Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality

A senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Head of Safety, Health, Environment & Quality to take ownership of an established HSQE function within a highly successful and growing contractor. The business delivers complex, high value projects across sectors including commercial offices, life sciences and data centres, working on some of the most technically demanding projects in the market.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Own and shape the overall HSQE strategy, aligning it with the organisation’s growth plans and wider business objectives.
• Provide senior leadership across the HSQE function, setting clear standards, expectations and priorities across the business.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, providing challenge and guidance on HSQE risk and major business decisions.
• Lead, develop and strengthen the existing HSQE team, building capability, accountability and succession across the function.
• Take overall ownership of HSQE governance, performance and assurance, ensuring senior management has clear visibility of key risks and areas for improvement.
• Drive a proactive approach to HSQE risk, focusing on prevention, critical risks and strong controls rather than simply reacting to incidents.
• Set the direction for HSQE culture and leadership, increasing ownership and accountability across operational and project teams.
• Provide strategic oversight of major project and operational risk, ensuring HSQE is considered from project planning and mobilisation through to delivery.
• Lead the organisation’s response to serious incidents and high-potential events, ensuring investigations drive learning and meaningful improvement.
• Oversee the development of the HSQE management systems, ensuring they are effective, proportionate and support the needs of the business.
• Provide leadership across Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, ensuring all areas are developed as part of one integrated HSQE function.
• Work closely with Operations, Commercial and Project leadership, as well as key clients and supply chain partners, to maintain high standards while supporting successful project delivery.

About You

We are looking for an experienced HSQE leader who has managed and developed teams and is comfortable operating at a senior level within a complex construction environment. You will need a strong construction background, with experience working within either a major/main contractor, MEP contractor or another large construction organisation.

You will be someone who can take ownership, challenge senior stakeholders and set the direction for HSQE, while also being comfortable getting close to the operation and understanding the challenges faced by project and operational teams. Most importantly, we are looking for someone who can lead people, influence the wider business and build on an established HSQE function, rather than simply manage compliance.

Qualifications:

• NEBOSH Diploma, Level 6 or equivalent senior Health & Safety qualification.
• Chartered or recognised senior professional membership, such as CMIOSH, CSP or equivalent.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 and how these systems apply within a construction environment.
• Relevant environmental or quality qualification would be advantageous, such as IEMA or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of UK health, safety and environmental legislation, including CDM Regulations.
• Proven experience leading and developing HSQE teams within a major contractor, MEP contractor or complex construction environment.
• Experience working across large, high value and technically complex projects.
• A track record of operating at senior leadership level, influencing stakeholders and shaping HSQE strategy across a wider organisation.

Apply Now:

If you’re an experienced HSQE leader looking for a role where you can take ownership, lead an established team and have a genuine influence on the direction of the business, we’d be keen to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation to find out more about the role and the business.