At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health, safety, quality, and environment initiatives for a top-tier transport company.
- Company: Join Keolis Gold Coast, a leader in public transport innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 12% superannuation, salary packaging, and flexible work options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and sustainability in public transport.
- Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in health and safety or related fields required.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values leadership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 Β£ per year.
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.
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 RTOβs Safety Management System as part of KGCβs Integrated Management System (IMS), ensuring rail safety, work health and safety and electrical safety risks are effectively identified, managed and monitored.
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.
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.
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 and 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.
Head of HSQE in Southport employer: Keolis Downer
Contact Detail:
Keolis Downer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head of HSQE in Southport
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and donβt be shy to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since Keolis values safety and teamwork, think about how your experiences align with their core principles. Be ready to share specific examples that showcase your leadership and commitment to safety.
β¨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in health, safety, quality, and environmental management clearly and confidently.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youβre genuinely interested in joining the team at Keolis Gold Coast. Letβs get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HSQE in Southport
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of HSQE role. Highlight your experience in health, safety, quality, and environmental management, especially in regulated environments like rail or transport. We want to see how your skills align with our values!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leadership, so donβt hold back! Share examples of how you've led teams, fostered a safety culture, and driven improvements in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and motivate others.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Donβt forget to submit your application through our website! Itβs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youβre considered for the role. Plus, it shows youβre keen on joining our team at Keolis Gold Coast!
How to prepare for a job interview at Keolis Downer
β¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Rail Safety National Law and Work Health and Safety legislation. Being able to discuss these laws confidently will show that you understand the regulatory landscape and can navigate it effectively.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in safety-critical environments. Highlight your experience in promoting a strong safety culture and how you've influenced others to prioritise health and safety in their work.
β¨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would approach the strategic direction of HSQE at Keolis. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance with ISO standards and improve the Integrated Management System across the organisation.
β¨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about your experience in stakeholder engagement. Discuss how you've built relationships with regulators, auditors, and industry partners, and how you would maintain confidence in safety governance at Keolis.