Head of HS&E
Galliford Try · United Kingdom
Head of HS&E - Asset ManagementLocation: Flexible UK Location (with regular UK-wide travel)
Business Unit: Asset Management, Environment Division
About UsGalliford Try is one of the UK's leading construction and infrastructure businesses, delivering projects and services that create lasting value for our clients, communities and the environment.
Within our Environment Division, the Asset Management Business Unit provides specialist engineering, manufacturing, maintenance and asset support services across the UK. Comprising Lintott, Ham Baker Engineering, GT Fabrications, AVRS and GT Capital Maintenance, we offer a comprehensive asset lifecycle solution, from design and manufacture through to installation, maintenance, refurbishment and operational support.
Our Asset Management businesses play a critical role in helping clients maintain, improve and extend the life of essential infrastructure assets across regulated and industrial sectors.
Purpose of the RoleWe are seeking an exceptional Head of HS&E to join our Asset Management senior leadership team.
This is a significant strategic leadership opportunity, responsible for setting the direction for Health, Safety and Environmental performance across a diverse portfolio of specialist engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, maintenance and installation businesses.
Reporting to the HS&E Director (Environment), you will develop, implement and assure the Asset Management HS&E strategy, ensuring all businesses consistently achieve exemplary standards of health, safety and environmental performance whilst supporting sustainable business growth.
Operating across multiple businesses, locations and operational environments, you will balance governance, assurance and compliance requirements with the need for agility, operational effectiveness and commercial performance. You will be equally comfortable providing Board-level strategic leadership and hands-on support to operational teams.
Working closely with the Asset Management Managing Director, Managing Directors across the individual operating businesses, and senior leadership teams, you will help shape culture, improve performance and create a consistency of standards while recognising the unique requirements of each business.
What You'll Be DoingAs Head of HS&E, you will:
- Develop and implement the Asset Management HS&E Strategy, ensuring alignment with divisional and Group objectives.
- Lead the continual development of a positive, inclusive and high-performing HS&E culture across all Asset Management businesses.
- Provide strategic HS&E leadership across engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, workshop, maintenance, installation and field-service operations.
- Act as the principal HS&E advisor to senior leaders across the Asset Management portfolio.
- Balance governance and assurance requirements with operational and commercial realities.
- Drive behavioural safety programmes and initiatives that improve culture, engagement and performance.
- Lead the development of robust governance, assurance and performance management frameworks.
- Ensure compliance with Galliford Try standards, legal requirements and client expectations.
- Build strong relationships with clients, regulators, industry bodies and key stakeholders.
- Lead significant investigations and ensure lessons learned are embedded across the business.
- Drive environmental sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives.
- Support acquisition activity, business integration programmes and organisational change initiatives.
- Lead and develop the Asset Management HS&E team, creating a culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Act as the senior HS&E representative for Asset Management within the wider Environment Division and Galliford Try community.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Governance- Develop and maintain an effective HS&E governance framework across a diverse portfolio of specialist businesses.
- Provide assurance over performance, risk management, legal compliance and management systems.
- Ensure consistent standards and expectations whilst recognising differing operational models, customer requirements and risk profiles.
- Challenge and influence where Group, business and client requirements differ, ensuring practical and sustainable solutions.
- Lead implementation of Galliford Try HS&E initiatives across the Asset Management portfolio.
- Maintain and continuously improve management systems, certifications and accreditations.
Culture, Assurance & Performance- Drive the alignment of HS&E culture, leadership behaviours and risk management practices.
- Develop assurance programmes that provide meaningful insight into performance and risk.
- Lead performance monitoring and reporting activities across the portfolio.
- Use data, digital tools and business intelligence to drive proactive risk management and continual improvement.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, productivity and business performance through effective HS&E leadership.
- Monitor trends and implement targeted interventions where required.
Business Growth & Continuous Improvement- Support due diligence activities associated with acquisitions, mergers and business growth.
- Lead HS&E integration programmes for newly acquired businesses.
- Drive innovation and best practice adoption across the Asset Management portfolio.
- Ensure environmental sustainability goals are embedded within operational and strategic planning.
- Promote the sharing of knowledge and good practice across businesses and the wider Environment Division.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management- Lead, develop and mentor HS&E professionals across the Asset Management business.
- Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, operational teams and external stakeholders.
- Influence strategic decision-making through expert advice and commercial understanding.
- Represent the business with regulators, clients and industry bodies where required.
About YouThis role requires an experienced and influential HS&E leader who can operate effectively in complex, fast-paced and commercially focused environments.
Essential Skills & Competencies- Strong strategic leadership capability with the ability to influence at Board and executive level.
- Demonstrable experience balancing HS&E excellence with commercial objectives.
- Exceptional communication, engagement and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven ability to lead organisational and cultural transformation.
- Strong leadership experience developing and managing high-performing teams.
- Experience influencing across multiple businesses and geographically dispersed operations.
- Ability to work effectively within complex organisational structures.
- Strong governance, assurance and management systems expertise.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and risk-based decision-making abilities.
- Proven capability in developing and implementing HS&E strategies.
- Strong understanding of sustainability, environmental management and operational risk management.
- Experience using performance data and business intelligence to drive improvement.
- Strong Microsoft Office proficiency.
Essential Qualifications & Experience- Significant senior HS&E leadership experience within engineering, manufacturing, construction, utilities, infrastructure, maintenance or similarly regulated sectors.
- Proven experience operating at Head of Function, Senior Management or equivalent leadership level.
- NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 Occupational Health & Safety qualification.
- Comprehensive knowledge of UK health, safety and environmental legislation.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively throughout the UK.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience- Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH).
- Environmental qualification such as IEMA Practitioner, PIEMA, AIEMA or equivalent.
- Lead Auditor qualification.
- Experience working within multi-company, portfolio