Group Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Director

SSE plc; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships discounts

Online GP

24/7 counselling

Cycle to Work

Maternity and adoption pay

Paternity leave

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking a Group Safety, Health and Environment Director to lead the function and set SSE’s Group‑wide SHE strategy, policy and governance. You will work with the Board, executives and unit leaders to embed SHE in strategy, operations and partnerships across all businesses.

You will own the Group SHE Management System, drive assurance, and lead governance for major risks and contractors, with a focus on resilience and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Executive-level SHE leadership in a complex, high‑hazard, regulated organisation.
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
• Chartered IOSH membership or equivalent recognition.
• Deep UK/ROI regulatory knowledge across safety, health and environment.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead SSE’s long‑term SHE strategy, policy, governance and management‑system framework.
• Advise and challenge the Board on SHE performance, risks and strategic decisions.
• Own and update SSE’s Group SHE Management System standards for safety, health and environment.
• Lead Group‑wide assurance, reporting and learning, turning incidents into lasting improvements.
• Provide governance for major programmes, contractors and regulatory engagement.

Skills

Executive SHE leadership

Chartered IOSH

Regulatory knowledge (UK/ROI)

Leadership of large teams

Executive communication

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Chartered IOSH membership

Job description

Base Location

You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Perth, Glasgow, Reading, London

Salary

£Competitive + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern

Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

SSE is seeking a Group Safety, Health and Environment Director to lead the function and act as its principal professional authority. You will set SSE’s Group‑wide SHE strategy, policy, governance and management‑system framework, protecting our people, environment, assets, communities and licence to operate across all businesses, projects, joint ventures and contractor activities. You will also lead on resilience across the organisation. Working with the Board, Group Executive Committee, Managing Directors and Business Unit SHE leaders, you will embed SHE in strategy, investment, operations, projects, acquisitions and partnerships.

You will

• Set and lead SSE’s long‑term SHE strategy, turning business priorities and material risks into clear standards, investment and measurable outcomes.
• Advise and challenge the Board and Group Executive Committee on SHE performance, emerging risks, control effectiveness and strategic decisions.
• Own SSE’s Group SHE Management System, setting minimum standards for safety, health, environment, major projects, contractors and emergency readiness.
• Lead Group‑wide assurance, reporting and learning, independently assessing controls and turning serious incidents and findings into lasting improvement.
• Lead SHE governance for critical risks, major programmes and contractors, ensuring incident readiness and representing SSE with regulators and key stakeholders.

You have

• Executive‑level SHE leadership in a complex, high‑hazard, regulated organisation, with proven impact on enterprise strategy and Board decisions.
• Recognised senior SHE professional standing, backed by postgraduate expertise or equivalent experience, with Chartered IOSH or comparable membership.
• Authoritative UK and Irish SHE regulatory knowledge, with deep expertise in safety, health, environment, human factors, major hazards and contractor governance.
• Proven leadership of large multidisciplinary teams, building capability and talent, while delivering consistent outcomes through governance and influence.
• Exceptional judgement, commercial awareness and executive communication skills, with the credibility to influence Boards, senior leaders, regulators, operational teams, professional specialists and workforce representatives.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro‑electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers. Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030. Safety is at the heart of everything we do at SSE. We're committed to looking after people, partners, customers, and the communities we work in. Our Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) division ensures we get this right. They guide our teams, helping us minimise risk and work responsibly, so that everyone gets home safely

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Gordon Macfarlane on [e-mail] / 01738 340127 to discuss how we can support you. We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.