Senior Delivery Health and Safety Manager

A little bit about us

East West Rail is an infrastructure programme connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge, a region currently underserved by transport. We have a once in a generation opportunity to improve prosperity for people and places across the corridor. East West Railway Company was created by the Department for Transport to oversee delivery of East West Rail, from construction through to wheels in motion, ensuring the railway comes together in the right way.

Role Summary

The Senior Delivery Health and Safety Manager plays a key leadership role within the Health, Safety and Security function, supporting the Director of ETS and the Head of HSS in setting strategic direction, driving consistent standards, and embedding a positive health, safety and security culture across the programme and all delivery operations. The role combines strategic leadership with day-to-day management of the Delivery HSS team, providing direction, coaching and assurance to ensure health, safety and security risks are effectively managed and behaviours align with organisational values. Acting as a trusted partner to the Head of HSS, the role helps translate EWR strategy, guiding principles and the HSMS into delivery, influences senior stakeholders, and leads continuous improvement across the function, delivery teams and suppliers.

Function

The Health, Safety and Security function sets EWR Co's strategic direction for health, safety and security, working with the Director of ETS and Head of HSS to embed consistent standards and a positive safety culture across the programme and delivery operations. The function provides leadership, coaching and assurance across the Delivery HSS team, and works closely with delivery partners and suppliers to ensure risks are effectively managed.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Health, Safety and Security set strategic direction, translating priorities into clear requirements for the Delivery HSS team and ensuring effective implementation against agreed objectives and milestones.
• Act as a senior point of contact for health and safety matters, representing the function at programme, project and leadership forums.
• Shape and maintain governance, assurance and reporting arrangements that give the Executive team confidence in health and safety performance and risk management.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of the Delivery Health and Safety team, including workload planning, prioritisation and performance management, and lead quarterly performance conversations that set clear, measurable objectives.
• Coach and develop team members, building capability, confidence and professional competence across the function.
• Drive a systematic approach to risk management, strengthening assurance frameworks and embedding a proactive safety culture across the business.
• Champion positive safety leadership and behaviours at all levels, setting clear expectations and role-modelling the standards required.
• Maintain oversight of day-to-day Delivery health and safety activity across all projects, providing senior support and constructive challenge in managing incidents, investigations, audits and assurance activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior leaders, project teams, delivery partners and external stakeholders, providing pragmatic advice that integrates health, safety and security considerations into planning and delivery.
• Oversee supply chain compliance and performance, ensuring robust governance and consistent delivery of safe, high-quality outcomes across all suppliers.
• Represent the HSS team at key meetings and forums, including Working Groups, PMEC and industry forums, and build relationships with regulators such as the ORR, HSE and Network Rail.
• Promote and embed EWR's Safe and Secure guiding principles across the project lifecycle, acting as a role model and taking responsibility for your own and others' health, safety and security.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

• A background in a senior health and safety leadership role within a complex delivery environment, ideally in infrastructure, construction, rail or utilities.
• Involvement in developing and implementing health and safety management arrangements on large scale, multi-disciplinary rail and major civils projects.
• Skill in leading and managing teams, including coaching, performance management and capability development.
• Strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate strategy into practical, operational delivery.
• Experience embedding culture and behaviour change programmes.
• Stakeholder management and influencing skills, with confidence operating at senior leadership level.
• Sound judgement and the ability to provide balanced support and challenge.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations, standards and best practice.
• A NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management, or an equivalent qualification such as a Diploma in Safety Management (DipSM) from the British Safety Council, or MIRSM.

Desirable Criteria

• A NEBOSH General Certificate, or equivalent experience.
• Assurance, audit or investigation competence.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Knowledge of general health and safety legislation.
• Knowledge of railway-specific legislation and standards, including Railway Group Standards and Network Rail Company Standards, where applicable.
• Confidence using health and safety reporting systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future.
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days.
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones.
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it.
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards.
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Diversity and Inclusion

At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences.