Head of SHEQ

Head of Safety, Health, Environment, & Quality (SHEQ) The Opportunity

A leading nuclear services company is recruiting a Head of SHEQ to take strategic leadership of their SHEQ function. This is a director-level role - a genuine opportunity to shape SHEQ strategy, build capability, and drive cultural transformation across a multi-site, multi-project organisation operating in complex, regulated environments.

Why Now: The previous Head of ESH&Q has transitioned to lead international project delivery. This creates a leadership vacancy at a pivotal moment - the business is growing, strategic capability is being refreshed, and there's genuine scope to remodel the department structure if you believe it would improve performance and outcomes.

The Scale: You'll lead a team across multiple locations, overseeing quality assurance, health & safety, environmental management, and operational compliance. You'll report to the Board, shape SHEQ strategy aligned with business objectives, and drive cultural change that embeds safety and quality as non-negotiable.

What This Role Demands

Strategic Leadership You will develop and implement SHEQ strategy that is integrated into the business plan, not bolted on. You will contribute to strategic planning with the board, ensure governance arrangements support safe delivery across operational and project environments, and champion initiatives that embed SHEQ into how the business operates.

Department Ownership & Reshaping You will take full accountability for the SHEQ function and the team delivering it. You will build capability, lead multi disciplinary teams, and - critically - you will have the authority and strategic vision to reshape the department structure if you believe it would improve performance. This isn't inheriting a static function; you're building one that works.

Cultural Transformation You will drive a strong safety culture where questioning attitude, adherence to procedures, and continuous improvement operate as business as usual. You will shape behaviours, influence senior leaders, and build organisational resilience through learning and challenge.

Assurance & Risk Management You will ensure the business remains compliant with legislation and regulatory expectations. You will oversee assurance programmes, engage credibly with clients and regulators, and ensure ESH&Q risks are identified, assessed, and managed to ALARP. You will provide independent challenge while maintaining operational credibility.

Client & Stakeholder Interface You will act as senior SHEQ interface with clients and regulators. You will provide authoritative advice to the Board on SHEQ risks and regulatory trends. You will support bids, tenders, and major project reviews, ensuring proposals meet client and regulatory expectations. You will build strong relationships that support safe, compliant, high quality delivery.

Technical Communication You will translate complex technical, regulatory, and operational SHEQ data into clear, actionable guidance. You will communicate at all organisational levels-from frontline teams to the Board-with clarity and credibility. You will challenge poor thinking and drive evidence based decision making.

About You

Essential Experience & Expertise

• 10+ years in Health & Safety, Quality and Environment management - preferably with exposure to multiple disciplines
• Proven expertise in ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 accreditations and quality management systems
• Track record driving organisational change, including integration, restructuring, and capability uplift
• Demonstrated evidence of leading cultural transformation, behavioural safety initiatives, and embedding organisational learning
• Leadership capability to manage multi disciplinary teams across multiple locations
• Strategic thinking with ability to shape long term ESH&Q strategy aligned to business and regulatory expectations
• Assurance mindset - ability to challenge, verify, and provide independent oversight whilst maintaining operational credibility
• Communication excellence - ability to synthesise complex information into clear, actionable guidance
• Influencing and stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (Essential)
• Professional body membership in appropriate technical/safety body (Desirable)

Why You'll Succeed You understand that SHEQ isn't a compliance exercise - it's a strategic lever for business performance. You can operate at board level without losing operational credibility. You're driven by outcomes, not bureaucracy. You're open to challenging the status quo and reshaping how the function operates if it improves delivery. You balance risk management with operational pragmatism. You inspire teams and drive cultural change through influence, not just authority.

The Role in Context

This is a director level position within a leading nuclear services company with established expertise across decommissioning, waste management, consultancy, R&D, engineering design, site installation, and high hazard physical work. The business operates across multiple sites, manages diverse project portfolios, and serves complex nuclear clients with regulatory requirements that demand rigorous SHEQ leadership.

The role offers genuine opportunity to develop strategic SHEQ capability and reshape how the function supports the business. You'll have real autonomy to restructure, develop capability, and drive change.

What We Offer

Salary & Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus car allowance. Annual bonus structure.

Strategic Authority: Full accountability for SHEQ strategy and function. Authority to reshape department structure if you believe it improves performance. Seat at board level. Genuine influence on business direction.

Team & Scale: Leadership of a team across multiple locations managing quality, health & safety, and environmental functions on diverse projects.

Development: Opportunity to build capability, develop talent, and transform how SHEQ operates within a business that values continuous improvement and professional excellence.