At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety excellence across major nuclear projects and influence programme outcomes.
- Company: Join Babcock, a leader in defence and nuclear infrastructure.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national safety and environmental standards.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in safety management within high-hazard industries.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead safety excellence across critical nuclear infrastructure that protects the nation. At Babcock we're working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
As a Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects, you'll provide strategic leadership across a portfolio of complex nuclear and defence infrastructure programmes. You will set the direction for safety, health and environmental performance across major construction and engineering projects, ensuring the highest standards of compliance, governance and continuous improvement in high-hazard environments. Day-to-day, you'll influence programme outcomes, shape safety culture across multiple sites, and provide expert assurance to senior stakeholders. You'll play a critical role in safeguarding people, the environment and critical national infrastructure, while further developing your leadership impact within one of the UK's most significant defence programmes.
- Leading the development and delivery of safety, health and environmental strategy across major nuclear capital projects
- Driving a proactive safety culture and ensuring high standards of compliance, governance and assurance
- Managing regulatory engagement with organisations such as ONR, HSE, Ministry of Defence and environmental agencies
- Overseeing audits, investigations and continuous improvement programmes across the business
- Leading and developing a geographically dispersed safety team while supporting project delivery and mobilisation
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
Essential experience
- Extensive senior leadership experience in safety, health and environmental management within nuclear, defence or high-hazard industries
- Strong background in major construction or infrastructure projects
- Deep understanding of UK health, safety and environmental legislation including CDM regulations
- Experience leading high-performing teams across complex, multi-site programmes
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with regulators and government clients
Qualifications
- Degree or Level 6 qualification in safety, health, environment, risk management or related discipline - Essential
- Chartered membership of IOSH or equivalent professional body (or evidence of working towards) - Essential
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee share scheme
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement. We are committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 14/06/2026
Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects employer: Babcock International
At Babcock, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects role at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site. Our commitment to safety excellence in critical nuclear infrastructure is matched by a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, offering generous benefits such as a matched pension scheme, professional development opportunities, and initiatives like Be Kind Day for volunteering. Join us to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to show that we’re genuinely interested in their work, especially in safety and environmental management within nuclear projects. Tailor your answers to reflect their values!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. We can help each other refine our responses and boost our confidence before facing those tough interview questions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing familiar faces from our community making strides in their careers.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in safety, health, and environmental management. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Head of Safety Health and Environment Major Nuclear Capital Projects.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a geographically dispersed team, it's crucial to demonstrate your senior leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've influenced safety culture and managed high-performing teams in complex environments.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your degree or Level 6 qualification in safety, health, environment, or risk management. If you're working towards chartered membership of IOSH or an equivalent body, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on board with our mission to create a safe and secure world.
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International
✨Know Your Safety Legislation
Make sure you brush up on UK health, safety, and environmental legislation, especially CDM regulations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules but can also apply them strategically in high-hazard environments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led high-performing teams in complex projects. Highlight your experience in shaping safety culture and influencing programme outcomes, as this role requires strong leadership across multiple sites.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your past experiences working with regulators and government clients. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed these relationships effectively, as stakeholder management is crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
Be prepared to talk about how you've driven continuous improvement in safety practices. Share specific examples of audits or investigations you've overseen and the positive changes that resulted from them, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
