Head of SHEQ in Reading

A leading nuclear services company is recruiting a Head of SHEQ to take strategic leadership of their SHEQ function. This is a director-level role - a genuine opportunity to shape SHEQ strategy, build capability, and drive cultural transformation across a multi-site, multi-project organisation operating in complex, regulated environments.

The previous Head of ESH&Q has transitioned to lead international project delivery. This creates a leadership vacancy at a pivotal moment - the business is growing, strategic capability is being refreshed, and there's genuine scope to remodel the department structure if you believe it would improve performance and outcomes.

You’ll lead a team across multiple locations, overseeing quality assurance, health & safety, environmental management, and operational compliance. You’ll report to the Board, shape SHEQ strategy aligned with business objectives, and drive cultural change that embeds safety and quality as non-negotiable.

What This Role Demands

• Strategic Leadership: You’ll develop and implement SHEQ strategy that's integrated into the business plan, not bolted on. You’ll contribute to strategic planning with the board, ensure governance arrangements support safe delivery across operational and project environments, and champion initiatives that embed SHEQ into how the business operates.
• Department Ownership & Reshaping: You’ll take full accountability for the SHEQ function and the team delivering it. You’ll build capability, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and critically, you’ll have the authority and strategic vision to reshape the department structure if you believe it would improve performance.
• Cultural Transformation: You’ll drive a strong safety culture where questioning attitude, adherence to procedures, and continuous improvement operate as business-as-usual. You’ll shape behaviours, influence senior leaders, and build organisational resilience through learning and challenge.
• Assurance & Risk Management: You’ll ensure the business remains compliant with legislation and regulatory expectations. You’ll oversee assurance programmes, engage credibly with clients and regulators, and ensure ESH&Q risks are identified, assessed, and managed to ALARP.
• Client & Stakeholder Interface: You’ll act as senior SHEQ interface with clients and regulators. You’ll provide authoritative advice to the Board on SHEQ risks and regulatory trends. You’ll support bids, tenders, and major project reviews, ensuring proposals meet client and regulatory expectations.
• Technical Communication: You’ll translate complex technical, regulatory, and operational SHEQ data into clear, actionable guidance. You’ll communicate at all organisational levels - from frontline teams to the Board - with clarity and credibility.

About You

• Essential Experience & Expertise: 10+ years in Health & Safety, Quality and Environment management - preferably with exposure to multiple disciplines. Proven expertise in ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 accreditations and quality management systems. Track record driving organisational change, including integration, restructuring, and capability uplift. Demonstrated evidence of leading cultural transformation, behavioural safety initiatives, and embedding organisational learning. Leadership capability to manage multi-disciplinary teams across multiple locations. Strategic thinking with ability to shape long-term ESH&Q strategy aligned to business and regulatory expectations. Assurance mindset - ability to challenge, verify, and provide independent oversight whilst maintaining operational credibility. Communication excellence - ability to synthesise complex information into clear, actionable guidance. Influencing and stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels.
• Qualifications: NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (Essential). Professional body membership in appropriate technical/safety body (Desirable).

Why You’ll Succeed

You understand that SHEQ isn't a compliance exercise - it's a strategic lever for business performance. You can operate at board level without losing operational credibility. You're driven by outcomes, not bureaucracy. You're open to challenging the status quo and reshaping how the function operates if it improves delivery. You balance risk management with operational pragmatism. You inspire teams and drive cultural change through influence, not just authority.

The Role in Context

This is a director-level position within a leading nuclear services company with established expertise across decommissioning, waste management, consultancy, R&D, engineering design, site installation, and high-hazard physical work. The business operates across multiple sites, manages diverse project portfolios, and serves complex nuclear clients with regulatory requirements that demand rigorous SHEQ leadership. The role offers genuine opportunity to develop strategic SHEQ capability and reshape how the function supports the business. You’ll have real autonomy to restructure, develop capability, and drive change.

What We Offer

• Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus car allowance. Annual bonus structure.
• Strategic Authority: Full accountability for SHEQ strategy and function. Authority to reshape department structure if you believe it improves performance. Seat at board level. Genuine influence on business direction.
• Team & Scale: Leadership of a team across multiple locations managing quality, health & safety, and environmental functions on diverse projects.
• Development: Opportunity to build capability, develop talent, and transform how SHEQ operates within a business that values continuous improvement and professional excellence.

How to Apply: Send your CV outlining your relevant SHEQ leadership experience, your approach to driving cultural change, and why you're interested in reshaping an SHEQ function. Explain your understanding of strategic SHEQ leadership in regulated, complex environments. This is a confidential recruitment process. All enquiries handled in strictest confidence.