At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and elevate Health, Safety and Environmental functions in a dynamic Defence division.
- Company: Join James Fisher and Sons, a leader in safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy early finishes on Fridays, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with clear career development pathways and global impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety culture and environmental responsibility.
- Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma and significant HSE leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of HSE to lead, shape and elevate the Health, Safety and Environmental function across the Defence division, whilst promoting a positive safety culture across all operations. In this leadership role, you will set the strategic direction for HSE—ensuring not only full compliance with legal, regulatory and corporate standards, but also fostering a culture where safety, wellbeing and environmental responsibility are at the heart of everything we do.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead the Defence HSE function, providing expert guidance to operational leaders, supporting delivery of the HSSEQ strategy and building HSE capability through strong leadership, coaching and engagement.
- Establish and maintain effective HSE governance, assurance and reporting, including ownership and continuous improvement of the HSE Management System in line with ISO standards and legal requirements.
- Drive compliance and continual improvement across all sites through audits, inspections and assurance activities, ensuring consistent application of Group and Divisional standards.
- Oversee significant HSE risks and high-hazard activities, ensuring critical controls are identified, implemented and verified, and support teams to manage risk across the project lifecycle.
- Lead incident investigations to ensure robust root cause analysis, effective corrective actions and the sharing of lessons learned to strengthen organisational performance.
- Provide HSE input across bids, tenders and product development, ensuring appropriate resources, competence and product safety requirements are embedded in delivery.
- Act as the key interface with customers, regulators and certification bodies, leading audits and representing the Defence Division at Group HSE forums and governance meetings.
What we’re looking for:
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification) and Chartered IOSH member (or working towards).
- Significant HSE leadership experience within a high-hazard environment.
- Strong knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
- Proven experience leading complex incident investigations and root cause analysis.
- Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders within a matrix organisation.
- Strong leadership, communication and change management capability.
- Additional credentials such as Designated Person Ashore are advantageous.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Why join us:
- Early finish on Fridays.
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, Company Pension).
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation and global operations.
Equal Opportunity: At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.
Head of HSE in Glasgow employer: James Fisher and Sons plc
At James Fisher and Sons, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive culture that values individual contributions. Located in Inchinnan, Glasgow, our team enjoys competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and clear pathways for career development, all while engaging in meaningful work that impacts safety and innovation across global operations. With early finishes on Fridays and a commitment to diversity, we foster an environment where every employee can thrive and make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HSE in Glasgow
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like James Fisher and Sons plc looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HSE in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at James Fisher and Sons plc. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Fisher and Sons plc
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with James Fisher and Sons plc’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
