Head of HSEQ

A progressive and people focused principal contractor is looking to appoint a Head of HSEQ to lead its health, safety, environmental and quality strategy across major facade remediation projects. This is a senior, strategic role for a proactive individual who focuses on preventing incidents before they occur through robust processes, effective documentation and continual improvement. With confirmed work secured into 2028, it is an opportunity to join a stable, cash rich business that continues to invest in its people, its systems, its technology and the future of safer, better built environments.Head office is in Portsmouth, and for at least the next two years projects will be concentrated around Nottingham, Leeds and Sheffield, with travel required nationwide to support the wider portfolio. Projects range in value up to £22 million and include complex schemes across residential towers, stadiums, commercial buildings and public sector assets.The company has built strong, long-term partnerships with blue chip clients and is widely recognised for technical delivery on challenging and sensitive sites. Now targeting further growth, the business is scaling with purpose, aiming to exceed £50 million turnover this year. Backed by a listed parent group with significant financial strength, they operate with a modern, entrepreneurial approach while maintaining strong family values and a culture of trust, development and continuous improvement. The Head of HSEQ will play a central role in shaping and safeguarding this next phase of growth.Head of HSEQ Salary & BenefitsSalary: £70,000 to £90,000 per annum, dependent on experience25 to 30 days holiday plus Bank HolidaysHybrid working availablePension schemeProject bonus schemeCompany bonus scheme4 years death in service coverCritical illness coverTeam social eventsCompany events and supportive social environmentComprehensive in house and external training and developmentAccess to Udemy and other training platformsCharity fundraising daysModern office facilities including stocked kitchen and showerHead of HSEQ Job OverviewLead the overall HSEQ strategy across the business, ensuring it aligns with company objectives and supports safe, high quality project deliveryTake a proactive, preventative approach, using data, trend analysis and site feedback to identify risk areas and address them before incidents occurReview, develop and streamline HSEQ processes, policies and documentation, ensuring they are clear, practical, up to date and consistently applied across all projectsOwn and further develop the company HSEQ management systems, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, and lead accreditation and audit activityProvide visible leadership across all sites, carrying out regular nationwide visits to coach, challenge and support project teamsLead serious incident and accident investigations where required, ensuring root causes are understood and meaningful corrective actions are implemented and sharedProduce regular HSEQ performance reports and insight for the Board and senior leadership, including KPIs, trends and recommendations for improvementWork closely with Pre Construction and Design teams to ensure HSEQ considerations are fully embedded at early project stages, not just during deliveryDevelop and deliver a HSEQ training and competency plan for the business, including inductions, toolbox talks, specialist training and leadership coachingBuild strong relationships with clients, Principal Designers, supply chain partners and regulators, representing the business as a trusted and professional HSEQ leaderChampion a positive safety culture, behavioural safety initiatives and wellbeing, ensuring HSEQ is seen as a core part of how the company operates, not just a compliance functionHead of HSEQ RequirementsSignificant experience in a senior HSEQ, SHEQ or Health and Safety leadership role within construction, ideally with exposure to complex envelope, remediation or multi storey projectsProven track record of setting HSEQ strategy, improving systems and influencing senior stakeholders, not only managing day to day complianceNEBOSH Diploma or equivalent is strongly preferred, as well as NEBOSH Construction Certificate or similarChartered or working towards Chartered status with IOSH or a similar professional bodyStrong working knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, CDM regulations and best practice site management, including high risk activities and working at heightExperience of leading and maintaining ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 management systems, including internal and external auditsConfident communicator who can challenge constructively, gain buy in and coach teams at all levels, from site operatives to Board membersAnalytical mindset, comfortable using data and trend analysis to drive decisions and target improvement activityClear, pragmatic approach that balances legal compliance with practical, buildable solutions and commercial realitiesFull UK driving licence #J-18808-Ljbffr