Job summary
Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS) is looking for an experienced and strategic Head of Compliance and Safety to lead our compliance and assurance functions across Cheltenham and Gloucester hospitals.
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring that all GMS services meet statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations, providing strategic leadership to the compliance team, and supporting the wider organisation in delivering safe, effective, and compliant services.
You will drive forward the development of compliance frameworks, lead on audit and assurance activity, and provide expert advice to the Senior Leadership Team. This is a high-profile role requiring strong leadership, professional expertise, and the ability to influence at senior levels across healthcare and regulatory environments.
This role requires regular cross-site working and participation in the senior manager on-call rota.
The proposed interview date is: 15th October
Please note this job will attract GMS Terms and Conditions of Service (TCS). Please see attached TCS for reference
Main duties of the job
- Lead the development and delivery of compliance frameworks, policies, and assurance processes across GMS
- Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements, including health and safety legislation and environmental standards.
- Oversee risk management, including risk registers, audits, inspections, and investigations.
- Provide high-quality assurance reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and the Associate Director of Business Operations and Governance, and the Strategic Asset Services Director.
- Represent GMS in meetings with regulators, enforcement agencies, and external partners.
- Provide visible leadership to compliance staff, ensuring effective workforce planning, budgetary control, and staff development.
- Promote a culture of professionalism, continuous improvement, and learning across compliance services.
- Contribute to strategic planning as part of the GMS Senior Management Team.
- Champion equality, diversity, inclusion, and staff wellbeing at every opportunity.
About us
At GMS, we are proud to provide essential services that support patient care across Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Joining us means being a part of a team committed to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
We offer a supportive and inclusive workplace with a strong focus on professional development and staff wellbeing.
Benefits include:
- Competitive salary with pension contributions 10% total contribution (4% from employee, 1% tax relief, 5% from GMS).
- Generous annual leave, rising with service, plus one paid volunteering day.
- Sick pay after successful completion of probation.
- Access to a range of employee benefits, including childcare facilities (available depending on capacity), salary sacrifice schemes, discounted travel, and well-being offers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Compliance and Safety will lead the delivery of compliance services across GMS, ensuring safe, effective, and legally compliant operations. The role covers assurance frameworks, audit, incident investigation, ISO accreditation, and strategic risk management.
You will provide professional leadership to the compliance team, develop policies and systems, and act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. The role involves mentoring staff, managing resources, and contributing to organisational planning.
With responsibilities spanning regulatory engagement, workforce leadership, and operational oversight, this position requires resilience, expertise, and a proactive approach to ensuring safety and compliance are embedded across all service areas.
If you are ready to take on a senior leadership role where your expertise can make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Compliance and Safety will lead the delivery of compliance services across GMS, ensuring safe, effective, and legally compliant operations. The role covers assurance frameworks, audit, incident investigation, ISO accreditation, and strategic risk management.
You will provide professional leadership to the compliance team, develop policies and systems, and act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders. The role involves mentoring staff, managing resources, and contributing to organisational planning.
With responsibilities spanning regulatory engagement, workforce leadership, and operational oversight, this position requires resilience, expertise, and a proactive approach to ensuring safety and compliance are embedded across all service areas.
If you are ready to take on a senior leadership role where your expertise can make a real impact, we would love to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Health & Safety, Risk, or Compliance Management.
- Professional qualification in a related discipline (e.g., CMIOSH, MIIRSM).
Desirable
- Postgraduate leadership/management qualification.
- Ongoing professional development in healthcare compliance (e.g., Authorised Person, CDM Coordinator, PRINCE1/APM).
Experience
Essential
- Senior-level management experience in compliance, health and safety.
- Experience of leading diverse professional teams and managing budgets.
- Experience of developing and implementing governance frameworks and policies.
Desirable
- Experience in NHS, healthcare or facilities management environments.
- Experience of project or change management in compliance settings.
Knowledge/ Skills
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of the Health & Safety at Work Act and associated legislation.
- Ability to interpret and apply compliance and governance frameworks.
- Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, including risk assessment and data interpretation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS compliance standards (HTMs, HBNs, CQC requirements)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Health & Safety, Risk, or Compliance Management.
- Professional qualification in a related discipline (e.g., CMIOSH, MIIRSM).
Desirable
- Postgraduate leadership/management qualification.
- Ongoing professional development in healthcare compliance (e.g., Authorised Person, CDM Coordinator, PRINCE1/APM).
Experience
Essential
- Senior-level management experience in compliance, health and safety.
- Experience of leading diverse professional teams and managing budgets.
- Experience of developing and implementing governance frameworks and policies.
Desirable
- Experience in NHS, healthcare or facilities management environments.
- Experience of project or change management in compliance settings.
Knowledge/ Skills
Essential
- Extensive knowledge of the Health & Safety at Work Act and associated legislation.
- Ability to interpret and apply compliance and governance frameworks.
- Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, including risk assessment and data interpretation.
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS compliance standards (HTMs, HBNs, CQC requirements)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
