Job summary
Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of Health and Safety to provide strategic leadership and ensure the highest standards of health, safety, security and staff welfare across the organisation.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced specialist to influence, shape and drive an ambitious programme of modernisation, cultural improvement and organisational safety.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Health and Safety, you will:
- Provide strategic and professional leadership for health, safety, security and welfare across the Health Board.
- Develop and deliver evidence-based policies, strategies and improvement plans, ensuring compliance with legislation, NHS Wales requirements and regulatory expectations.
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders, trade unions, professional bodies, Welsh Government and regulators.
- Lead the development of safe systems of work, modern approaches to health and wellbeing, and innovative solutions to improve workforce safety and organisational performance.
- Oversee the management of non-clinical risk, incident systems, dashboards, audits and the Health Board's safety performance framework.
- Provide expert advice and highly complex information in areas that may involve contentious or sensitive issues.
- Manage resources, budgets, staff development and professional standards within the Health, Safety, Security and Welfare Teams.
This role offers the opportunity to influence service delivery at a local and national level, ensuring that the Health Board meets its legal duties and continues to build a strong culture of safety.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh isdesirablefor this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting.
Stakeholder panels will be held on 17/03/2026.
Interviews will be held on 18/03/2026.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh isdesirablefor this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
If successfully shortlisted you will be asked to complete psychometric assessments. Information regarding these and the stakeholder panels/interview will be sent to you following completion of shortlisting.
Stakeholder panels will be held on 17/03/2026.
Interviews will be held on 18/03/2026.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to Master's Degree or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance assessments/ inspections.
- In depth professional knowledge in health & safety management, performance management and financial management
- Understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework for health & safety in NHS Wales
- Understanding of the modernisation agenda for the NHS
- Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IOSH
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in a senior management position in a large complex health/social care organisatio
- Substantial experience of managing effective compliance against health & safety legislative and regulatory frameworks
- Significant experience in management of change management process
- Strong track record of internal and external partnership working
- Experience of multi - disciplinary/agency partnership working
- Experience of planning and implementing long-term strategy
- Demonstrable success in building, leading, motivating, managing, and developing teams
- Ability to influence at all levels and a highly strategic thinker
- Advanced theoretical, specialist and practical knowledge relevant to the portfolio
- Experience of working in a political environment
Desirable
- Significant programme/ project management experience
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner and nationally
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Educated to Master's Degree or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance assessments/ inspections.
- In depth professional knowledge in health & safety management, performance management and financial management
- Understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework for health & safety in NHS Wales
- Understanding of the modernisation agenda for the NHS
- Membership of an appropriate professional body such as IOSH
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in a senior management position in a large complex health/social care organisatio
- Substantial experience of managing effective compliance against health & safety legislative and regulatory frameworks
- Significant experience in management of change management process
- Strong track record of internal and external partnership working
- Experience of multi - disciplinary/agency partnership working
- Experience of planning and implementing long-term strategy
- Demonstrable success in building, leading, motivating, managing, and developing teams
- Ability to influence at all levels and a highly strategic thinker
- Advanced theoretical, specialist and practical knowledge relevant to the portfolio
- Experience of working in a political environment
Desirable
- Significant programme/ project management experience
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner and nationally
Desirable
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).
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).
