HSE Operations Leader

U&U Recruitment Partners; Gladstone Regional; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

U&U Recruitment Partners is partnering with a leading regional Queensland operation to appoint an experienced HSE Operations Leader to oversee the onsite HSE function at a major facility. This high-profile, site-based role requires visible leadership with operational teams and senior stakeholders.

You will guide an experienced HSE team, partner with maintenance and operations, drive risk controls, incident investigations and compliance programs across the site in Gladstone.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of HSE experience with site-based leadership.
• Experience leading HSE teams within high-risk operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of permit to work, control of work, risk assessment and critical control frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the onsite HSE function, set clear priorities, expectations and accountability.
• Build partnerships with operational leaders and strengthen ownership of HSE performance.
• Provide visible HSE leadership across the facility, engaging with frontline teams to senior leadership.
• Coach and develop the onsite HSE team, creating a strong, accountable environment.
• Support maintenance, reliability, major maintenance events and shutdown activities.
• Provide assurance around permitting, planning, risk assessment and critical control implementation.
• Lead and support incident investigations, assurance activities and organisational learning.
• Embed HSE programs and OMS requirements at site level; provide clear, concise HSE advice.

Skills

HSE leadership

Site-based leadership

Incident investigation

Permit to work

Risk assessment

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

We are proud to be partnering with a leading organisation to appoint an experienced HSE leader to oversee its onsite HSE function at a major operational facility in regional Queensland.

This is a high-profile, site-based leadership opportunity for an HSE professional who enjoys being visible in the field, working closely with operational leaders and making a genuine impact on safety performance.

The opportunity

As the HSE Operations Leader, you will provide visible and credible leadership across the site, leading an experienced HSE team while partnering closely with the operational leadership team.

This is a role that requires someone who can confidently move between the frontline and senior leadership environments. You will be a trusted advisor to the site leadership team, providing practical HSE guidance, constructive challenge and strategic input where required.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the onsite HSE function, setting clear priorities, expectations and accountability;
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders and strengthen ownership of HSE performance;
• Provide visible HSE leadership across the facility, engaging with frontline teams through to senior leadership;
• Coach and develop the onsite HSE team, creating a strong and accountable team environment;
• Support maintenance, reliability, major maintenance events and shutdown activities;
• Provide assurance around permitting, planning, risk assessment and critical control implementation;
• Lead and support incident investigations, assurance activities and organisational learning;
• Implement and embed HSE programs and OMS requirements at site level; and
• Provide clear, concise HSE advice and constructive challenge to operational and senior leaders.

We are proud to be partnering with a leading organisation to appoint an experienced HSE leader to oversee its onsite HSE function at a major operational facility in regional Queensland.

This is a high-profile, site-based leadership opportunity for an HSE professional who enjoys being visible in the field, working closely with operational leaders and making a genuine impact on safety performance.

The opportunity

As the HSE Operations Leader, you will provide visible and credible leadership across the site, leading an experienced HSE team while partnering closely with the operational leadership team.

This is a role that requires someone who can confidently move between the frontline and senior leadership environments. You will be a trusted advisor to the site leadership team, providing practical HSE guidance, constructive challenge and strategic input where required.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the onsite HSE function, setting clear priorities, expectations and accountability;
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders and strengthen ownership of HSE performance;
• Provide visible HSE leadership across the facility, engaging with frontline teams through to senior leadership;
• Coach and develop the onsite HSE team, creating a strong and accountable team environment;
• Support maintenance, reliability, major maintenance events and shutdown activities;
• Provide assurance around permitting, planning, risk assessment and critical control implementation;
• Lead and support incident investigations, assurance activities and organisational learning;
• Implement and embed HSE programs and OMS requirements at site level; and
• Provide clear, concise HSE advice and constructive challenge to operational and senior leaders.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and credible HSE leader who can build trust quickly, influence experienced operational leaders and confidently challenge when required.

You will have the maturity to understand when to lead, when to advise, when to challenge and when to step back and enable operational leaders to own their HSE responsibilities.

You will ideally bring:

• 10+ years' HSE experience with strong site-based operational leadership capability;
• Proven experience leading HSE teams within a Major Hazard Facility or similarly high-risk environment;
• Experience across oil and gas, LNG, hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, power generation or another highly regulated operational environment;
• Strong knowledge of permit to work, control of work, risk assessment and critical control frameworks;
• Experience supporting maintenance, reliability and major shutdown activities;
• Strong incident investigation, assurance and organisational learning capability;
• A proven ability to influence and partner with experienced operational leaders;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex HSE matters for both frontline and executive audiences; and
• A genuine leadership style that is visible, practical and focused on building accountability within the operation.

Why this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to step into a key leadership position within an established and mature operation, where you can influence how HSE is led across the site and make a meaningful difference to operational performance.

The role is based in Gladstone, with a comprehensive relocation package available for candidates relocating to the area.

If you are an experienced HSE leader looking for a role where you can genuinely influence operational leadership and make an impact within a complex, high-risk environment, we would love to hear from you.