Construction & Estates Health and Safety Advisor(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Make Safety Matter — Every Day

We’re looking for a proactive and people-focused Construction & Estates Health and Safety Advisor to help shape a strong, positive safety culture across our university estate.

In this role, you won’t just be advising on compliance — you’ll be building trusted relationships, influencing good practice, and supporting colleagues and contractors to create safer working environments across construction, estates, and facilities operations.

You’ll join a knowledgeable, supportive, multi-disciplinary Health & Safety team while working closely with colleagues across campus to ensure health and safety is embedded into everyday decision-making.

Your Impact

As part of the Health & Safety Services team, you will:

• Promote a positive and proportionate health & safety culture across construction and estates activities
• Provide practical advice and guidance on UK health and safety legislation and best practice
• Support compliance with CDM Regulations, asbestos management (CAR), and contractor safety requirements
• Carry out inspections, audits, and risk assessments across the estate
• Support incident investigations and contribute to continuous improvement
• Work collaboratively with contractors and outsourced service providers to ensure safe delivery of works
• Balance multiple priorities while working both independently and as part of a team
• Attend site visits as required, including occasional out-of-hours or emergency responses

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who is confident, credible, and committed to safety excellence. You’ll bring:

• A genuine passion for improving health and safety outcomes
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or working towards it — talk to us if this is the only requirement you’re missing)
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, including CDM and CAR
• Experience in estates, facilities management, or construction-related environments
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence without authority
• Experience with risk assessment, audits, and incident investigation techniques
• Confidence working with contractors and managing compliance in outsourced services
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines
• A full UK driving licence

Career Development & Flexibility

We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates. For existing staff, this role may be considered on a secondment basis as part of our commitment to professional development (please discuss with your line manager before applying).

Flexible working arrangements, job-share, and part-time requests will be considered in line with operational needs.

Equality, Inclusion & Standards

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support:

• Athena SWAN Gender Equality Charter
• Race Equality Charter
• LGBT+ inclusion
• Disability Confident Employer (Level 2)

Relevant UK Guidance & Legislation

Managing health and safety in construction (HSG150): https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg150.htm

Visa Information

Applicants who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are advised to check their eligibility directly via the UK Home Office. Visa routes will only be discussed with candidates invited to interview.

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Ready to Apply?

If you’re motivated by making a real difference and want to turn your commitment to safety into meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Alternative contact:
Wendy Manning – Head of Health and Safety Services
w.e.manning@reading.ac.uk

Apply now and help us create safer, healthier environments across our university estate.