Head Of Occupational Health & Wellbeing

Charlton Recruitment; Willenhall; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing for the HS2 project. This role involves shaping health strategies across a large infrastructure programme, overseeing health compliance, and partnering with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant health discipline and extensive experience in high-risk industries. Competitive salary and hybrid working options are offered.

Benefits

12% employer pension contribution

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunity to shape industry standards

Qualifications

• Experience in high-risk industries such as construction or rail.
• A track record of successful health programmes.
• Ability to shape culture and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop policies and strategies for occupational health.
• Lead health surveillance and monitoring programmes.
• Innovate and champion new health management practices.

Skills

Influencing and communication skills

Strong knowledge of occupational health legislation

Leadership capability

Education

Degree-level education in health discipline

Job description

Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing

Project High Speed Two (HS2)
Location: Snowhill (Hybrid - 3 days per week on site)
Salary: £100,000 - £110,400 + 12% employer pension

Overview

Lead the Future of Occupational Health on One of Europe's Largest Infrastructure Programmes. HS2 is delivering the most ambitious transport infrastructure project in the UK for a generation. I am seeking a visionary Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing to shape, elevate and deliver HS2's strategic health agenda across the entire HS2 programme—including a vast, multi-tier supply chain supporting a total workforce of approximately 34,000 people.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop organisational occupational health policies, strategies and standards across both construction and operational environments.
• Lead health surveillance and monitoring programmes, ensuring robust management of workforce health risks.
• Design and deliver health and wellbeing communication, engagement and behavioural change strategies.
• Oversee HS2's health assurance programmes, driving compliance, improved performance and continuous improvement.
• Innovate: champion new technology, design solutions and best practice approaches that eliminate or reduce health risks.
• Build collaborative partnerships with external organisations (NHS, local authorities, community groups) to support workforce and community wellbeing.
• Act as the Professional Head of Occupational Health, providing strategic guidance and expert advice to HS2 senior leadership.
• Influence and support contractors and suppliers to deliver consistent best-practice health management across the supply chain.
• Champion Equality, Diversity & Inclusion across all aspects of occupational health and wellbeing.
• Design out Occupational health & wellbeing from both the construction and end state railway (operations and maintenance).

About You

You will bring the credibility, leadership and technical expertise to influence at programme level across a complex, high-risk, multi-contract environment.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education in a relevant health discipline (or equivalent).
• Strong working knowledge of occupational health legislation, standards and ethical frameworks.
• Excellent influencing and communication skills, able to drive change across a diverse supply chain.
• Experience developing and delivering health strategies in high-risk or technically complex industries (e.g. construction, rail, engineering, manufacturing, oil & gas, chemicals, nuclear).
• A track record of achieving tangible health improvements or delivering successful health programmes.
• Experience using data, insight and reporting systems to drive improvement and decision-making.
• Proven leadership capability with the ability to shape culture, influence senior stakeholders and inspire multidisciplinary teams.

Why Join HS2?

• Shape industry-defining standards for health and wellbeing.
• Lead occupational health strategy at national programme scale.
• Work with diverse, high-performing partners across the UK.
• Competitive salary and 12% employer pension contribution.
• Hybrid working with a base at HS2's Snowhill location - with flexibility to work at other offices/sites.
• Be part of a project with a lasting legacy for the UK.