Head of Health and Safety

We are looking for an exceptional individual to lead our Health and Safety function, playing a pivotal role in creating a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment for our employees, contractors, and customers.

Affinity Water are the UK’s largest Water Only business with over 1400 employees across several sites. We’re dedicated to achieving excellence in health and safety performance, setting the standard within the UK Water industry.

As the Head of Health and Safety , you will report directly to the Director of Health, Safety, and Estates. You’ll provide strategic advice and direction on health, safety, and wellbeing matters to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and other senior stakeholders. You will also lead a talented team of Health and Safety Professionals, driving continuous improvement, cultural change, and industry-leading practices to deliver our ambitious health and safety agenda.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead and deliver the Health and Safety Strategy, supporting teams across operations and contractors.
2. Advise the Executive Management Team (EMT) and directorates on all aspects of health, safety, and employee wellbeing.
3. Drive cultural and behavioural change to embed health and safety improvements across the organisation.
4. Identify and manage risks to ensure compliance with the ALARP principle.
5. Enhance awareness and governance around health, safety, and wellbeing across the business.
6. Conduct site visits, inspections, and investigations, ensuring high standards of compliance and best practice.
7. Maintain certification to ISO 45001 and oversee regulatory audits and assurance activities.
8. Lead, mentor, and develop the Health and Safety team.
9. Monitor trends, prepare reports, and implement actions to address health and safety issues.

About You
You will have:

1. Ability to work 4 days around our business areas in order to be visible at Head Office and our strategic sites in the South, South East and Clacton.
2. A professional safety qualification (minimum NEBOSH Diploma) and full Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH).
3. At least 10 years of proven experience in a senior health and safety role, ideally in a high-hazard environment.
4. A strong track record of driving sustainable safety performance improvements through behavioural change.
5. Exceptional interpersonal, influencing, and leadership skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.
6. Experience with regulatory audits, incident investigations, and crisis management.

What We Offer

1. The opportunity to lead a high-performing team in a critical role.
2. A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
3. A chance to shape the health and safety strategy of a leading organisation in the water industry.
4. Competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

1. Salary £80,000 per annum.
2. Car allowance £5,535 per annum.
3. A generous pension scheme that doubles the contributions you make, up to a maximum of 12%.
4. Senior Management bonus.
5. Private Medical Insurance.
6. Holiday entitlement 26 days plus a celebration day.
7. Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Benefits.
8. Volunteering Days.
9. Life Assurance.
10. Further training costs covered.

Interview Process

1. 1st stage – Video questions.
2. 2nd Stage – Teams.
3. 3rd Stage – Face to face / Teams interview.
4. Final Stage – CEO and Director of H&S.

You can find out what it’s like to work at Affinity Water through our career site here where our colleagues share their career development stories and you can get a feel for our company culture.

Affinity Water recognises the benefits of greater diversity in our workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We are committed to building a more inclusive culture where every member of our workforce can thrive.

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