Design & Construction Safety Assurance Lead

Job Purpose / Overview 

The Design & Construction Safety Assurance Lead will support the Head of Health & Safety (Client) in providing effective Client health and safety assurance across the site Project and its associated off-site infrastructure.

A key purpose of the role is to establish and maintain a strong, systematic and risk-based Client assurance approach over Principal Designer activities, with particular emphasis on design risk management and the progressive development of the Health & Safety File through construction, commissioning and handover.The role will also support the discharge of the Client’s wider duties under CDM 2015, including assurance of Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor arrangements, appointments, organisational capability, pre-construction information, cooperation and coordination between duty holders.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead risk-based Client assurance of the Principal Designer and designer arrangements, focusing on CDM 2015 compliance, design risk management and effective coordination.
•  Assure the development, quality and progressive completion of the Health & Safety File through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Support the Head of Health & Safety (Client) in assuring Client duties under CDM 2015, including appointments, organisational capability, pre-construction information and duty-holder performance.
• Plan and undertake audits, reviews and inspections across site and associated off-site activities, assuring both management arrangements and their implementation at the point of work.
• Provide conventional health and safety assurance across construction and infrastructure activities, focusing on significant project risks and contractor arrangements.
• Provide health and safety and CDM support to off-site and associated development projects, including warehouses, offices, park-and-ride facilities, compounds, substations and other infrastructure.
• Build effective relationships and provide constructive challenge to the Client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, designers, project managers and Contract Partners, escalating significant issues where required.
• Use assurance findings, performance information and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement and align future assurance activity to the Project risk profile.
• Undertake other relevant and reasonable duties required by the business, aligned with the post-holder’s skills, experience and professional competence.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent Level 6 health and safety qualification.
• Membership of IOSH at an appropriate professional level, with Chartered status or progression towards Chartered status desirable.
• A minimum of approximately five years' relevant health and safety experience within construction, engineering, infrastructure or a comparable project environment.
• Strong working knowledge and practical application of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• Demonstrable experience of working within, alongside, or providing assurance of a Principal Designer function, with a good understanding of designer duties and design risk management.
• Good practical understanding of the duties placed on designers and Principal Designers and how these should be applied throughout the project lifecycle.
• Experience of undertaking health and safety audits, inspections, reviews or other forms of assurance.
• Practical construction health and safety experience and the ability to assess work activities and management arrangements in the field.
• Good understanding of design risk management principles, including the elimination, reduction, communication and management of foreseeable risks through design.
• Good understanding of the purpose, development and management of the Health & Safety File.
• Experience of contractor management, engagement and assurance.
• Ability to interpret legislation, standards, procedures and management arrangements and assess their practical implementation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear assurance reports and communicate findings to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to constructively challenge individuals and organisations while maintaining effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise activities and operate across multiple projects and locations.
• Ability to influence people at different levels without direct line-management authority.