Head of HSE

Adecco Group; Australia; Remote; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Adecco Group Australia is seeking a Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) to lead the development and execution of safety, workcover and injury management strategies across our Australian operations. You will ensure compliance with national regulations, foster a culture of safety excellence, and support wellbeing for all employees.

Reporting to the SVP and supervising WC & Injury Manager and WHS Manager, you will build a high-performing team, partner with insurers and authorities, and

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety or Injury Management.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior safety, workers’ compensation and injury management role.
• Experience leading a safety management system and cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of national OHS legislation and WorkSafe/Workcover frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead nationwide safety, workers' compensation, and injury management policies.
• Drive a proactive safety culture through training and leadership engagement.
• Lead risk assessment and mitigation across sites, including host sites.
• Oversee claims management processes and liaise with insurers and authorities.
• Ensure ISO45001 obligations are met and audits drive compliance.
• Build and lead a high-performing safety team and collaborate with HR and operations.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Safety culture

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety or Injury Management

Diploma WHS / OHS

Graduate Diploma in Social Psychology, Risk

Certificate in Return-to-Work

Job description

• The Head of HS&E reports directly to the SVP, Adecco Australia
• Directly supervises the WC & Injury Manager and WHS Manager

To lead and drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of safety, Workcover, and injury management strategies across the organization. This role ensures compliance with national regulations, fosters a culture of safety excellence, and promotes effective injury management and workers' compensation practices to minimize risk and support the well-being of employees. This role is responsible for supporting all parts of The Adecco Group, (Adecco, Akkodis, LHH, DFR et al.)

About Us

We are the world’s leading recruitment agency with more than 32,000 passionate full-time employees in thousands of branches across 60 countries. We are committed to connecting organizations with the talent needed to succeed.
In Australia, our network of offices across the country allows us to support you no matter where you are. Our local teams understand the Australian market and are busy connecting people with jobs and jobs with people every day.
Every year in Australia alone, we help thousands of people get into exciting new careers. At any given time, we have over 2,500 temporary employees working for us and each year we place more than 1000 people into full-time permanent roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage the company’s national safety, WC, Injury Management and return-to-work policies, procedures, and frameworks in alignment with legislative requirements and industry best practices.
• Drive a proactive safety culture through training, awareness campaigns, and leadership engagement with internal and external stakeholder.
• Lead risk assessment and mitigation activities to ensure a safe working environment across all sites (including host sites).
• Monitor and report on safety performance metrics and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Oversee the management of workers’ compensation claims and recoveries, ensuring compliance with Workcover regulations across all states and territories.
• Partner with external insurers, legal teams, and Workcover authorities to optimise claims management processes and outcomes.
• Analyse Workcover trends and implement strategies to reduce claims costs and improve return-to-work outcomes.
• Provide expert advice and support to managers and employees on injury management, rehabilitation, and workplace adjustments.
• Collaborate with medical professionals, insurers, and internal stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective injury recovery processes
• Ensure compliance with all relevant occupational health and safety (OHS) laws, Workcover regulations, and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare comprehensive reports on safety, claims, and injury management performance.
• Collaborate with the Internal Compliance and Audit Teams to conduct / complete internal and external audits related to safety and Workcover compliance.
• Ensure ISO45001 obligations are met in collaboration with, and governance and support from, the Adecco Group’s Governance, Risk and Compliance Manager
• Build and lead a high‑performing team to execute safety, Workcover, and injury management initiatives.
• Collaborate with HR, Operations, delivery and other key stakeholders to integrate safety and well‑being into the company’s strategic objectives.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders and managers on safety and injury management responsibilities and changes to legislation, policies and procedures.

Key Outcomes

• Develop and implement The Adecco Safety System in 18 Months from commencement.
• Develop and implement injury management program(s) that facilitate timely and effective return-to-work strategies and reduction in workplace injuries.
• Achieve a measurable reduction in workplace incidents by 10% within 12 months and YoY and maintain zero major compliance breaches.
• Reduce workers’ compensation claim costs by 10% year-on-year and achieve an average return-to-work timeline improvement.
• Attain a 95% success rate for return-to-work plans within 24 Months ensuring effective support for injured employees.
• Consistently meet or exceed regulatory compliance standards in all safety and Workcover audits, with zero critical findings.
• Achieve a score of at least 65 for employee safety / WC engagement scores (obtained through proactive surveys) and successfully execute 1 major cross‑departmental safety / WC initiative annually.
• Demonstrate a direct positive financial impact by implementing robust safety and injury management mechanisms that reduce Workcover premiums and claims costs.
• 100% compliance with all The Adecco Group Policies and Procedures
• Ensure 100% completion of local and global Mandatory Training.

About you

• Tertiary qualifications in Occupational Health and Safety, Injury Management, or a related discipline
• Diploma WHS / OHS or Certificate IV WHS / OHS
• Graduate Diploma, Social Psychology, Risk
• Certificate in Return-to-Work
• 5 years of experience in a senior safety & WC and Injury Management role
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex workers’ compensation claims and implementing injury prevention strategies.
• Prove experience in developing, implementing and managing a safety management system and tools.
• Strong understanding of national OHS legislation, Workcover frameworks, and injury management principles.
• Proven experience in developing and driving a psychologically safe culture.
• Proven experience with NSW self – Insurance and implementing and managing self-insurance in other states.
• Experience with labour hire and/or host employers with demonstrated understanding of risk and liability.
• Seasoned people and thought leader, with proven experience in managing transformation and change in a matrix organisation.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to present data, negotiate with stakeholders, and deliver training.
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with the ability to identify risks, implement solutions, and drive continuous improvement.
• A compassionate approach to employee well‑being and rehabilitation, ensuring dignity and respect in all interactions.
• Strong understanding of national employment laws, workplace safety regulations, and industry compliance requirements.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage documentation with accuracy.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to navigate complex compliance challenges.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with cross‑functional teamsTr
• Travel Requirements Regular up to 35%

On Offer

We empower our people to carve their own career paths their way. After all, it's only natural that a people‑focused organization should be focused on its own people too. We will offer all the training, tools, motivation, and inspiration you need to achieve exactly what you want from your career. If you can make an impact, we'll provide the career development opportunities you need to achieve your potential and thrive.

Posting date: 11-09-2026