Health & Safety Manager Recruitment

What the role involves

• Managing CDM compliance as the Principal Contractor H&S lead, producing and maintaining construction phase plans and ensuring pre-construction information is distributed to all relevant duty holders before work begins
• Conducting regular site safety inspections and formal audits, producing written reports and tracking corrective actions to close-out, with evidence maintained for ISO 45001 or client accreditation purposes
• Developing, reviewing, and approving construction phase plans and pre-construction information packs, tailoring content to the specific hazards present on each project rather than relying on generic templates
• Investigating accidents and near misses and producing formal investigation reports for management and the HSE where required
• Delivering site inductions, toolbox talks, and bespoke H&S training to site operatives and management
• Liaising with the HSE, local authorities, and client H&S teams on safety matters and enforcement notices

Who employers are looking for

The NEBOSH Construction Certificate is the minimum requirement for the majority of Health and Safety Manager roles in construction. At advisor level, employers expect demonstrable site audit experience and a sound working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015. NEBOSH Diploma or NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health and Safety is expected at senior management level. CMIOSH (Chartered Member of IOSH) is the career target for senior H&S Managers and significantly impacts both earning potential and career progression. A CSCS Safety Manager card is required for site access.

Contractors hiring at H&S Manager level want candidates who can influence site culture, not just write reports. Experience delivering toolbox talks, conducting behavioural safety observations, and working with site management to embed safe systems of work is as important as formal qualification. Candidates with experience on high-hazard works, including demolition, temporary works, deep excavations, and working at height, are highly valued. Senior H&S Managers operating at Group or divisional level in large contractors earn £80,000 - £120,000.

The difference between a strong and a weak H&S Manager in the eyes of site-based employers comes down to credibility on site. Candidates who come from a trade background before moving into safety roles often find it easier to engage operatives and site management at a practical level. Those who have only ever worked in an advisory capacity can struggle to challenge unsafe conditions decisively. At mid-career level, employers expect candidates to have led formal accident investigations and produced investigation reports that stand up to HSE scrutiny. Senior candidates are expected to have designed and implemented safety management systems, not just audited existing ones. The ongoing expansion of UK infrastructure programmes, combined with the introduction of the Building Safety Act and its broader implications for principal designer responsibilities, is sustaining demand for well-qualified construction H&S professionals across all sectors.

Salary benchmarks

CMIOSH chartered status adds 10 - 15% to market value at comparable experience levels. London roles command a 15 - 20% premium over national rates. Group H&S Directors in large main contractors earn £80,000 - £120,000. Contract H&S advisors and managers earn £250 - £500 per day.

Industries that hire Health & Safety Managers

• Main contracting: site safety management on commercial building, residential, and civil engineering projects of all sizes, where the H&S Manager typically covers a regional portfolio of sites rather than a single project
• Infrastructure: managing safety on highways, rail, and utilities projects with complex temporary works and public interface risks, where possession management and traffic management safety plans add a layer of complexity not seen in building construction
• Housebuilding: health and safety management across multiple residential sites simultaneously, often travelling across a regional portfolio
• Demolition and groundworks: high-hazard activities requiring specialist CDM knowledge and risk assessment capability
• Facilities management: managing safety compliance during building works and maintenance in occupied commercial and public buildings

Related roles

• Site Manager: the operational lead on site who works directly with the H&S Manager to implement safety systems
• Construction Project Manager: responsible for overall CDM compliance on the project, supported by the H&S Manager
• Contracts Manager: senior operational lead with responsibility for H&S performance across the portfolio
• Planning Engineer: coordinates with H&S on safe sequencing, temporary works, and method statement review

Where we place Health & Safety Manager professionals

We place Health and Safety Manager professionals across the UK. Browse by location or register your CV for roles that match your experience.