Head of Health, Safety, Compliance & Assurance

Vehicle allowance

Company pension scheme.

Professional membership fees paid.

Funded continuing professional development.

Support towards Chartered status and advanced qualifications.

Role

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of Health, Safety, Quality, Environmental, Information Security and Corporate Compliance across a growing specialist contractor delivering complex projects throughout the UK.

Reporting directly to the Directors, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s governance framework, strengthening their compliance culture and supporting the next phase of business growth across Defence, Government, Critical National Infrastructure and commercial sectors.

This role offers far more than traditional Health & Safety management.

It is an opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, modernise assurance processes and build an integrated compliance function that enables safe, secure and successful project delivery.

Their teams work within some of the UK's most complex and security-sensitive environments, including Defence establishments, Government facilities, Critical National Infrastructure sites and operational commercial environments.

Responsibilities

• You will act as the principal advisor to the Board on matters relating to:
• Health & Safety
• Corporate Governance
• Principal Contractor Compliance
• CDM Regulations
• Integrated Management Systems
• ISO Compliance
• Information Security
• Risk Management
• Environmental Performance
• Internal and External Auditing
• Accreditation and Certification
• Supply Chain Assurance
• Training and Competence

You will work collaboratively with Directors, managers, employees, subcontractors and clients to ensure compliance is embedded into everyday decision-making and operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Lead and develop the company's Health, Safety, Quality, Environmental and Information Security strategy
• Provide expert advice and guidance to Directors and senior leadership teams.
• Promote a positive, proactive and accountable compliance culture.
• Ensure legal, contractual and regulatory obligations are effectively managed.
• Integrated Management Systems
• Own and continually improve the company's Integrated Management System.
• Lead compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001.
• Ensure ongoing certification readiness and continual improvement.
• Health, Safety and CDM Compliance
• Act as the company's competent Health & Safety adviser.
• Support the business in delivering its duties as Principal Contractor.
• Provide leadership on CDM compliance across projects.
• Lead incident investigations, corrective actions and organisational learning initiatives.
• Governance, Assurance and Audit
• Develop and deliver risk-based audit programmes.
• Lead internal and external assurance activities.
• Manage certification bodies, client audits and compliance assessments.
• Produce meaningful compliance reporting and dashboards for senior leadership.
• Information Security and Corporate Compliance
• Support the development and maintenance of ISO 27001 certification.
• Strengthen information security, governance and business resilience arrangements.
• Support compliance with Defence, Government and client-specific requirements.
• Maintain effective corporate governance and risk management frameworks.
• People, Culture and Capability
• Oversee competence management and compliance training programmes.
• Develop leadership accountability across all levels of the business.
• Build employee engagement and ownership of compliance responsibilities.
• Foster a culture of continual improvement and operational excellence.
• Requirement

You are an experienced Health, Safety and Compliance leader who combines technical expertise with commercial awareness and practical problem‑solving skills.

You are comfortable operating at Board level whilst remaining engaged with operational delivery and project teams.

You understand how robust governance, effective assurance and strong leadership can support business growth, protect reputation and improve client confidence.

Experience within regulated industries such as construction, infrastructure, telecommunications, utilities, Defence or Critical National Infrastructure would be highly advantageous.

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 Health & Safety qualification.
• Chartered IOSH membership or demonstrable progression toward Chartered status.
• Significant senior‑level Health, Safety and Compliance leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations and Principal Contractor responsibilities.
• Experience managing Integrated Management Systems.
• Practical experience of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• Working knowledge of ISO 27001 and Information Security governance.
• Experience leading audit, compliance and assurance programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel throughout the UK.

Desirable

• Chartered IOSH status.
• Lead Auditor qualifications.
• Experience working within Defence or Government environments.
• Knowledge of UK Government Security requirements.
• Experience with Cyber Essentials Plus.
• Previous responsibility for corporate governance and business assurance functions.
• Experience within telecommunications, infrastructure, civil engineering or secure communications sectors.
• Security Clearance

Current security clearance is not essential; however, candidates must be eligible and willing to undergo UK Government Security Vetting and satisfy the requirements for Developed Vetting where required by the role, project or client.

You will work directly with company leadership, support major programmes within Defence and Critical National Infrastructure, and help create the governance framework that supports future growth.

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