Senior Health Safety Manager - HS2

Location: London (Euston) preferred or Birmingham | Hybrid working (3 days office-based)

Salary: London: £75,000 – £83,500 / Birmingham £70,000 – £77,500 + 12% pen & pkg

Next Step Future progression opportunities 4 Head of H&S roles (£100 – 120k + Pkg)

We are seeking a qualified Senior Health & Safety professional with experience delivering large, complex design and build projects across a broad range of sectors, including rail, civil engineering, manufacturing, utilities, power, nuclear, airports, stations, infrastructure, complex buildings, facilities, local authorities, and higher education.

This pivotal Senior Health & Safety role supports High Speed Two, the largest infrastructure programme in Europe, offering the opportunity to influence safety outcomes at scale across a nationally significant project.

Role Overview

High Speed Two (HS2) is seeking a Senior Health & Safety Manager to support the delivery of the UK’s new high-speed railway. This is a client-side role within HS2’s Rail Systems Alliance, a collaborative delivery model established to deliver nine major rail systems contracts under a design and build framework (track, power, M&E, Signalling, Telecoms, Over Head Line, Slab Track etc – each contract valued c£200m - £2bn).

The role will focus on providing senior Health & Safety leadership across 1–2 rail systems contracts, ensuring HS2’s health, safety, and occupational health standards are embedded throughout design and delivery. The initial phase of the programme is design-led (approximately the first two years), followed by construction and commissioning.

The Rail Systems Alliance is a unique integrated delivery model, bringing together HS2 and multiple rail systems contractors to deliver signalling, HV power, M&E systems, communications, and related railway systems. Each contractor holds an individual Design & Build contract with HS2, alongside participation in the Alliance to promote collaboration, innovation, and improved safety outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior Health & Safety leadership across assigned rail systems contracts
• Embed and role-model HS2’s “Safe at Heart” culture across HS2 and the supply chain
• Support Health & Safety by Design, identifying and reducing risks during planning and design stages
• Provide risk-based Health, Safety, and Occupational Health assurance throughout design and delivery
• Ensure compliance with HS2 safety standards, policies, and assurance processes
• Support and oversee investigation of health, safety, and security incidents
• Work collaboratively with contractors, designers, and HS2 teams to resolve issues early and effectively
• Use analysis of incidents, near misses, and working practices to identify trends and drive improvement

Stakeholder Environment

The role is based within a co-located, collaborative environment, working closely with multiple rail systems contractors, designers, and HS2 teams. Success in this role requires strong leadership, influencing capability, and the ability to align multiple organisations to common safety goals and ways of working.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in a Senior Health & Safety Manager role on large, complex design and build projects.
• Background in sectors such as rail, infrastructure, utilities, energy, nuclear, airports, complex buildings, manufacturing, or similar.
• Strong experience of Health & Safety by Design, including early risk identification and mitigation.
• Understanding of Occupational Health, particularly in relation to operations and maintenance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead across multi-organisational environments.
• Experience embedding and improving Health & Safety culture on complex programmes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Health & Safety qualification equivalent to NEBOSH Diploma, Chartered, Degree qualified etc.

Candidate Profile

Candidate may come from client, consultancy, or contractor backgrounds. You will be a collaborative, proactive leader with strong communication skills and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, integrated delivery environment.