Head of SHEQ

Head of SHEQ
Peterborough Circa £90,000 plus car/car allowance and excellent benefits

We're supporting a leading design-and-build contractor in the UK water sector to recruit a Head of SHEQ, providing strategic and operational leadership across key frameworks, with agreed support to a wider southern division. This is a high-impact role, working closely with senior leaders, clients, partners and delivery teams to ensure strong governance, robust assurance and practical risk control.

The successful Head of SHEQ will:

• Provide visible, credible SHEQ leadership across multiple frameworks, promoting a positive culture and consistent standards.

• Advise senior leadership on SHEQ risk, performance, priorities and emerging issues, escalating where appropriate.

• Lead SHEQ planning aligned to client expectations, internal requirements and joint venture arrangements.

• Oversee assurance activity (audits, inspections and reviews), ensuring actions are managed through to closure.

• Lead, coach and develop SHEQ teams, supporting capability, accountability and shared learning.

The successful candidate will have:

• Senior SHEQ leadership experience within construction and/or major infrastructure delivery.

• Expert knowledge of UK H&S legislation and strong practical application of CDM.

• A recognised health and safety qualification (e.g., NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent) and professional membership (or working towards chartered status).

• Confidence influencing at senior level, plus willingness to travel regularly to sites and offices.

This is an excellent opportunity to shape SHEQ performance across high-profile water frameworks with a business that invests in people and long-term development.

Irwin and Colton is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.