Health & Safety Advisor Full Time NEW

Reading, Berkshire
Greys Specialist Recruitment

Greys Specialist Recruitment is supporting an established multidisciplinary construction consultancy in appointing a Construction Health & Safety Advisor.

The consultancy provides construction H&S, CDM, Principal Designer, surveying, quality-control and technical advisory services.

This client-facing role combines construction H&S advice, site inspections and CDM support. You will manage client appointments and advise clients, designers, Principal Designers and Principal Contractors.

The vacancy has a stronger CDM focus than a general site-safety role. Applied knowledge of CDM 2015 is essential. CDM Advisor or Principal Designer support experience is particularly valuable, although construction H&S professionals who regularly advise project teams under CDM may also be considered.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a principal H&S/CDM contact, coordinating appointments within agreed programmes, scopes and budgets.
• Advise clients and project teams on CDM 2015, dutyholder responsibilities and suitable H&S arrangements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review project arrangements, construction information and dutyholder compliance, coordinating H&S information between clients, designers, project managers and contractors.
• Review Construction Phase Plans, RAMS and contractor documentation, ensuring they address actual project risks, methods and site arrangements rather than merely providing paperwork.
• Conduct inspections, identify unsafe conditions or arrangements and recommend proportionate action. Escalate high-risk matters before leaving site and issue reports within 24 hours.
• Advise on UK H&S legislation; undertake audits; monitor actions; support ISO 45001-aligned systems; prepare policies and risk assessments; chair meetings; deliver training; and maintain complete records.
• Manage deadlines and commercial performance, including invoicing targets, fee proposals, out-of-scope work, purchase orders and outstanding-payment information.
• Attend team meetings, mentor junior colleagues, identify additional services, support regional growth, improve procedures and maintain CPD.

Essential experience and qualifications

• Recent experience as a Construction H&S Advisor, Construction Safety Consultant, CDM/H&S Advisor or similar, including independent inspections of active sites.
• Practical experience applying CDM 2015 to live projects, advising dutyholders and reviewing Construction Phase Plans, RAMS and contractor documentation.
• Strong knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and CDM 2015.
• A recognised qualification, ideally NEBOSH Construction, NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent, with current IOSH membership at TechIOSH level or above.
• Knowledge of construction methods, sequencing, site risks, project delivery and drawings, with sound judgement and practical problem-solving ability.
• Strong client communication, influencing and report writing, including advising senior stakeholders, managing difficult conversations and meeting tight deadlines.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and commercial awareness; confidence with Microsoft Office and electronic reporting tools; a full, clean driving licence; UK working rights; and willingness to travel and stay overnight.

Strongly preferred CDM experience

• CDM Advisor, CDM Consultant or Principal Designer experience, including supporting Principal Designer appointments and advising clients during pre-construction and construction.
• Experience working with design teams to eliminate or control foreseeable risks, with knowledge of Pre-Construction Information, design-risk management and Health and Safety File requirements.
• Experience assessing organisational capability, coordinating information between dutyholders and working within a construction, property, CDM or multidisciplinary consultancy.

Candidates do not need to have held the formal Principal Designer title. However, contractor-side inspection experience without meaningful client-side or design-phase CDM exposure is unlikely to be sufficient.

Additional desirable experience

• NEBOSH Diploma/Level 6 or progression towards one; CertIOSH/CMIOSH or Chartered progression; a relevant built-environment qualification; membership of APS, CIOB, CABE, RICS, RIBA, ICE or IStructE; and fire-safety knowledge or qualifications.
• Experience supporting ISO 45001, delivering H&S/CDM training, preparing fee proposals, managing invoicing and mentoring junior professionals.

The person

You will be credible across construction H&S and CDM and comfortable moving between sites, design teams and senior client meetings. You should be practical, proportionate and able to challenge unsuitable arrangements without damaging relationships. Clear communication, independent working, organisation and commercial awareness are essential.

Working arrangements

This is a home-based, minimum 40-hour-per-week role with reasonable flexibility, subject to client and business needs. Regular M4 Corridor travel, occasional head-office attendance, wider UK travel, overnight stays and additional hours may be required.

Package and benefits

• £40,000-£45,000 plus a £4,800 annual car allowance.
• 25 days’ leave plus bank holidays, potential birthday leave after probation and a non-contractual holiday buy-back scheme.
• 4% employer pension contribution after three months.
• Private medical insurance after probation, with family and dental options through personal contribution.
• Six-month probation, ongoing development and the opportunity to broaden CDM and Principal Designer capability.

Please contact Max Painter at Greys Specialist Recruitment.