Head of HSQE

About Keolis

The G:link is operated and maintained by Keolis Gold Coast (KGC). Keolis Gold Coast is a proud subsidiary of Keolis Australia and New Zealand, a leading private provider of multi-modal public transport in Australia.

Some of our Benefits:

• 12% Superannuation
• Salary Packaging (including salary sacrificing additional superannuation and novated car leasing)
• Education and learning opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (for employees and immediate family)
• Reward & Recognition (including years of service, employee of the year, birthday celebrations)
• Health & Wellness Programs (including team challenges, Fitness Passport)
• Flexible work options (including Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave)

Our Culture

What makes working with us so special is our culture, one that embraces our KGC core values (We Care, We Imagine, We Commit) and shared commitment to the development of high performing natural leaders within the organisation. We are proud to recruit, train and retain the most talented professionals on the Gold Coast, who share our customer (Think Like a Passenger) and safety focused (Zero Harm) approach. Our staff are at the core of what we do, and by cultivating the right environment and values, we have an engaged workforce with a sense of team spirit throughout the Company.

About the Role

The Head of Health, Safety, Quality and Environment (HSQE) is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the General Manager and responsible for the strategic direction, governance and assurance of safety, quality and environmental management outcomes across Keolis Gold Coast (KGC), the operator and maintainer of the Gold Coast Light Rail (GCLR). The role supports the delivery of safe, reliable and sustainable light rail operations and maintenance services on behalf of the Rail Transport Operator (RTO), GoldlinQ. Reporting directly to the Keolis Gold Coast General Manager, the role provides assurance to the Senior Leadership Team and key stakeholders that KGC’s safety systems, culture and performance meet legislative, regulatory, contractual and industry expectations for rail safety, work health and safety and electrical safety.

Position Responsibilities

Rail Safety, Work Health and Safety and Regulatory Accountability

The role holds executive accountability for ensuring KGC meets its obligations as a rail safety duty holder under the Rail Safety National Law (Queensland) and as a person conducting a business or undertaking under Work Health and Safety legislation. This includes oversight of the RTO’s Safety Management System as part of KGC’s Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring rail safety, work health and safety and electrical safety risks are effectively identified, managed and monitored. The role also encompasses the maintenance of appropriate rail safety competency in accordance with RSNL Schedule 1, including the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to safely exercise influence over rail safety outcomes.

Integrated Management System and Standards

The Head of HSQE is accountable for the ongoing effectiveness and continual improvement of the IMS, ensuring it is embedded across the business and supports operational delivery. This includes maintaining certification and compliance with ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management).

Governance and Assurance

The Head of HSQE ensures governance, assurance and reporting processes provide confidence in system maturity and performance. The role oversees entity-level risk management, incident investigation, assurance activities (including audits and inspections), performance monitoring and continuous improvement, ensuring lessons learned translate into sustainable outcomes and improved safety performance.

Leadership, Culture and Team Management

The role provides visible leadership to promote a strong safety culture, behavioural safety and accountability across all levels of the organisation. It partners with senior leaders to integrate safety, quality and environmental principles into operational and strategic decision-making. The Head of HSQE leads and manages a small team of HSQE professionals, providing direction, mentoring and performance oversight across the organisation. While providing strategic leadership, the role also provides hands-on support to the team in day-to-day business activities as required, particularly during periods of increased workload, resource constraints or operational demand, to maintain continuity of effective HSQE support.

Stakeholder Engagement and Assurance

The Head of HSQE maintains effective professional relationships with key stakeholders, including the Rail Transport Operator, regulators, auditors and industry partners, and works closely with the GoldlinQ Executive Director of Safety and Risk to support aligned safety governance and assurance outcomes. The role provides transparent assurance, supports regulatory engagement and maintains stakeholder confidence through sound safety governance and demonstrated compliance.

Essential Qualifications and Competencies

• Tertiary qualifications in health and safety, quality, environmental management or a related discipline are essential.
• Experience in a Senior-level health, safety, quality and/or environmental leadership position within a regulated, safety-critical environment, preferably rail, transport or mining.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Rail Safety National Law (Queensland), rail safety governance, Work Health and Safety Law (Queensland) and risk management principles, and the ability to exercise professional judgement in safety-critical decision-making.
• Essential competencies include executive leadership of an IMS, accountability for ISO certification (ISO 45001, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001), strong health and safety leadership and cultural influence, people leadership capability, and the ability to provide credible assurance to senior leaders, regulators and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing incident investigations using ICAM or an equivalent recognised root cause analysis methodology, ensuring investigations are thorough, proportionate and focused on sustainable corrective and preventive outcomes.
• Regular On-call requirements.
• Work as a Rail Safety Worker including ability to meet and maintain required medical and health standards.
• Fluency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively engage with senior leaders, regulators, auditors and external stakeholders.
• The successful candidate must also be legally entitled to live and work in Australia.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience within a contracted rail operations and maintenance environment, particularly light rail or metropolitan passenger rail, is highly desirable.
• Formal rail safety or safety leadership qualifications, and experience working within complex contractual and operator interface arrangements will be well regarded.

Why this role matters

This role is critical to ensuring KGC continues to operate as a trusted, compliant and high-performing light rail operator and maintainer, with safety, quality and environmental sustainability embedded at the core of how the business operates.