At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Health & Safety initiatives across exciting construction projects while promoting a positive safety culture.
- Company: Join a successful organisation committed to employee growth and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, car allowance, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across the UK and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace safety and wellbeing in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior Health & Safety roles within construction; NEBOSH Diploma preferred.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 23 October 2026
Department: Project Delivery
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Head Office
Reporting To: Andrew Simpkin
Compensation: £75,000 - £80,000 / year
Description
Are you looking to join a successful and growing organisation who are committed to creating a great safe place to work where all employees have the opportunity to contribute, grow and develop? We're looking for an experienced construction Head of Health & Safety to lead on all Health, Safety and Environmental matters and performance across our permanent, design and build, and turnkey projects valued up to £20m. Reporting to the Head of Construction GB Sales, you will play a key role in the senior leadership team, ensuring compliance, promoting a positive safety culture, and supporting the successful delivery of projects across the business.
This is an exciting opportunity for you to lead the delivery of HSE excellence across the business, ensuring compliance with all legal and company standards while driving a positive safety culture. Through proactive risk management, incident prevention and continuous improvement, you will help reduce accidents, share best practice and support the achievement of ambitious HSE performance targets.
Proven experience in a senior Health & Safety leadership role within the construction or modular building industry.
Role Details
- Annual Salary up to £80,000 depending on experience
- On-target annual bonus of up to 15%, with the potential to earn up to a maximum of 30% based on business performance.
- Car Allowance of £7,500
- Location – Home based with regular travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays.
- Permanent
- Eligible for Family Private Medical Scheme
- Annual leave of 25 days per annum plus bank holidays and opportunity to buy an additional 5 days each year.
In this role you will be required to:
- Partner with business unit leaders to deliver HSE action plans that strengthen culture, compliance and performance.
- Assess HSE risks and performance, developing and implementing improvement initiatives tailored to business unit needs.
- Provide proactive advice and guidance to managers and employees on all aspects of HSE.
- Lead and influence the adoption of safe behaviours and practices, supporting the development of a proactive safety mindset across teams.
- Oversee investigations into significant incidents within the business unit, ensuring root cause analysis is applied and lessons are embedded.
- Communicate HSE priorities and progress to the senior leadership team and wider workforce, promoting visibility and accountability.
- Provide expert advice on compliance-related projects to ensure safe and effective outcomes.
- Develop and deliver initiatives that reduce workplace accidents and improve wellbeing.
- Engage with external HSE forums and working groups to capture and apply industry best practice.
Our Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in a senior Health & Safety leadership role within the construction or modular building industry.
- Proven experience in leading HSE improvement plans with a strong track record of delivering results.
- Experience in the delivery of HSEW initiatives & improvements
- In-depth knowledge of CDM 2015 Regulations.
- Holds a NEBOSH Diploma (or working towards completion).
- Member of IOSH.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Educated to degree level, or equivalent experience
- Valid UK driving licence
Skills
- Health & Safety
- Environmental Management
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Communication
- Project Management
- Leadership
- Analytical Skills
- Problem Solving
- Auditing.
NOTE: If we receive a high volume of applications for a role, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than scheduled.
Benefits & Opportunities
- Contributory pension including life insurance benefit
- A range of dedicated health and wellbeing services
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Benefits Program (Discounts at 100s of shops, gyms, restaurants and even holidays!)
- Learning & development opportunities and resources
- A chance to give back to your community with two annual volunteering days
Head of Health & Safety - Home Based, Travelling Nationally in England employer: Portakabin Ltd
Portakabin Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Newcastle where collaboration and innovation thrive. With competitive salaries, generous commission structures, and 25 days of annual leave, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The supportive culture fosters teamwork and encourages individuals to excel in their roles, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Health & Safety - Home Based, Travelling Nationally in England
✨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 Portakabin Ltd, 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 Health & Safety - Home Based, Travelling Nationally at Portakabin Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Health & Safety - Home Based, Travelling Nationally in England
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 Portakabin Ltd
✨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!