Health and Safety Manager Job Description Template
Resource type and category
Resource type: Downloadable job description template
Category: Health and Safety, Facilities Management Recruitment, Job Descriptions and Hiring Resources
Intended audience
Facilities Directors, Heads of Facilities, Health and Safety leaders, HR professionals, Talent Acquisition teams, Property and Estates teams and organisations recruiting a Health and Safety Manager.
Resource-card description
Download a comprehensive Health and Safety Manager job description template covering compliance, risk assessments, audits, incident investigation, emergency procedures, training, reporting and workplace safety culture.
Full resource-page description
A strong Health and Safety Manager plays a critical role in protecting employees, contractors, visitors and the wider organisation by ensuring workplace risks are identified, controlled and managed effectively.
The Health and Safety Manager Job Description Template provides employers with a practical framework for defining the responsibilities, experience, qualifications and personal qualities required for an effective health and safety leadership appointment.
The template positions the Health and Safety Manager as responsible for developing, implementing and managing health and safety policies and procedures across the organisation while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.
A central responsibility is the ongoing development and review of health and safety policies, plans and procedures, ensuring they remain aligned with current legal requirements and organisational needs.
Proactive risk management also features strongly. The Health and Safety Manager may conduct regular workplace inspections and audits, identify hazards and ensure appropriate corrective action is taken before issues develop into more serious incidents.
Incident investigation forms another important part of the role. The template includes responsibility for investigating accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and implementing measures designed to prevent recurrence.
Emergency preparedness is also covered extensively. Responsibilities can include coordinating fire evacuation arrangements, first aid provision and emergency response teams to ensure the organisation is prepared to respond effectively when required.
The role also contributes to continuous improvement in health, safety and wellbeing, working closely with managers and team leaders to develop safer working practices and strengthen safety culture across the business.
Collaboration with HR is included where health, wellbeing or individual risk assessments are required, reflecting the overlap between workplace safety and employee wellbeing.
Training and communication are another core responsibility. The Health and Safety Manager may deliver briefings and training to employees at all levels, helping ensure policies and procedures are understood and applied consistently.
The template also includes liaison with external regulatory bodies, insurers and specialist advisers where appropriate.
Record keeping and reporting form a further important part of the position. Accurate records must be maintained for inspections, incidents, training and risk assessments, while management reports are used to communicate health and safety performance to relevant stakeholders.
The Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications section provides a clear framework for candidate requirements. The template identifies a NEBOSH National General Certificate or Diploma as essential, with IOSH membership desirable.
Relevant experience in a health and safety management role is also required, ideally within the built environment or Facilities Management sector, together with a thorough understanding of current legislation and its practical application.
Experience of carrying out risk assessments and accident investigations is highlighted, while a degree or equivalent qualification in Safety Management or a related discipline is listed as desirable.
The About You section focuses on communication, influence, organisation and pragmatic decision-making. Strong candidates should be able to explain complex information clearly, balance compliance with operational requirements and influence stakeholders even when they do not have direct authority.
Designed to be adapted to individual organisations and working environments, this template provides a strong starting point for creating a clear and professional Health and Safety Manager job description.
Our published client work includes the constraints and the trade-offs, not just the outcome.