Head of HSEQ

Private Advertiser; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser is seeking an experienced HSEQ Leader to drive the organisation's Health, Safety, Environment and Quality strategy across national commercial construction activities.

The role requires collaboration with senior leadership and operations to elevate safety performance, governance, and proactive risk management. You will balance strategic leadership with hands-on oversight to embed a culture of zero harm.

Qualifications

• Significant senior HSEQ experience within commercial building and construction.
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation and construction risk management.
• Experience with ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 management systems.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing the organisation's HSEQ strategy and framework.
• Driving safety leadership and accountability across construction projects.
• Partnering with Project Directors, Construction Managers and Site Managers.
• Providing oversight of project risk management, high-risk construction activities, and critical controls.
• Strengthening subcontractor and principal contractor safety management practices.
• Leading incident investigations, audits, assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring compliance with WHS legislation, regulations, and relevant Australian Standards.
• Maintaining and improving integrated HSEQ management systems.
• Providing meaningful performance reporting and strategic advice to senior leadership.
• Developing HSEQ capability and influencing positive safety behaviours across the business.

Skills

HSEQ leadership

WHS legislation

ISO 45001

Construction risk

Stakeholder influence

Bachelor degree

HSEQ credentials

Education

Bachelor degree

HSEQ credentials

Job description

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, with responsibility for leading the organisation's national HSEQ function, strategy, governance, and operational performance.

Lead safety. Influence performance. Drive excellence.

We are an established organisation is seeking an experienced HSEQ Leader with a strong commercial construction background to lead and strengthen its Health, Safety, Environment and Quality function.

This is an opportunity for a commercially minded HSEQ professional who understands the complexities of commercial construction and can work collaboratively with senior leadership and operational teams to drive safety performance, strengthen governance and embed a proactive risk management culture.

The Role

Working closely with senior leadership and construction operations, you will be responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight of the HSEQ function across commercial construction activities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing the organisation's HSEQ strategy and framework.
• Driving safety leadership and accountability across construction projects.
• Partnering with Project Directors, Construction Managers and Site Managers.
• Providing oversight of project risk management, high-risk construction activities, and critical controls.
• Strengthening subcontractor and principal contractor safety management practices.
• Leading incident investigations, audits, assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Ensuring compliance with WHS legislation, regulations, and relevant Australian Standards.
• Maintaining and improving integrated HSEQ management systems.
• Providing meaningful performance reporting and strategic advice to senior leadership.
• Developing HSEQ capability and influencing positive safety behaviours across the business.

About You

You are an established HSEQ professional with a proven track record within commercial construction environments.

You will bring:

• Significant senior HSEQ experience within commercial building and construction.
• Strong understanding of principal contractor obligations and construction site operations.
• Experience supporting complex commercial construction projects.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior operational stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation and construction risk management.
• Experience with ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 management systems.
• The ability to balance strategic leadership with practical, hands-on operational engagement.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and professional HSEQ credentials.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an important business function and influence how HSEQ is delivered across our commercial construction operations.

You will work closely with senior leadership and have the opportunity, to shape organisational HSEQ strategy and drive meaningful improvements in safety, quality, and environmental performance.

Confidential Expressions of Interest

This is a confidential recruitment campaign. Further information regarding the organisation and opportunity will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

All applications and enquiries will be treated confidentially.