement Trust-wide policies and procedures relating to Occupational Health, ensuring effective governance and legal compliance.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
Lead on the marketing and promotion of Occupational Health Services, both internally and to potential external clients.
Ensure the safe and confidential management of all sensitive health information and contribute to health and safety compliance and risk management across the service.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- RN, ROH Registration on Part 1 and Part 3 of the NMC register
- Educated to Master's Degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Experience of working in a senior management capacity.
Desirable
- Specialist practitioner (OH) certificate/ Diploma/ Degree.
- NEBOSH (National Examining Board for Occupational Health) or IOSH Managing Safety Certificate.
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of national and local policy relating to Occupational Health.
- Expert knowledge of Health Promotion and wellbeing
- Knowledge of NHS Health & Wellbeing agenda.
Desirable
- Specialist OH experience
- Knowledge of Health & safety law and Employment law in conjunction with OH issues.
- Management of EAP services.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing a complex occupational health and wellbeing service within healthcare organisations.
- Experience of managing a budget and cost improvement plans.
- Experience of leading and managing staff vaccination campaigns.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- RN, ROH Registration on Part 1 and Part 3 of the NMC register
- Educated to Master's Degree level or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Experience of working in a senior management capacity.
Desirable
- Specialist practitioner (OH) certificate/ Diploma/ Degree.
- NEBOSH (National Examining Board for Occupational Health) or IOSH Managing Safety Certificate.
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of national and local policy relating to Occupational Health.
- Expert knowledge of Health Promotion and wellbeing
- Knowledge of NHS Health & Wellbeing agenda.
Desirable
- Specialist OH experience
- Knowledge of Health & safety law and Employment law in conjunction with OH issues.
- Management of EAP services.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing a complex occupational health and wellbeing service within healthcare organisations.
- Experience of managing a budget and cost improvement plans.
- Experience of leading and managing staff vaccination campaigns.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
