At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety and environmental strategy in a dynamic transport organisation.
- Company: A leading transport and infrastructure organisation committed to safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, board-level exposure, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a purpose-driven organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety culture and business performance.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and safety expertise in a regulated environment.
A leading transport and infrastructure organisation operating in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment is seeking a senior leader to drive its Safety, Security, Health & Environment strategy. With a strong focus on operational excellence and sustainability, the organisation plays a vital role in connecting communities and delivering essential services on a 24/7 basis. You will join a forward-thinking business with a strong commitment to safety culture, governance, and continuous improvement, working closely with executive leadership and influencing at board level.
As Head of Safety, Security, Health & Environment, you will play a pivotal strategic role in shaping and embedding a proactive and transparent safety culture across the organisation. Reporting into the Operations Director with exposure to executive leadership and board stakeholders, you will lead the development, oversight, and assurance of safety and environmental systems across both operational and corporate functions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Driving a high-performing safety and compliance culture across all levels of the organisation
- Leading safety management systems, including incident reporting, investigation, and continuous improvement
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
- Acting as a key liaison with external regulatory bodies and emergency response stakeholders
- Providing strategic advice to senior leadership on legislative changes and risk management
- Delivering ESG reporting and performance insights to internal and external stakeholders
- Leading internal audits, inspections, and assurance frameworks
- Developing and implementing training programmes to enhance capability and compliance
- Supporting operational teams across a 24/7 environment and fostering collaboration between different functions
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring both strategic oversight and hands-on engagement with operational teams.
What you'll need to succeed:
To be successful, you will bring a strong blend of leadership capability, technical expertise, and stakeholder engagement experience within a safety-critical environment. You will ideally have:
- In-depth knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and security legislation across complex operational settings
- Experience spanning both operational and corporate environments (ideally across multi-site or infrastructure-based organisations)
- Strong leadership experience, including managing teams, driving change, and fostering a positive safety culture
- Proven experience working with regulators and external bodies
- Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including board-level interaction
- Strong analytical, reporting, and decision-making skills
- Experience delivering safety improvement programmes and managing audits and investigations
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
A recognised professional qualification (such as CMIOSH or working towards) is expected.
What you'll get in return:
In return, you will take on a high-impact leadership role within a respected organisation, where you can genuinely influence safety culture and business performance. You will benefit from:
- A senior strategic position with board-level exposure
- The opportunity to shape and drive a best-in-class safety and environmental function
- A collaborative and values-driven working environment
- The chance to work within a complex, operational, and purpose-driven organisation
- Competitive salary and benefits package (dependent on experience)
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Head of Health & Safety in Portsmouth employer: Hays Construction and Property
Join a leading transport and infrastructure organisation that prioritises safety and sustainability, offering a dynamic work environment where your leadership can make a significant impact. With a strong commitment to fostering a positive safety culture and providing opportunities for professional growth, you will collaborate with executive leadership in a values-driven setting that supports continuous improvement and operational excellence. This role not only offers competitive remuneration but also the chance to influence essential services that connect communities on a 24/7 basis.
Contact Details:
Hays Construction and Property Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health & Safety in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. 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 inside out. Understand their safety culture, recent projects, and challenges they face. We want you to walk in confident, ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've driven change and fostered a positive safety culture in previous roles. We believe that demonstrating your impact can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health & Safety in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Health & Safety role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant qualifications to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about safety culture and how your background makes you the ideal candidate for this strategic position.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Quantify your achievements in previous roles, especially those related to safety improvements and compliance, to grab our attention.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Construction and Property
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the latest health, safety, environmental, and security legislation relevant to the transport and infrastructure sector. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the rules but also understand their practical implications.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in a safety-critical environment. Highlight your experience in driving change and fostering a positive safety culture. This is your chance to demonstrate your leadership capability and how it aligns with the company's values.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels, especially board-level interactions. Be ready to share specific instances where your strategic advice made a difference. This will illustrate your ability to engage effectively with senior leadership and external bodies.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Prepare to discuss how you would handle incidents, compliance issues, or audits. This will help you showcase your analytical and decision-making skills in a practical context.
