At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health, safety, and environmental strategies for a top MEP engineering firm.
- Company: Premier specialist in sustainable infrastructure with a £100 million turnover.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, flexible working, health perks, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible travel across the UK and Ireland with a supportive leadership team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety culture and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma, senior HSE leadership experience, and strong people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Your new company Hays Construction is working alongside a premier specialist in MEP engineering, building services, and sustainable infrastructure solutions. As an industry leader with a turnover surpassing the £100 million milestone, they are renowned for delivering high-value, complex projects and driving the decarbonisation agenda. Due to continued strategic growth and an expanding project portfolio, they are now seeking a visionary Head of HSE to lead their health, safety, and environmental function from their Banbridge operation.
Your new role As the Head of HSE, you will take on a pivotal executive-level position, reporting directly to the Technical & Compliance Director. You will provide strategic leadership and direction for the entire HSE and sustainability function across the business, transforming policy into live, embedded site culture. This is a highly visible role where you will manage a dedicated team of HSE Managers, Senior Advisors, and Sustainability Specialists. While the role involves oversight across regional sites, you will fully manage your own schedule and diary, providing immense flexibility over how and when you travel across the UK and Ireland.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing overarching strategic leadership for the HSE function across all regions, setting clear standards, priorities, and long-term performance targets.
- Championing a progressive safety culture, engaging directly with live project environments, client forums, and supply chain partners.
- Maintaining, reviewing, and continuously improving integrated management systems in full alignment with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 frameworks.
- Overhauling and leading robust internal and external audit programmes, driving detailed root cause analysis, incident management, and preventive actions.
- Advancing the group's sustainability and ESG strategies, establishing realistic carbon reduction and environmental targets, and tracking metrics.
- Directing the deployment and consistent utilization of key digital platforms across teams, such as 4P, Field View, and InnDex.
- Refining monthly executive KPI reporting to deliver actionable insights directly to the Senior Leadership Team.
What you'll need to succeed To be considered for this high-profile position, you must bring a proven track record of senior-level safety leadership:
- A NEBOSH Diploma Level 6 in Occupational Health & Safety (or equivalent).
- IOSH Membership at Grad IOSH level or above (CMIOSH is highly advantageous).
- A minimum of 3 years of senior HSE leadership experience specifically within the Construction, MEP, or Building Services sectors.
- Certified Lead Auditor status in ISO 45001 and/or ISO 14001, with a solid grasp of environmental management and ESG frameworks.
- Comprehensive working knowledge of CDM regulations and UK/Ireland health, safety, and environmental legislation.
- Strong people management capability with a background in mentoring and developing multi-disciplinary HSE professionals.
- Familiarity with modern digital construction tools and a full UK driving licence with the willingness to undertake flexible travel.
What you'll get in return This organisation treats its leadership team as its greatest asset, providing a sophisticated corporate benefits structure designed to match the seniority of this role:
- Leave & Flexibility: 30 days holiday (increasing with service) alongside autonomous control over your diary and flexible working opportunities.
- Health & Wellbeing: Comprehensive Cash Health Plan, corporate health checks, optical care, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Fitness Perks: Use of a state-of-the-art gym at HQ (or reduced gym membership rates outside of NI).
- Financial Protection: 4 x Salary Death in Service benefit and a formal Company Sick Pay Scheme.
- Professional Support: Paid professional subscriptions and continuous Training & Development Opportunities.
- Family Friendly: Enhanced maternity and enhanced paternity paid leave schemes.
What you need to do now 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 HSE (South Down) employer: Hays
Join a well-established ecological consultancy in Kent that prioritises work-life balance and professional development. With a collaborative team culture and a commitment to delivering high-quality ecological advice, this company offers meaningful career progression opportunities for ecologists. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and the chance to work on diverse projects across the South East and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HSE (South Down)
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Hays, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of HSE (South Down) at Hays.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HSE (South Down)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
