HSE Manager

UpNext UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

UpNext UAE in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced HSE Manager to lead health, safety and environmental strategies across major projects. You will develop, implement, and maintain robust HSE programs, ensuring regulatory compliance and risk reduction.

The role requires a proven track record in large-scale projects, strong knowledge of GCC safety standards, incident investigations, and training delivery. Excellent English communication is essential; Arabic skills are a plus and GCC consultancy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant HSE experience within major projects or complex operational environments.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in UAE.
• Experience with a leading consultancy firm within the GCC region is advantageous; strong knowledge of OHS legislation and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal); Arabic proficiency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and improve HSE policies, procedures, and safety management systems.
• Conduct site inspections, audits, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with safety procedures.
• Provide guidance, consultation, and training to project teams to promote proactive safety awareness and incident prevention.
• Establish and maintain site-specific HSE programmes, including Safety Management Plans and Emergency Response Plans.
• Develop and monitor safety documentation, inspection checklists, risk assessments, reports, and compliance records.
• Lead investigations into incidents and near misses, implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation, environmental requirements, and industry best practices.
• Support the implementation of fire safety, security, and environmental protection initiatives across projects.
• HSE Management Systems; Safety Auditing & Inspections; Safety Plans & Compliance Monitoring.

Skills

English communication

Arabic language

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Safety/OHS or related

Job description

We are seeking an experienced HSE Manager to join a leading organisation in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) strategies to ensure regulatory compliance, minimise workplace risks, and promote a strong safety culture across project operations.

This role requires a highly experienced HSE professional with a strong background in large-scale projects, safety management systems, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance within the GCC region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve HSE policies, procedures, and safety management systems in line with UAE regulations, international standards, and organisational requirements.
• Conduct regular site inspections, audits, and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with approved safety procedures and safe systems of work.
• Provide expert guidance, consultation, and training to project teams to promote proactive safety awareness and incident prevention.
• Establish and maintain site-specific HSE programmes, including Safety Management Plans, Industrial Hygiene programmes, Emergency Response Plans, and Business Continuity procedures.
• Develop and monitor safety documentation, inspection checklists, risk assessments, reports, and compliance records.
• Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, implementing corrective and preventive actions where required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation, environmental requirements, and industry best practices.
• Support the implementation of fire safety, security, and environmental protection initiatives across projects.
• HSE Management Systems
• Safety Auditing & Inspections
• Safety Plans & Compliance Monitoring
• Emergency Management & Business Continuity Planning
• HSE Training & Workforce Inductions
• Regulatory Compliance

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Professional certification such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant HSE experience within major projects or complex operational environments.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in UAE.
• Previous experience with a leading consultancy firm within the GCC region is highly advantageous.Strong knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation, safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and verbal).
• Arabic language proficiency would be considered an advantage.