At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety initiatives for high-performance data infrastructure projects and ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to safe and sustainable development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and a proactive safety culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in safety culture while working on innovative infrastructure projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in occupational health & safety and 10+ years of EHS leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Join a team defining the future of safe, sustainable, high-performance data infrastructure projects. As our Development Health & Safety Lead, you will champion and be responsible for safety, compliance, and risk mitigation across the entire capital project lifecycle, from design, initial ground-breaking and civil works through to structural build, MEP installation, and testing & commissioning. Your primary mission is to embed a world-class safety culture across our development sites, ensuring all projects are delivered entirely incident-free.
What we are looking for:
- A degree educated professional with a proven track record in the delivery of large scale commercial or industrial projects with international workforces.
- A passion for continuous improvement in all aspects of EHS within and outside projects, with extensive hands-on experience managing large-scale build safety for critical infrastructure or heavy industrial developments.
Policy/Project Planning and Risk Management:
- Develop and implement construction EHS policies, project safety plans, and field procedures to ensure compliance with Verne and customer standards.
- Oversee project hazard analyses, risk assessments, and regular site inspections to proactively identify and mitigate safety concerns.
- Review, optimize and enforce strict risk mitigation strategies specific to high-risk build activities, including heavy lifting operations, structural works, working at heights, excavation works, temporary works and commissioning works.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure strict adherence to all local construction regulations and relevant EU safety directives.
- Manage the tracking and ongoing maintenance of all essential construction-related H&S permits, environmental licenses, and project documentation.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for external regulatory bodies during construction site inspections, audits, and official inquiries.
- Demonstrate strong working knowledge of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems within a capital project delivery context.
Incident Management & Prevention:
- Provide end-to-end construction incident management support, leading comprehensive investigations for all on-site accidents, near-misses, and safety observations alongside local teams and principal contractors.
- Conduct thorough Root Cause Analyses reports and partner with engineering and construction teams to implement and track robust Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPA) to full closure.
Training & Safety Culture:
- Working with project stakeholders, design, deliver, and continuously optimize construction site EHS inductions, specialized safety briefings, and toolbox talk frameworks.
- Foster a proactive, No-Blame behavioural safety culture on site rooted in transparent reporting, empowering every contractor and worker with Stop Work Authority.
- Coordinate on-site construction safety committees and align project leadership with field safety representatives.
Contractor & Vendor Safety:
- Lead the safety pre-qualification, review, and approval process for principal contractors, vendors, and specialized construction partners.
- Audit and approve contractor Construction Phase Plans, where applicable RAMS and site-specific Permit-to-Work protocols.
- Enforce strict competency and training verification gates for all on-site construction personnel and contractors before works commence.
- Conduct regular safety walks, behavioural safety audits, and formal evaluations of contractor activities to maintain an uncompromising standard of site safety.
Operational handover:
- Lead the safety component of the testing, commissioning, and final handover phases, ensuring a clean, thoroughly documented transition to the Operations team.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in occupational health & safety or higher.
- Bolt on additional EHS qualifications.
- 10+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience within large-scale industrial construction, hyperscale data centre builds, high-tech manufacturing developments, or critical infrastructure projects.
- Deep understanding of construction safety laws, example CDM 2015 (UK) and wider EU/Nordic construction health and safety directives.
Health & Safety Lead - Development in London employer: Verne Global
Verne is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive working environment in the heart of London. As part of a fast-growing, private equity-backed company, employees benefit from competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to collaborate with a talented international team. The culture prioritises innovation and operational excellence, making it an ideal place for IT Security Engineers looking to make a meaningful impact in their field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Health & Safety Lead - Development in London
✨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 Verne Global, 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 Health & Safety Lead - Development at Verne Global.
We think you need these skills to ace Health & Safety Lead - Development in London
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 Verne Global
✨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!
