Overview
Location
This role is field based (South Division) and our Support Centre is located in Coleshill, Birmingham.
This role requires a NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety and or a Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment as a minimum.
A NEBOSH General Certificate or an NVQ in Health and Safety is a bonus, but not required.
Why The Works?
We don’t just sell products.
We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.
The Works. It literally means everything. And whatever your story or background, we’re all about unlocking imagination and making creativity accessible to everyone. Whether you’re engaging with customers on the frontline or supporting our colleagues behind the scenes, your impact can be profound and far-reaching.
This is more than toys and books and art supplies. This is about inspiring people to read, learn, create and play. So, with the right passion, it all starts with you.
Become a Health, Safety & Fire Partner
As our Health, Safety & Fire Partner, you’ll take ownership of our Southern Division – supporting 250+ stores and playing a key role in shaping safe, confident environments for our colleagues and customers.
This is a highly visible role where you’ll influence how safety shows up day-to-day, bringing it to life in a way that lands, not just in policy, but in behaviour. You’ll coach, guide and build confidence across our store teams, helping them understand why it matters as much as what to do.
You’ll support the region through fire risk assessments, safety compliance checks, and hands-on training, making sure every store feels supported, informed, and empowered to do the right thing.
You’ll ideally be based in Southern England, with good access to our Support Centre in Coleshill, Birmingham – staying connected to both our stores and the wider business.
Your Mission
You’ll play a vital role in creating safe, confident, and thriving retail environments where our teams can do their best work and our customers can enjoy every visit.
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Champion safe spaces, every day
Carry out meaningful risk assessments, including Fire Risk Assessments, helping to bring our health & safety approach to life across our stores. -
Turn insight into action
Visit our retail sites and use our digital tools to spot risks early, capture clear insights, and recommend practical solutions that make a real difference. -
Keep our stores safe and ready
Your assessments will help drive action; from maintenance fixes to wider improvements – ensuring our environments are always safe, compliant, and fit for purpose. -
Stay connected to what matters
Apply trusted national guidance and translate it into simple, effective actions that work in our stores. -
Speak up and see it through
Where something isn’t right, you’ll confidently escalate and follow through – making sure actions are delivered to the right standard, every time. -
Build understanding, not just compliance
Support our store teams to truly understand health & safety, giving them the confidence to do the right thing, not just tick the box. -
Be a trusted voice externally
When needed, you’ll represent us with professionalism and confidence when working with enforcement authorities. -
Learn and improve from incidents
Carry out post-incident reviews, uncovering insights that help us continuously improve and prevent future risks. -
Think bigger than the task
You’ll look beyond the immediate issue – balancing safety, behaviour, and education to create lasting improvements in how our teams work. -
Partner across the business
Work closely with Store Managers, Area Managers, and our Maintenance team – building strong relationships and offering clear, practical guidance that supports great decision-making.
Skills/Behaviours That Will Set You Apart
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Full UK driving Licence.
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Recognised Fire Safety or Fire Risk Assessment qualification
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Experience carrying out Fire Risk Assessments.
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Full understanding of the current UK Fire Safety Legislation and the ability to interpret and use fire safety guidance documents,
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Have a working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and its ability to apply to retail store practices and procedures
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Able to compose written reports using MS Word & Excel programmes
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Self-motivated and organised individual with excellent attention to detail and time management skills, along with the ability to fully explain requirements and the use of fire safety measures.
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Willing and able to travel across the UK and Ireland, including some overnight stays where required.
Experience of working in a multi-site role
Desirable:
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NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent (or working towards)
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Experience of working in a retail environment.
Our PERKS really are ‘The Works’
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25% Colleague Discount! – Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
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MyWorks – Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more
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Family Friendly Leave – Enjoy some time well spent with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
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Holiday – 33 days including bank holidays.
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Holiday Purchase – Purchase an additional 5 days
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Can-Do Academy – Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development in areas that interest you.
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Stream – Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them – for when ‘life’ happens!
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Share Scheme – Unleash your inner Monopoly mogul and own a piece of The Works!
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24/7 support for you and your family – Through our partnership with the Retail Trust who provide an Employee Assistance Programme and so much more!
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Healthcare Cash Plan – To support your everyday healthcare costs
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And loads more! – Long Service Awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work and optional charity giving.
Our Purpose
To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play
Our Values
We are Crafty | Smart with what we’ve got.
We are Caring | Heart in every action.
We are Can-do | Energy that gets it done.
We Listen. We Care
Each year, we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey. This is so important for us to hear your feedback and suggestions. We want to know what’s going great, and what needs a couple of tweaks to help make The Works the best place you’ve ever worked! You’ll have opportunity to help give us that direction.
Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Applying Reasonable Adjustments
At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under-represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & members of the LGBTQ+ community (including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, or use another term).
We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working. And, where possible, we’ll try to support this. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview you might attend with us, let us know in your application and we’ll be happy to help!
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
