Head of Health & Safety

Volkerrail Group; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical care

Pension

Cycle to Work scheme

Life Assurance

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

VolkerStevin, part of VolkerWessels UK, is seeking a Head of Health & Safety to provide strategic leadership across major infrastructure frameworks from our Preston head office, with UK‑wide travel.

You will develop and deliver the health and safety strategy, lead the H&S teams, ensure governance, compliance and behavioural safety, and report to the SHEQ Director while partnering with senior leaders to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Senior‑level health & safety leadership experience in civil engineering or infrastructure.
• Ability to develop and implement safety strategies across large multi‑site operations.
• Strong knowledge of UK health & safety legislation and assurance processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the strategic direction for health and safety across the business.
• Lead Health & Safety teams, ensuring capability and resources.
• Drive consistency and collaboration across business streams.
• Provide expert advice to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Monitor IMS effectiveness and champion behavioural safety initiatives.

Education

NEBOSH Diploma

Level 6 Diploma in OH&S

CMIOSH/FMIOSH

Job description

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry‑leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group’s business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

Head of Health & Safety

Location: Based from our Preston Head Office, with UK‑wide travel to support key strategic frameworks including United Utilities, MOD, Sizewell C and the Environment Agency.

Lead Safety Excellence Across Some of the UK's Most Critical Infrastructure Projects

At VolkerStevin, safety is more than a priority, it's a core value at the heart of everything we do. We're seeking an exceptional Head of Health & Safety to provide strategic leadership across our business and drive continual improvement throughout some of the UK's most significant infrastructure frameworks.

This is a rare opportunity to shape health and safety performance across major programmes including United Utilities, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Sizewell C and the Environment Agency, ensuring the highest standards of governance, compliance and behavioural safety are embedded across every aspect of our operations.

The Role

Reporting to the SHEQ Director, you will lead the development and delivery of VolkerStevin's health and safety strategy, providing expert guidance and assurance across multiple business streams. Working closely with Directors, senior leaders and operational teams, you will champion a proactive safety culture while ensuring compliance with legal and industry requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the strategic direction for health and safety across the business.
• Lead and develop Health & Safety teams, ensuring capability and resource requirements are met.
• Drive consistency and collaboration between Health & Safety functions across all business streams.
• Provide expert advice to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Monitor legal changes and maintain the effectiveness of the Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Champion behavioural safety initiatives, including the ongoing implementation of Safety Ripple.
• Lead assurance activities, internal audits and external certification processes.
• Monitor incidents, audits and inspections, ensuring effective close‑out and continual improvement.
• Produce performance reports and provide meaningful insights to senior leadership.
• Develop engaging health and safety communications and campaigns.
• Represent VolkerStevin at Group‑level meetings, forums and industry working groups.
• Manage budgets and ensure effective financial control within the function.

About You

We're looking for an influential, forward‑thinking health and safety leader who can drive positive change across a complex infrastructure environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant senior‑level Health & Safety experience within civil engineering, construction, infrastructure, utilities, defence, nuclear or related sectors.
• Proven ability to develop and implement health and safety strategies across large, multi‑site operations.
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, management systems and assurance processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
• Passion for behavioural safety and continuous improvement.

About you

• Relevant health & safety experience in Construction / Civil engineering
• NEBOSH Diploma for Occupational Health & Safety Management Professionals. CMIOSH/FMIOSH
• Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills‑based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance
• Flexible working opportunities programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at [e-mail]