Head of Health and Safety in Havant

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future. Portsmouth Water is seeking a supportive Head of Health & Safety to nurture our “Safety Always” culture and enhance excellence across all operations. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, with a dotted line to the CEO, you’ll hold a pivotal role in shaping how we protect, support and empower our people. You will guide our Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategy, developing and maintaining a robust Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) and delivering programmes that meet regulatory standards, reflect industry best practice, and enhance employee wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic health, safety, and wellbeing plan aligned with the company goals.
• Responsible for maintaining and developing our Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) built on the principles of HSG65: Managing health and Safety.
• Guide the strategic and tactical direction of the health and safety team.
• Carry out regular site visits and inspections, working with operatives at all levels to ensure compliance with regulations and promote a ‘safety always’ culture.
• Ensure that all incidents and accidents are reported and investigated to establish learning and improvement actions.
• Support to ensure that suitable and sufficient regular risk assessments are undertaken for all workplaces and activities.
• Guide, develop and manage Occupational Health and Safety input into reports, presentations, and briefings.
• Guide and manage the process of assessing Occupational Health and Safety performance and implement Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to control and mitigate risks, ensuring a safe working environment.
• Ensure the Exec, leadership team and supervisors are actively engaged in meaningful, positive safety inspections.
• Collate Leading and Lagging metrics on performance to identify trends and provide monthly performance information.
• Nurture a collaborative culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team and with our delivery partners.

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-directed, enthusiastic, and able to foster collaborative working.
• Proven ability to engage with Occupational Health and Safety stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels.
• Strong knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation, policy, and best practice.
• Proven project management capability.
• Experience of managing teams and professional service consultants, including management of budgets.
• Good creativity and analytical skills, with the ability to review and write health and safety management strategies, plans, policies, procedures and technical reports.
• Problem-sensing and decision-making skills with the ability to provide analysis, interpretation and root causes of events.
• Proficient in the use of Office365 applications including MSForms.
• Demonstrable practical experience in guiding Occupational Health and Safety management.
• Demonstrable experience of guiding a team.
• Risk management, method statement review, site inspections and investigations.
• CDM regulations implementation as Client and or Principal Designer.
• CSCS / NEBOSH / IOSH / SMSTS qualifications.
• Relevant Professional Membership.
• Full driving licence (applicants required to undertake a driver assessment).

If you are successful for the role, you will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks that will include a basic disclosure check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the national security vetting process for either a CTC or SC clearance check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon completion and receipt of satisfactory checks.

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.

Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

• Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15%.
• You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 15% of your basic salary, linked to company performance.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
• All expenses covered summer and winter social events.
• Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit.
• Confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Private Medical Insurance - provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare.
• Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Health Cash Plan.