Job Details

Position: Head of SHEQ

Location: Stalybridge, Derby or Glasgow with travel to regional offices as required

Salary: -90-110k (neg DOE), car/allowance, bonus and excellent benefits package

Our Client: Is an integrated design and build solution provider operating in the water sector. They have over 1,400 staff working across eight regional centres, primarily supporting eight long term water sector frameworks operating both on their own and increasingly in JV's and alliances.

The Role: Work directly with Regional Senior Leadership Teams and as the principal link between Regional Heads of SHEQ, the SHEQ & Sustainability Director and the wider business. Work across the Severn Trent, United Utilities, Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water frameworks, the role will influence regional strategy, governance, performance and material risk decisions, ensuring SHEQ priorities support safe, compliant and successful business delivery.

Responsibilities: Provide clear, consistent SHEQ strategic direction across the Northern Division and to specific Regional Senior Leadership Teams, ensuring SHEQ governance, performance and material risk are integral to strategic and operational decision-making.

Provide clear, evidence-based insight and constructive challenge on regional performance, emerging risk, assurance findings and improvement priorities.

Support, coach and enable Regional Heads of SHEQ to lead their functions effectively, retaining appropriate regional autonomy while operating within clear business standards, delegated authority and governance expectations.

Set and maintain the divisional SHEQ governance framework, including accountabilities, reporting, assurance and escalation routes.

Lead the development and oversight of divisional and regional SHEQ plans aligned with business strategy, client expectations, joint venture arrangements and legal obligations.

Establish a consistent performance management rhythm across the division, using leading and lagging indicators, assurance intelligence, incident learning and operational insight to identify trends, test control effectiveness and direct improvement.

Direct a proportionate, risk-based programme of assurance, audit and review, ensuring findings are prioritised, ownership remains with the relevant region, and actions are closed effectively and sustainably.

Promote consistent application and continual improvement of our client's and relevant joint venture management systems, while allowing regions flexibility in how compliant outcomes are achieved.

Provide senior oversight and support for significant incidents, regulatory matters and material client concerns, ensuring proportionate escalation, robust learning and effective corrective action.

Build senior relationships with clients, joint venture partners, regulators and the supply chain, representing our client professionally and supporting Regional Heads of SHEQ on complex or strategically important matters.

Support the SHEQ & Sustainability Director in shaping and delivering the functional strategy, governance agenda, business plan and executive reporting.

Contribute to wider business priorities beyond the Northern Division, leading or supporting cross-divisional initiatives, sharing learning and providing senior SHEQ capacity where required.

Develop a strong community of Regional Heads of SHEQ and their teams, promoting collaboration, consistent professional standards, succession, talent development and efficient deployment of specialist capability.

Prepare and present concise, decision-focused performance reports, recommendations and escalations to Regional SLTs, the SHEQ Director, executive leaders, clients and governance forums.

Experience: Essential:

Substantial senior SHEQ leadership experience within UK construction, infrastructure or utilities, including responsibility across large, complex projects, programmes or multiple frameworks.

Proven ability to influence executive, divisional, client and joint venture leaders and to provide pragmatic, risk-based advice that enables delivery.

Demonstrable leadership of multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed SHEQ teams.

Expert knowledge of current UK health and safety legislation, CDM Regulations, relevant HSE guidance and recognised construction good practice.

Strong working knowledge of environmental, quality and sustainability obligations and their integration within operational management systems.

Practical experience of ISO 45001 and externally certified integrated management systems, assurance and continual improvement.

Formal occupational safety and health qualification at diploma, degree or equivalent level.

Chartered membership of IOSH (or working towards) or equivalent senior professional standing.

Current full driving licence and appropriate CSCS card.

Desirable:

Senior leadership experience in the water sector and within JV or multi-partner delivery environments.

Knowledge of infrastructure, non-infrastructure and process safety risks relevant to water and wastewater operations.

Experience of overseeing projects or programmes valued at -100m or more.

Key Words:

Head of SHEQ

SHEQ Director

SHEQ Lead

Health & Safety

Construction

Infrastructure

Water Treatment

Water Sector

Water Industry

Clean Water

Wastewater

Waste Water

Utilities

Sewage

Power Generation

Power Sector

CMIOSH

SHEQ Strategy

Governance