Construction & Estates Health and Safety Advisor

Job Description

An opportunity has opened at University of Reading for a Construction & Estates Health and Safety Advisor  a role suited to someone who is motivated by creating safer working environments and enjoys working across complex operational settings. You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary safety team supporting estate, facilities, and construction activity across campus.

This position is about more than compliance  it’s about influence, partnership, and helping embed a proactive safety culture that protects staff, students, contractors, and visitors.

The Role  What You’ll Be Doing

You will act as a trusted advisor on health and safety matters linked to estates and construction activity. The work combines regulatory guidance, on-site engagement, and practical problem-solving.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising on safe working practices across construction and estates operations
• Applying UK legislative frameworks to real-world environments
• Supporting risk assessments, audits, and incident reviews
• Engaging with contractors to maintain compliance standards
• Promoting continuous improvement in safety culture
• Providing pragmatic guidance that balances safety with operational delivery
• Participating in occasional out-of-hours site visits or urgent response situations

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for someone who communicates with confidence, builds credibility quickly, and promotes safe practice through collaboration rather than authority.

You should have:

• A recognised construction-focused safety qualification such as the NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or equivalent experience)
• Strong working knowledge of UK safety legislation, particularly construction and asbestos frameworks
• Experience operating in estates, facilities, or construction environments
• Excellent influencing and communication skills
• Practical understanding of risk assessment and investigation processes
• Ability to manage competing priorities independently
• Experience working with contractors and outsourced service providers
• A full UK driving licence
• Flexibility to support occasional site-based or emergency requirements
• Skilled Worker Visa Considerations

Candidates requiring sponsorship should independently review eligibility guidance before applying. Information is available from:

• Skilled Worker visa overview — UK Home Office

Working Environment & Professional Growth

You’ll be supported by an experienced health and safety team committed to mentoring, professional development, and knowledge sharing. Internal staff may explore secondment opportunities in discussion with their managers.

The University actively supports inclusive working practices and national equality initiatives, including:

• Gender equality — Athena SWAN Charter
• Race equality — Race Equality Charter
• Disability inclusion — Disability Confident

Learn More About Relevant UK Safety Frameworks

• For candidates wishing to deepen their understanding of regulatory context:
• Construction safety regulations — Health and Safety Executive