Head of Compliance and Safety

Gloucestershire Hospitals; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Cheltenham is seeking a Head of Compliance and Safety to lead compliance and risk management across its services. This high-profile role involves setting strategic direction, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading audits/inspections. Candidates should have senior experience in compliance and health & safety, with relevant qualifications and membership. Join a vital team impacting patient care with competitive benefits including salary, flexible working, and development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary & pension (10% total contribution)

Generous annual leave plus a paid volunteering day

Flexible benefits and wellbeing support

Sick pay following probation

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in compliance, health & safety, or risk.
• Ability to operate confidently at senior leadership or board-facing level.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional membership such as CMIOSH or MIIRSM.
• Experience in healthcare or highly regulated environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for compliance and risk management.
• Ensure services meet regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Lead audits, inspections, and investigations.
• Provide expert advice and assurance to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Represent GMS with external regulators and auditors.
• Develop and support a high-performing compliance and safety team.

Skills

Senior-level experience in compliance

Ability to operate at senior leadership level

Expertise in health & safety

Experience in highly regulated environments

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience

Professional membership (CMIOSH, MIIRSM)

Job description

Closing Date: 12th January 2026

📅 Interview Date: TBC (expected week commencing 26th January 2026)

💷 Salary: Starting at £65,821 per annum, negotiable depending on experience

Gloucestershire Managed Services (GMS) is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance and Safety to provide senior leadership for compliance, assurance, and risk across our hospital-based services in Cheltenham and Gloucester.

GMS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GHNHSFT), delivering essential non-clinical services that directly support patient care. While we work closely with the Trust, this role is employed by GMS and is NOT subject to Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

This is a high-profile leadership role offering real influence over safety culture, governance, and compliance within a complex and regulated healthcare environment.

The Role

You will:

• Set the strategic direction for compliance, assurance, and risk management across GMS
• Ensure services meet statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations
• Lead audits, inspections, investigations, and risk mitigation activity
• Provide expert advice and assurance to the Senior Leadership Team
• Represent GMS with external regulators, auditors, and partner organisations
• Lead, develop, and support a high-performing compliance and safety team

You will bring:

• Senior-level experience in compliance, health & safety, risk, or assurance
• The ability to operate confidently at senior leadership / board-facing level
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
• Professional membership such as CMIOSH, MIIRSM or similar
• Experience in healthcare, NHS, estates, facilities management, or other highly regulated environments (desirable)

Why Join Gloucestershire Managed Services?

At GMS, we play a vital role in enabling safe, effective patient care by delivering reliable, compliant, and well-governed support services.

As a GMS employee, you will benefit from a competitive employment package, offering flexibility and development alongside meaningful NHS impact.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary & pension (10% total contribution)
• Generous annual leave plus a paid volunteering day
• Flexible benefits and wellbeing support
• Sick pay following probation

If you’d like to find out more, we can arrange an informal conversation or direct any queries to the appropriate senior colleague

Apply now and help shape compliance and safety across vital hospital services