Head of Health & Safety; Interim Maternity Cover

Head of Health & Safety (Interim 12 Month Maternity Cover)

Join to apply for the Head of Health & Safety (Interim 12 Month Maternity Cover) role at GPE

Great Portland Estates (GPE) is a highly regarded central London Property Investment and Development company with approximately £2.5 billion of real estate. GPE is primarily office focused with retail and some residential; 100% of the portfolio is located within central London. The business focuses on acquiring and developing properties through effective portfolio management or redevelopment to reposition them and unlock their full potential.

This approach, combined with successful reading of the real‑estate market, continues to deliver outstanding performance for shareholders and creates a very dynamic environment to work in.

• Significant experience working as a Health and Safety professional at “Head‑of department” level.
• Experience with in the property/facilities/construction sectors is preferential.
• CMIO or equivalent preferred.
• Proven experience in successfully managing a team of employees.

• Outstanding organisation skills
• Ability to handle a large and varied workload.
• Dynamic individual who enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence at senior level.
• Self‑directed, initiative‑driven with balanced advice seeking.
• High degree of professionalism and integrity, with discretion.
• Conscientious and delivers on commitments to meet business needs.
• Composed in pressured situations with personal resilience.
• Continuous improvement mindset – constantly seeks best service for the team and wider business.
• Works flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team.

• We achieve more together.
• We are committed to excellence.
• We are open and fair.
• We embrace opportunity.

• Lead the business to meet and exceed legal compliance in health and safety, developing a positive health and safety culture.
• Develop the health and safety management system to meet best practice standards while reflecting business needs.
• Implement and evolve the health and safety strategy, adapting it as needs change.
• Work with the Health and Safety Business Partner / Senior Business Partner to support the business in managing health and safety, ensuring processes suit each department.
• Provide technical support on health and safety legislation across the business:
  • Providing expert advisory support.
  • Providing leadership and resolutions where needed.
  • Challenging all parties – internal and external – to maintain standards.
  • Providing visible proactive leadership for Health and Safety matters.
• Ensure duty holders are appropriately up‑skilled and support learning, challenging preconceptions of health and safety.
• Recommend and support the implementation of policies and procedures to manage employee health and safety.
• Work with HR to ensure employee wellbeing measures meet best practice standards.
• Collaborate with senior management and health and safety professionals from Principal Contractors to understand challenges and champion wellbeing on construction sites.
• Support the HR team to champion wellbeing internally with employees.
• Support accident and incident investigation with a no‑blame culture.
• Provide line management support to the Health and Safety Compliance Manager, reviewing development opportunities and supporting performance through feedback and appraisals.
• Lead and manage the Health and Safety Committee, reporting to the Executive Committee and the Board on health and safety.
• Work with the Business Partner to establish and maintain a “golden thread” of information on fire safety for our buildings.
• Develop and implement a framework for health and safety consultants to ensure efficient, proactive use that adds value.

• Hybrid Working (minimum 3 days in office)
• Competitive Remuneration
• 25 Days Annual Leave
• Competitive Employer Pension Contributions
• Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay
• Private Medical Insurance
• Private Dental Insurance
• And many others

At GPE we are committed to diversity and inclusion, we believe that diversity gives us strength. Collecting diversity data allows us to measure the effectiveness of our efforts and ensure our hiring procedures are fair and equitable for all. Providing this information is voluntary and remains confidential. This data is anonymised and only used to assess the diversity of our applicant pool.

It will not influence hiring decisions in any way.

• Director

• Full‑time

• Other