Head of Health and Safety

Principal People Recruitment; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking energy company based in Oxford is seeking a Head of Health and Safety to lead their national HSEQ function. This strategic role involves overseeing operational risk and compliance across more than 80 sites. The successful candidate will have proven leadership in H&S within the energy sector, managing a small team and influencing at board level. The position has significant growth potential with a competitive salary and robust benefits package.

Benefits

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme

All travel expenses covered

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

4% matched pension contribution

Private healthcare

3x annual salary Life assurance policy

Qualifications

• Proven H&S leadership in energy or utilities sectors.
• Track record of stakeholder influence and behavioral change.
• Experience managing small HSEQ teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the national HSEQ strategy across 80+ sites.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify risks.
• Oversee ISO compliance and internal reporting.
• Shape the business's approach to safety.

Skills

H&S leadership experience

Stakeholder influence

Behavioral change implementation

Building HSEQ Strategy

Team management

Education

NEBOSH Diploma

IOSH membership

NEBOSH Construction Cert

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to take full ownership of a national HSEQ function in a fast–growing, future–focused energy business?

Principal People are exclusively supporting a forward–thinking, Energy infrastructure business as they look to appoint a Head of Health and Safety to lead their operational risk and compliance strategy across over 80 active UK sites. This is a key strategic role reporting directly to the board, offering the opportunity to shape culture, build a growing team, and steer HSQE performance during a high–growth phase. The role will require national travel (~30%) with office or home working (~70%), subject to business needs.

Role level and location: Head of Health and Safety, GBP75k–GBP85k + package, Energy & Infrastructure, Oxfordshire with National Travel.

The Role

The Head of Health and Safety will take full ownership of the HSEQ function across a nationwide operation with more than 80 sites, reporting directly to the board and closely collaborating with project teams and site managers. This is a strategic and operational leadership role, responsible for setting the direction of health, safety, environment, and quality across office, site, and remote settings. It offers high–level visibility within the business and is ideal for a hands–on leader who wants to influence at executive level and make a meaningful impact in a fast–growing, future–focused energy company.

The successful candidate will lead cultural change, implement robust systems, and build a growing team to support a diverse project portfolio. Immediate line management responsibilities are in place, with plans to expand to a team of 4–5 in the coming years.

Package & Benefits

• GBP75,000 – GBP85,000 basic salary
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• All travel expenses covered
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 4% matched pension contribution
• Private healthcare
• 3x annual salary Life assurance policy

Why this opportunity stands out

• Energy sector without the red tape — Agile, well–funded, and growing rapidly.
• Tech–diverse portfolio — Projects include gas peaking, battery storage, solar, wind and synchronous condensers.
• Senior leadership buy–in — Full support from the board to implement long–term cultural and strategic change.
• Room to grow — Potential path to Director–level as the business scales.
• Stable yet exciting — Backed by private equity with long–term infrastructure focus.

The role at a glance

• Lead and evolve a national HSEQ strategy across 80+ operational & under construction energy sites
• Lead the team to proactively identify risks, implement data–driven solutions, and drive continuous improvement
• Oversee ISO compliance (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001)
• Deliver a robust change programme embedding a proactive safety culture
• Lead on internal reporting, training and audits with opportunity to communicate to Board level
• Represent the H&S function at a strategic level, shaping how the business approaches safety
• Build, coach and expand a small but growing safety team

What we’re looking for

• Proven H&S leadership in energy, M&E, power generation, utilities, industrial, waste or similar
• NEBOSH Diploma and IOSH membership (minimum NEBOSH Construction Cert)
• Track record of influencing stakeholders and implementing behavioural change
• Experienced in building and implementing a HSEQ Strategy
• Experience managing or mentoring small HSEQ teams

Interested?

If you’re ready to lead a function, influence at board level, and help shape the HSEQ direction of a dynamic infrastructure business, we’d love to speak to you. Apply Today!