Head of HSEQ

Bennett and Game; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction contractor is seeking a Head of HSEQ to lead its health, safety, environmental, and quality strategy across major projects. This senior role focuses on proactive incident prevention through robust processes and continual improvement. The successful candidate will have significant experience in HSEQ leadership within construction, alongside strong analytical skills and a NEBOSH Diploma. The position offers a salary between £70,000 to £90,000 and benefits including hybrid working and comprehensive training.

Benefits

25 to 30 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Pension scheme

Project bonus scheme

Team social events

Access to Udemy and other training platforms

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HSEQ role within construction.
• Proven track record of setting HSEQ strategy and influencing stakeholders.
• Experience maintaining ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall HSEQ strategy aligning with company objectives.
• Review and streamline HSEQ processes and documentation.
• Provide leadership through regular nationwide visits to sites.
• Produce HSEQ performance reports for the Board.
• Develop and deliver HSEQ training and competency plans.

Skills

Senior HSEQ leadership experience

Knowledge of UK health and safety legislation

Strong analytical skills

Confident communication

Experience with ISO standards

Education

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent

NEBOSH Construction Certificate or similar

Chartered or working towards Chartered status with IOSH

Job description

A progressive and people focused principal contractor is looking to appoint a Head of HSEQ to lead its health, safety, environmental and quality strategy across major facade remediation projects. This is a senior, strategic role for a proactive individual who focuses on preventing incidents before they occur through robust processes, effective documentation and continual improvement. With confirmed work secured into 2028, it is an opportunity to join a stable, cash rich business that continues to invest in its people, its systems, its technology and the future of safer, better built environments.

Head office is in Portsmouth, and for at least the next two years projects will be concentrated around Nottingham, Leeds and Sheffield, with travel required nationwide to support the wider portfolio. Projects range in value up to £22 million and include complex schemes across residential towers, stadiums, commercial buildings and public sector assets.

The company has built strong, long-term partnerships with blue chip clients and is widely recognised for technical delivery on challenging and sensitive sites. Now targeting further growth, the business is scaling with purpose, aiming to exceed £50 million turnover this year. Backed by a listed parent group with significant financial strength, they operate with a modern, entrepreneurial approach while maintaining strong family values and a culture of trust, development and continuous improvement. The Head of HSEQ will play a central role in shaping and safeguarding this next phase of growth.

Head of HSEQ Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £70,000 to £90,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• 25 to 30 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Hybrid working available
• Pension scheme
• Project bonus scheme
• Company bonus scheme
• 4 years death in service cover
• Critical illness cover
• Team social events
• Company events and supportive social environment
• Comprehensive in house and external training and development
• Access to Udemy and other training platforms
• Charity fundraising days
• Modern office facilities including stocked kitchen and shower

Head of HSEQ Job Overview

Lead the overall HSEQ strategy across the business, ensuring it aligns with company objectives and supports safe, high quality project delivery

Take a proactive, preventative approach, using data, trend analysis and site feedback to identify risk areas and address them before incidents occur

Review, develop and streamline HSEQ processes, policies and documentation, ensuring they are clear, practical, up to date and consistently applied across all projects

Own and further develop the company HSEQ management systems, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001, and lead accreditation and audit activity

Provide visible leadership across all sites, carrying out regular nationwide visits to coach, challenge and support project teams

Lead serious incident and accident investigations where required, ensuring root causes are understood and meaningful corrective actions are implemented and shared

Produce regular HSEQ performance reports and insight for the Board and senior leadership, including KPIs, trends and recommendations for improvement

Work closely with Pre Construction and Design teams to ensure HSEQ considerations are fully embedded at early project stages, not just during delivery

Develop and deliver a HSEQ training and competency plan for the business, including inductions, toolbox talks, specialist training and leadership coaching

Build strong relationships with clients, Principal Designers, supply chain partners and regulators, representing the business as a trusted and professional HSEQ leader

Champion a positive safety culture, behavioural safety initiatives and wellbeing, ensuring HSEQ is seen as a core part of how the company operates, not just a compliance function

Head of HSEQ Requirements

Significant experience in a senior HSEQ, SHEQ or Health and Safety leadership role within construction, ideally with exposure to complex envelope, remediation or multi storey projects

Proven track record of setting HSEQ strategy, improving systems and influencing senior stakeholders, not only managing day to day compliance

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent is strongly preferred, as well as NEBOSH Construction Certificate or similar

Chartered or working towards Chartered status with IOSH or a similar professional body

Strong working knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, CDM regulations and best practice site management, including high risk activities and working at height

Experience of leading and maintaining ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 management systems, including internal and external audits

Confident communicator who can challenge constructively, gain buy in and coach teams at all levels, from site operatives to Board members

Analytical mindset, comfortable using data and trend analysis to drive decisions and target improvement activity

Clear, pragmatic approach that balances legal compliance with practical, buildable solutions and commercial realities

Full UK driving licence