Compliance and Health & Safety Manager – Social Housing

Contract: 12 Month - Fixed Term Contract

Salary: £28,500

Hours: 22 hours a week (2.5 days)

Location: Luton (agile working across our supported housing properties)

Squared is a not-for-profit housing association supporting communities across Luton and South Bedfordshire since 1962. We are a welcoming, inclusive organisation where people feel valued, supported and empowered to make a real difference.

The Compliance team plays a vital role in ensuring that Squared meets its statutory and regulatory responsibilities across its homes, hostels and office premises. The team works collaboratively across the organisation and with approved contractors to maintain safe homes, reliable compliance records and effective oversight of all compliance workstreams.

The service is uniquely placed and involves working across departments and functions on a wide variety of diverse activities and initiatives.

· Line manage and develop the Compliance and Health & Safety Partner, setting clear objectives, priorities and standards for the team.

· Provide operational direction and escalation support on compliance and health and safety matters.

· Maintain a risk-based work programme, flagging anything that can't be delivered within available capacity and escalating the resulting risk to the Head of Property Services.

· Build team resilience so key processes are documented and not reliant on one person, and promote a positive safety culture across Squared.

· Oversee statutory compliance programmes (fire, gas, electrical, asbestos, water, lifts, smoke and CO alarms and building safety), making sure they're delivered on time and fully evidenced.

· Make sure overdue or at-risk servicing, inspections, assessments and remedial actions are escalated and resolved promptly.

· Maintain a clear assurance framework so compliance performance can be evidenced accurately at all times.

· Lead and improve Squared's Health and Safety Management System and manage the Health and Safety Action Plan.

· Oversee risk assessments, safe systems of work, emergency arrangements, and accident, near-miss and hazard reporting and investigation.

· Coordinate the "Our People" workstream, including job role and DSE assessments, stress, lone working and links to safeguarding procedures.

· Develop the health and safety competence and training matrix with People Excellence, and embed safe behaviours through briefings, toolbox talks and team meetings.

· Support managers to meet their responsibilities, and consult and engage with employees on risks, controls, incidents and improvements across all service areas.

· Manage compliance contractors and specialist consultants, making sure scope, competence, performance and value for money are clear and challenged where needed.

· Procure or support procurement of specialist services such as fire risk assessments, legionella, asbestos consultancy and specialist training.

· Manage compliance and health and safety budgets, working with Finance on planning, cost control and business cases.

· Prepare compliance and health and safety assurance reports for the Leadership Team and Board, under the strategic oversight of the Head of Property Services.

· Coordinate internal and external audits, quality checks and regulatory engagement, and make sure follow-up actions are completed.

· Keep policies and procedures practical, proportionate and up to date, using performance, incident, absence and audit data to improve controls.

· Monitor emerging regulation and make sure Squared is ready for change.

· Provide occasional support outside normal hours if a serious compliance or health and safety issue needs escalating. This isn't a formal on-call role.

· Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as the service develops.

You'll be a confident, experienced manager who can balance operational detail with organisational assurance. You'll be comfortable challenging contractors, supporting colleagues and presenting clear information to senior leaders and Board, with a practical, proportionate and customer-focused approach.

You'll really stand out if you can demonstrate a track record of improving compliance and health and safety standards, rather than simply maintaining them. We're looking for someone who can confidently lead and develop a team, proactively identify and manage risk, challenge contractors to deliver high-quality services and turn complex compliance information into clear, meaningful assurance for senior leaders and the Board. Experience within social housing, alongside a practical approach to embedding a positive safety culture, improving processes and ensuring tenants, residents and colleagues remain safe, would be a real advantage.

At Squared, you'll be part of a values-driven organisation where your work has genuine impact.

If you're looking for a role where you can make a difference, develop your skills and work within a supportive and forward-thinking team, we'd love to hear from you.