Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Location: Bedfordshire + Site Travel

Salary: Circa £90,000 + Car / Car Allowance + Bonus + Pension + Private Healthcare

An established and rapidly growing groundworks and civil engineering contractor is seeking an experienced Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) to join its senior management team and take strategic ownership of HSE across the business. The company has experienced significant growth in recent years, increasing turnover from approximately £62m to £100m, with a strong pipeline of secured work and continued expansion plans. This is a genuine Head of Department position. The successful candidate will lead an established team of four Health & Safety Advisors and work closely with the Directors and senior management team to define, develop and implement the company's HSE strategy. The role requires someone who can operate strategically at senior level while remaining close to operational delivery, maintaining a visible presence across live groundworks, civil engineering and infrastructure projects.

Salary & Benefits

Salary circa £90,000, depending on experienceCompany Car or Car AllowancePerformance-related bonusPension scheme - up to 5% employer contributionPrivate healthcareDeath in service25 days holiday + Bank HolidaysHoliday entitlement rising to 28 days + BH with serviceFunded training and professional developmentExcellent long-term career progression opportunities

Job Overview

Take strategic ownership of Health, Safety and Environmental performance across the business, setting the direction and standards for the HSE functionDevelop, implement and continually improve the company's HSE strategyLead, manage and develop an established team of four Health & Safety AdvisorsWork closely with Directors and senior management to establish HSE objectives, priorities and standardsDrive a positive and proactive HSE culture throughout the organisationProvide leadership, coaching and professional advice to senior management and operational teamsMaintain a visible presence across live projects, ensuring HSE strategy is effectively embedded at site levelOversee HSE audits, inspections and incident investigations, including root cause analysis and corrective actionsMonitor HSE performance, trends and KPIs, providing clear recommendations to senior managementMaintain and continually improve HSE management systems, including ISO 45001 and ISO 14001Drive environmental performance across areas including waste management, pollution prevention, environmental risk and sustainabilityEnsure compliance with relevant UK Health & Safety and Environmental legislation and industry standards

Job Requirements

Previous experience as a Head of HSE, Head of Health & Safety, HSE Manager, Regional HSE Manager, Senior HSE Manager or similarStrong background within groundworks, civil engineering, infrastructure, earthworks, residential development or closely related constructionDemonstrable experience of defining, developing and implementing HSE strategy at organisational levelPrevious experience leading and developing HSE / Health & Safety professionalsStrong operational knowledge with the credibility to engage effectively with both site teams and senior managementNEBOSH Diploma or equivalent recognised Health & Safety qualificationCMIOSH or working towards Chartered status would be advantageousExperience with ISO 4501 and ISO 14001Strong understanding of UK Health & Safety and Environmental legislationFull UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites as required

About the Company

This established contractor specialises in groundworks, civil engineering and infrastructure, delivering projects for leading national and regional developers. Following substantial growth, the business continues to invest in its people, systems and operational capabilities. This appointment provides an experienced HSE professional with the opportunity to take ownership of an established function, influence at senior management level and shape the future HSE strategy of a growing civil engineering business.