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- Tasks: Lead and develop a robust Health & Safety culture across operations in the Eastern region.
- Company: Join Bridges, a top-rated workplace dedicated to health, safety, and well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, health plans, and excellent training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety in high-risk engineering projects.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma and strong knowledge of electrical safety required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with great career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The SHEQ Manager (East) is responsible for leading, developing, and embedding a robust Health, Safety, Environmental and Wellbeing (HSE&W) culture across all operations in the Eastern region. The role ensures full compliance with statutory obligations, client standards, and company policies, while proactively driving continual improvement in safety performance across electrical engineering works within the water and wastewater sector.
This role provides strategic leadership, expert guidance, and operational oversight for all H&S matters, supporting safe delivery of projects involving high-risk electrical, mechanical, and confined-space activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership & Strategy
- Develop and implement the regional Health & Safety strategy aligned with company objectives and industry best practice.
- Act as the senior H&S authority for the East region, providing visible leadership and promoting a positive safety culture.
- Advise senior management on H&S risks, trends, and performance, including board-level reporting.
- Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with all relevant UK legislation, including but not limited to: Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations, Electricity at Work Regulations, Confined Spaces Regulations, COSHH.
- Maintain and continually improve the company's H&S management system (e.g. ISO 45001).
- Lead external audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.
- Operational Oversight
- Provide expert H&S support to live water and wastewater projects, including electrical installation and commissioning, control panels and LV systems, pumping stations and treatment works, confined spaces and hazardous environments, civil works.
- Review and approve risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), and safe systems of work.
- Ensure contractor and supply chain compliance with company and client H&S requirements.
- Incident Management & Assurance
- Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions implemented.
- Monitor H&S performance metrics, trends, and leading indicators.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and improve behavioural safety.
- Training & Competence
- Oversee regional H&S training needs analysis and delivery, ensuring workforce competence.
- Support development of site managers, engineers, and supervisors in H&S leadership.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary H&S interface with water utility clients, regulators, and principal contractors.
- Support tender submissions and pre-qualification processes with H&S input.
- Build strong working relationships with operational teams and client H&S representatives.
Requirements:
- Essential
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification).
- Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of electrical safety, high-risk activities, and CDM.
- Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and operational teams.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regionally.
- Desirable
- Experience working with major UK water authorities or framework contracts.
- ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification.
- Environmental management knowledge (ISO 14001).
- Experience leading multi-site or regional H&S teams.
Key Competencies:
- Strategic leadership and decision-making.
- Strong communication and influencing skills.
- Practical, solutions-focused approach.
- High level of integrity and professionalism.
- Ability to balance compliance with operational delivery.
Benefits:
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BRIDGES: RoSPA Gold Medal winner, Bridges - is an excellent company to work for and a great place to develop your career. Our goal is to exceed the very highest standards and ensure our people work in a culture of health, safety and well-being.
We are currently holders of the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, which reinforces our commitment to supporting the armed forces community. We are a family-run business with a friendly and welcoming culture, and we are dedicated to helping our employees learn, develop, and achieve success - along with us and throughout their careers.
Bridges also offers an excellent benefits package:
- Competitive salaries.
- Health cash plan with Healthshield.
- Standard Life Pension Scheme - 5% company contribution.
- Life Assurance Scheme.
- Employee Discount Scheme.
- Bike 2 Work scheme.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Employee referral scheme - £1,000 if you successfully introduce someone.
- Employee recognition schemes.
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay.
When you join us, you'll be part of our exciting journey. Wherever your journey begins with us, through mutual engagement, we'll make sure you are supported and invested in. We believe in ‘team bridges’ and leadership at all levels with our guiding principles: Safe People, Happy People, Sustainable Business.
Come and be part of our team! Bridges is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to ensuring equality and diversity within the workplace.
Head of Health & Safety (East) in Maidstone employer: Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner
Contact Detail:
Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health & Safety (East) in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to health and safety. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and demonstrate your expertise effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health & Safety (East) in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in health and safety, especially in high-risk environments. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Bridges!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of Health & Safety, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Use your application to share examples of how you've influenced teams and driven safety culture in previous roles. We love seeing proactive candidates!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridges - Trusted Intelligent Engineering Partner
✨Know Your HSE&W Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Health, Safety, Environmental and Wellbeing practices. Brush up on relevant legislation like the Health and Safety at Work Act and CDM Regulations. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re serious about compliance and safety.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Health & Safety, you’ll need to demonstrate strong leadership. Prepare examples of how you’ve influenced senior stakeholders or led teams in previous roles. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference in safety culture or performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific H&S scenarios, such as an incident investigation or compliance audit. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with Their Values
Bridges values a positive safety culture and employee well-being. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’re a good cultural fit.
