Head of Occupational Health

Head of Occupational Health / Clinical Lead

Reporting to: Director of HR

Type: Permanent

Location: Huddersfield (HD1 area)

Sector: Education

Work arrangement: Mainly office (with potential of once every couple of weeks at home)

Grade: 8–9

The Head of Occupational Health provides strategic and operational leadership of the University’s Occupational Health (OH) Service, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, compliant and customer-focused provision that supports staff wellbeing, organisational effectiveness and statutory responsibilities.

The postholder will lead service development and clinical governance while maintaining hands‑on involvement in complex case management. The role also holds responsibility for managing external Occupational Health Service Level Agreements (SLAs), including established partnerships with local authority clients.

This is a senior “player‑manager” role requiring strong clinical credibility, strategic oversight and commercial awareness.

• Lead development and continuous improvement of the Occupational Health service.
• Advise the Director of HR on occupational health risks, trends and interventions.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and professional standards.
• Contribute to wider wellbeing and workforce strategies.

• Oversee day-to-day Occupational Health operations.
• Oversee daily clinics 9-4, vaccination and screening.
• Manage complex sickness absence, fitness for work and workplace adjustment cases.
• Lead health surveillance, statutory medicals and vaccination programmes.
• Ensure high-quality reporting, clinical governance and audit processes.

• Act as lead adviser on occupational health matters.
• Work closely with HR & Health & Safety.
• Liaise closely with wellbeing colleagues to provide a holistic programme of health and well‑being promotion and prevention.
• Support complex employee relations cases.
• Manage external SLAs, including local authority partnerships.

• Lead and develop the Occupational Health team.
• Manage budgets, resources and KPIs.
• Manage a team of nurses and an office manager.
• Drive service performance and continuous improvement.

• Registered Occupational Health professional (e.g. SCPHN (OH), Occupational Health Physician or equivalent).
• Current professional registration (NMC/GMC/HCPC).
• Significant senior experience within Occupational Health.
• Experience leading an OH service or team.
• Strong clinical expertise in fitness for work and case management.
• Experience of governance, audit and service improvement.
• Experience managing SLAs or external stakeholders.

Please apply for this role online or contact Abbie Carr at Spirehouse for a confidential discussion.

Spirehouse Recruitment is an equal opportunities employment business and employment agency. We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all individuals.