Head of HSE Major Projects in Northampton

Are you an experienced HSE leader with a proven track record of driving high standards across major construction or energy infrastructure programmes? Can you set uncompromising standards, influence senior stakeholders and hold complex contractor environments to account while maintaining a strong, credible presence on site?

Drax is looking for a Head of HSE - Major Projects to define, lead and implement the HSE standards across a portfolio of large-scale capital projects. Working alongside Project Directors, you'll make sure new-build and construction programmes are delivered safely, compliantly and in line with Drax's expectations.

This is a high impact role spanning complex, high-risk infrastructure programmes, including power generation, energy infrastructure and engineering developments. You'll set client-side HSE expectations for EPC contractors and suppliers, provide executive-level assurance and create the conditions for excellent safety performance across every stage of project delivery.

About the role:

Reporting to the Group HSE Director, with a dotted line to the Project Development & Delivery Director, you’ll lead the HSE agenda across major capital projects. You’ll work closely with project teams to set out clear standards, effective assurance and provide a strong on-site performance.

This is a broad, highly visible role requiring someone who can shape HSE programmes while remaining closely connected to delivery on the ground. You’ll provide leadership across a multi-project environment, ensuring legal and statutory requirements are met, risks are controlled and contractors understand exactly what good looks like. From pre-construction planning and contract requirements through to construction, commissioning and handover, you’ll embed HSE into decisions and delivery.

Key accountabilities include:

• Develop and implement the HSE strategy and delivery framework across Drax’s major infrastructure construction projects, aligned with corporate risk management objectives and safety expectations.
• Define clear minimum HSE standards from a client perspective, for principal contractors, EPC organisations, contractors and suppliers, and ensure these are consistently reflected in employer requirements and contract awards.
• Lead safety culture and behavioural safety initiatives that create a positive, proactive and accountable project environment.
• Establish risk-based monitoring, audit and assurance programmes, providing clear assurance to executive leadership, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Identify systemic risks, reoccurring themes and opportunities for improvement across projects, ensuring learning is translated into stronger standards and delivery.

Who we’re looking for:

You’ll be an accomplished and influential HSE leader with a strong track record of driving high standards across major construction, infrastructure or energy projects. You’ll have a proven track record of shaping HSE outcomes within large-scale, high-risk capital programmes and be comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments involving project teams, contractors, regulators and senior leadership.

Critically, you’ll bring a breadth of experience across the full project lifecycle – from the early development, pre-construction through construction, commissioning and handover. You’ll have worked across a range of contracting arrangements and be credible operating from the perspectives of the client, principal contractor and contractor.

This role requires a rare combination: someone capable of shaping HSE governance, providing robust and independent audit and assurance and providing a practical visible presence on site.

To be successful in this role you’ll ideally also have…

• Extensive HSE leadership experience across large-scale, high-risk capital projects or multi-project construction programmes.
• A proven track record of establishing, implementing and improving HSE standards across the project lifecycle.
• Demonstrable experience working within client, principal contractor, EPC and contractor environments, with a clear understanding of the accountabilities associated with each.
• Strong knowledge of CDM regulations, construction risk management and the management of high-risk activities including lifting operations, working at height, electrical installations, gas systems and commissioning.
• The confidence and practical credibility to engage with site and frontline teams, identify gaps between documented and actual practice and drive corrective action.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, with ability to constructively challenge at all levels.

Rewards and benefits:

As you help us to shape the future, we’ve shaped our rewards and benefits to help you thrive and support your lifestyle. If successful in this role, you’ll get:

• A discretionary bonus depending on company performance and PSP.
• Private Healthcare.
• SAYE (Sharesave): discretionary scheme from time to time.
• Personal accident cover.
• Group personal pension plan where we’ll pay up to 10%.
• Holiday - 25 days plus bank holidays.
• Reimbursement of the cost of your annual membership of one relevant and appropriate professional body.

We’re committed to making a tangible impact on the climate challenge we all face. Drax is where your individual purpose can work alongside your career drive. We work as part of a team that shares a passion for doing what’s right for the future. With Drax you can shape your career and a future for generations to come.

Together, we make it happen. At Drax, we’re committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their role. To make this a reality, we actively work to better represent the communities we operate in, foster inclusion, and establish fair processes. Through these actions, we build the trust needed for all colleagues at Drax to contribute their perspectives and talents, no matter their background.

How to apply:

Think this role’s for you? Click the ‘apply now’ button to begin your Drax journey. If you want to find out more about Drax, check out our LinkedIn page to see our latest news. We understand that you may have some additional questions about the role, so please email careers@drax.com and a member of the TA team will respond.