Occupational Health, Head of Profession

Department - Specialist Roles

Location(s) - Cheltenham, London, Manchester

Salary - London: £77,123, Cheltenham and Manchester: £75,881

Job description

Flexible working: we recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance, which is why we offer flexible working options including part-time, job share and compressed hours. Please note, due to the nature of this role, home working will not be possible.

About Us   

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

The Role

Our Occupational Health team is currently facing an exciting evolution which has created the opportunity to welcome someone with extensive experience to join as an Occupational Health Head of Profession. You’ll oversee and implement all aspects of our Occupational Health service, built on the core principles of enabling our mission, ensuring legal compliance, risk management and driving the promotion of health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Working closely with the heads of Safety, Wellbeing and Workplace Adjustments, you will ensure we deliver a professional and joined-up service to all agencies. You’ll provide clinical governance to a team that delivers a range of services to employees across the UK and overseas and manage a variety of contracted clinical services. You’ll also oversee complex casework, ensuring clinical advice is compliant and framed to enable risk owners to make informed decisions.

You’ll be responsible for enabling continued professional development for the Occupational Health team ensuring core skills and clinical registrations are maintained in addition to leading the development of a career pathway for trainee Occupational Health specialists. This is a uniquely challenging opportunity where you can positively impact the people that are protecting the UK.

You’ll be employed by MI5, however, if you apply to work in Cheltenham or Manchester, you will be based, and work predominantly with staff, at GCHQ. You should expect regular UK travel and occasional travel overseas.

About You 

As well as being registered with NMC Part 1, you’ll have extensive, demonstrable experience working in a Senior Leadership Occupational Health role and a proven track record delivering excellence in a complex clinical landscape. You will have a specialist community Public Health Nurse (Occupational Health) degree or equivalent. A Masters’ degree (or equivalent) in Health Science, relevant to Occupational Health, is desirable.

You’ll have been working in a high consequence environment, within a senior role, such as the defence, oil or gas sectors and within a multi-disciplinary team. Your communication and interpersonal skills will be second to none, giving you the ability to engage with people across all levels of the business as you set the strategy for a cross-agency Occupational Health service.

Training and Development   

When you start, you’ll get an organisation induction to help you settle in. We are proud to offer an inclusive and supportive working environment. We value and nurture our colleagues both professionally and personally, and, just as you support the team’s CPD, we will commit to helping your continued development too.

From a wide range of courses in our internal training academy to the chance to build on your professional qualifications, we’re dedicated to making the most of your skills and potential. Our support includes funding for enhancing both your clinical and management skills.

Rewards and Benefits 

You’ll receive a starting salary of £77,123 in London or £75,881 in Cheltenham and Manchester, plus other benefits including: 

25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays 
Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme 
Dedicated Development Budget
Interest-free season ticket loan 
Excellent pension scheme 
Cycle to work scheme 
Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations) 
Paid parental and adoption leave