Safety and Compliance Manager (Laboratory Environment) - 12 Month Contract


Location
Stevenage (relocating to London late 2027)
Hours
Full Time
Salary
Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits.
About the Role
The Safety and Compliance Manager is responsible for ensuring LifeArc's scientific activities comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and are regularly updated. This role actively promotes a positive safety culture throughout the organisation and monitors and maintains high standards of safety and regulatory compliance. Initially based at the Stevenage research centre, this role will transition to LifeArc's new London HQ around 2027. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the planning and transitional process for the research centre move and to continue in the role at the London office.
Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with regulations from the Health and Safety Executive and other bodies such as the Human Tissue Authority, Home Office, and HMRC. The role involves maintaining compliance calendars for license renewals, document updates, reviews, and regulatory submissions. The manager will provide strategic and technical health and safety advice across LifeArc and represent the organisation in interactions with regulators and inspectors. They will proactively influence and promote a positive health and safety culture across all LifeArc sites and serve as the appointed Biological Safety Officer (BSO).
Additional duties include developing, implementing, and maintaining a robust health and safety framework, sharing findings including incident metrics, training programmes, and safety documentation (policies, SOPs, risk assessments, guidance). The role also involves conducting safety audits, inspections, and incident investigations, generating metrics to assess risk profile and safety culture, maintaining legal and risk registers to support risk appetite discussions and inform senior leadership, and providing all materials and evidence required for internal or external audits.
Experience
Proven and demonstrable experience in health and safety compliance within a scientific or industrial setting, preferably pharma or biotech. Experience with Biological Safety Officer (BSO) responsibilities, Human Tissue Authority, Home Office licensing, and safety/ethics committees. Ability to review and advise on technical GMO risk assessments. Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and industry best practices. Confident in conducting audits, inspections, and delivering engaging training.
About you
Operates with high autonomy, finding creative solutions in health and safety and compliance. Takes ownership of the quality and delivery of own work. Understands the long-term impact of decisions on site operations, compliance status, and organisational reputation. Collaborates effectively with internal stakeholders including scientists, operations teams, landlords, and leadership. Excellent organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Qualifications
Essential: NEBOSH Diploma and Grad/Tech IOSH (or equivalent) qualification. Recent Biological Safety Officer (BSO) qualification.
Desirable: A-level education with further qualifications in science is preferred.
LifeArc
