Director of Health & Safety

The opportunity

At University of the Arts London (UAL), we are home to some of the most innovative minds in art, design, fashion, communication, media and performing arts. Our world-leading reputation is built on creativity, curiosity and a commitment to making a difference.

We are now seeking a Director of Health and Safety to shape, lead and deliver our strategic vision for safety across all our colleges, sites and communities. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will ensure the highest standards of safety are embedded into every aspect of University life for our staff, students and visitors. This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership with hands-on delivery in an environment that prizes originality, collaboration and excellence.

You will provide authoritative advice to the Executive Board and Senior Leadership Teams while leading a high performing Health and Safety team. You will champion a proactive and preventative approach to risk management and foster a culture where health, safety and wellbeing is integral to our ethos and daily operations. Your work will influence the future of our University, ensuring that we continue to provide a safe, inspiring and inclusive space for creativity to flourish.

Your profile

You will bring extensive senior level experience of leading and influencing organisational health and safety performance in complex multi-site environments. Your track record will include developing and implementing strategies, policies and management systems that deliver measurable improvements, as well as preventing unsafe practices and enhancing welfare outcomes.

An outstanding communicator, you will be confident in presenting complex matters with clarity and influence to a wide range of audiences. You will have proven ability to inspire, lead and develop high performing teams and will be skilled in planning and managing resources to achieve strategic objectives. You will also bring creativity and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions that address health and safety challenges while building strong relationships across the University and with external partners.

This is a role for a leader who thrives on collaboration, champions inclusion and wants to make a meaningful impact in one of the world’s most influential creative universities.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Start your application

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.