Head of HSE

Thales Group; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration + Super + Bonus

Hybrid work environment

Medical Insurance

Employee discounts with affiliates

Fitness Passport Discount

Personal & professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Melbourne seeks a senior leader for Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) to shape and elevate performance across multiple sites in high-risk industries. The ideal candidate has proven senior HSE leadership experience and will engage with executives while leading cultural transformation. This role includes strategic direction setting and safety management, complemented by competitive remuneration and a hybrid work environment, among other benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven success leading cultural transformation across multi-site operations.
• Strong commercial acumen and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in investigation and audit leadership (ICAM Lead Investigator).
• Executive‑level stakeholder engagement experience.
• Deep experience with safety management systems and major accident hazard risk management.
• ICAM Lead Investigator/Lead Auditor experience is desirable.
• Experience with ISO9001/ISO14001/ISO45001 systems.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for HSE across multiple sites.
• Lead and mentor high-performing HSE teams.
• Advise leaders on compliance and risk management.
• Champion physical and psychological safety initiatives.
• Engage proactively with regulators and stakeholders.
• Lead major incident investigations and drive corrective actions.
• Strengthen audit, assurance and compliance frameworks.
• Ensure Safety Case submissions and licensing obligations are met.
• Champion physical and psychological safety across the organisation.
• Embed sustainability and emissions reduction initiatives.
• Build leadership capability and accountability in HSE.

Skills

Senior HSE leadership experience

Stakeholder engagement

Cultural transformation leadership

Safety management systems knowledge

Data-driven decision making

Audits and investigations

Multi-site leadership

Education

Tertiary qualifications in HSE, Engineering, Science or related discipline

Postgraduate qualifications and professional certifications

Tools

ISO9001

ISO14001

ISO45001

Regulatory frameworks

Job description

At Thales, we know technology has the ability to make our world more secure, sustainable, and inclusive – and that it’s all driven by human intelligence. Because it takes human intelligence to build and power the systems and solutions that people depend on every day, we stay curious and make space for diverse points of view. We share what we know and we challenge what’s possible. From manufacturing and engineering to cybersecurity and space, we’re driving progress in some of the world’s most important industries – and working together to build a future we can all trust. Step into a role that elevates your influence, deepens your purpose, and strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability.

Based in our Melbourne World Trade Centre office on Wurundjeri land, this national leadership role will shape and elevate HSE performance across our Land domain – comprising Explosive Ordinance Services (EOS), Protected Vehicles (PRV) and Integrated Weapons Systems (IWS). The LAND business is one of Thales Australia’s most dynamic and complex domains. It includes next generation protected vehicles, soldier systems, advanced digital battlespace technologies and large-scale manufacturing and sustainment operations across multiple sites. You will lead with influence at the highest levels, partnering with executives, engaging regulators, and driving a high-performance safety culture across our industrial manufacturing sites, and Major Hazard Facilities, in highly regulated and high-risk operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for HSE across multiple sites, and portfolios nationally
• Lead and mentor high-performing and geographically dispersed HSE teams
• Advise senior leaders on hazard identification, risk management, emergency planning, compliance and assurance
• Ensure alignment with MHF, WHS, Dangerous Goods and Environmental legislation
• Engage proactively with regulators and external stakeholders
• Lead major incident investigations and drive sustainable corrective actions
• Strengthen audit, assurance and compliance frameworks
• Ensure Safety Case submissions and licensing obligations are met
• Champion physical and psychological safety across the organisation
• Embed sustainability and emissions reduction initiatives
• Build leadership capability and accountability in HSE

Qualifications & Requirements

• Proven senior HSE leadership experience in Major Hazard Facilities or high-risk industries (oil & gas, manufacturing, industrial)
• Track record in leading HSE teams to deliver sustainable improvements in performance
• Proven success leading cultural transformation across multi-site operations
• Executive-level stakeholder engagement experience
• Deep experience in safety management systems and major accident hazard risk management
• Investigation and audit leadership capability (ICAM Lead Investigator / Lead Auditor highly regarded)
• Experience with ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 systems
• Strong commercial acumen and data-driven decision-making
• Tertiary qualifications in HSE, Engineering, Science or related discipline essential
• Postgraduate qualifications and professional certifications highly regarded

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration + Super + Bonus + Medical Insurance
• ThalesFlex – Hybrid work environment
• Recognised leader in reservist employee support
• Veterans Leave
• Fitness Passport Discount – Access to a network of Gyms across AUS
• Employee discounts with a number of affiliates (Travel, Car hire, Tech, Medical Insurance)
• Modernised Paid Parental Leave
• Novated Lease options
• Family support through our partnership with Parents at Work
• Personal & professional training development opportunities
• Sonder – Wellbeing & Support Partner
• Access to a network of the best people (A Nobel Prize winner on our staff list!)
• And much more!

Good to Know

Prior to being offered employment, you will need to complete pre-employment police and, role-dependent, medical checks.

A NV1 Defence security clearance is required for this role; applicants must be Australian citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an appropriate clearance.

Additional information with regards to clearances is available from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website http://www.defence.gov.au/AGSVA/. In some cases, individuals who hold a current clearance from a foreign government may be eligible to have this clearance recognised by the Australian Government and be eligible for this role.

The Australian Defence Trade Controls Act (DTCA) is applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role.

The U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role.

It’s easy to dismiss the perfect opportunity if you don’t see yourself as the perfect fit. If this role feels right – no matter your background or personal circumstances – please introduce yourself or join our community. We’re committed to supporting a diverse workplace, and that starts here.

We’re proud to be endorsed by WORK180 as an Employer for All Women, but we know there’s always more we can do. We’ll continue to foster industry partnerships, employee resource groups (ERGs) and development opportunities to make Thales a genuinely equitable employer for everyone.

Read more about our WORK180 endorsement.