Health and Safety Operations Director

Health and Safety Operations Director Midlands

£90,000 plus large company benefits

This well-established and highly successful civil engineering contractor has a reputation for delivering excellence. Working across the UK, they support clients on a diverse range of schemes within the infrastructure, commercial, and residential sectors. The group offers a superb working environment, with a strong ethos on investing in their people and rewarding well. Seen as one of the most prominent contractors in the marketplace, they offer comprehensive training, accelerated progression, and exceptional rewards, with their people being at the forefront of everything.

As they continue to go from strength to strength, they are seeking a Health and Safety Operations Director who will lead, manage, and drive the health and safety strategy across the company.

This role combines both site-based and office-based responsibilities, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory health and safety standards while promoting a proactive culture of safety across all operations. You will work closely with senior leadership and operational teams to manage risk, optimize safety performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

The role requires working closely with clients to ensure seamless integration of health and safety to achieve shared goals. You will be seen as a champion supporting strong client relationships through effective communication and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Development:

• Develop, implement, and oversee the health and safety strategy ensuring alignment with the group.
• Lead the creation and maintenance of health and safety policies, ensuring alignment with industry standards and legal requirements.
• Provide expert guidance and advice on all health and safety matters to senior leadership, managers, operatives, and employees.
• Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure the company remains compliant with evolving standards.

Risk Management:

• Conduct risk assessments across sites and business operations to identify potential hazards and ensure risk mitigation strategies are in place.
• Oversee the development and implementation of effective risk management programs to reduce incidents and accidents.
• Ensure all required audits, inspections, and assessments are conducted regularly to ensure compliance and continual improvement.

Training & Development:

• Support the Learning and Development department to develop and deliver health and safety training programs, ensuring all workers understand and adhere to health and safety regulations.
• Ensure all health and safety training materials are up-to-date and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Foster a safety-first culture through engagement, awareness campaigns, and the promotion of best practices.

Site and Office-Based Oversight:

• Split time between site visits and office-based tasks to provide hands-on leadership and support at operational locations.
• Oversee site-specific health and safety issues, including equipment, machinery, and environment-related safety concerns.
• Liaise with site managers and safety advisors to ensure operational safety procedures are being followed consistently.
• Address and resolve any immediate or emerging safety issues on-site and escalate matters as needed.

Incident Management and Reporting:

• Oversee the investigation of accidents and incidents, ensuring thorough documentation and root cause analysis.
• Develop and track metrics and KPIs related to safety performance, reporting to the board and regional teams regularly.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned are shared/communicated across the group.

Compliance & Audit:

• Monitor and enforce compliance with all local, regional, and national health and safety regulations, including the preparation for external audits and inspections.
• Coordinate and lead internal and external audits to assess safety management systems.
• Address any gaps or non-compliance findings and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead and manage a team of health and safety managers, coordinators, and advisors.
• Promote a culture of safety and high performance through mentorship, coaching, and regular feedback.
• Manage team development and training to ensure all members have the skills and knowledge required to support health and safety goals.

For your part, it is hoped that you will be NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent qualified with a minimum of 10 years of experience in health and safety management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Alongside this, an in-depth knowledge of health and safety legislation, risk management principles, and industry standards is required. Proven experience in leading cross-functional teams and driving change is essential.

You will possess strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, as well as the ability to assess complex safety issues and implement effective solutions.

Experience with safety management systems, incident reporting software, and data analysis tools, along with strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to safety, is necessary. The ability to manage multiple priorities, handle emergency situations, and navigate challenges with composure is seen as essential.

Preferably, you will have worked in a high-risk industry such as construction, manufacturing, or logistics and have demonstrated experience in managing safety on large, multi-site operations. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills are needed to effectively collaborate with senior leaders, external regulatory bodies, and site teams, as well as a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in health and safety practices.

Working between office-based and site-based work, with regular travel to operational sites, there will be a call for the occasional evening or weekend work to address emergencies or urgent safety matters.

You will be handsomely rewarded for your efforts with a fully comprehensive and generous salary and benefits package, together with unrivaled career prospects offering unlimited scope to influence the senior management team.

We are especially keen to hear from individuals who are perhaps just considering their next move – who are strong leaders at perhaps Manager level with a passion for the industry and the ability to influence those around you. Speak to one of our consultants in complete confidence to discover how this role might ultimately offer the most rewarding career by joining this progressive group.