Head of Safety and Compliance

Global Commissioning; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm based in Whitstable seeks a Head of Safety and Compliance. This role involves overseeing HSEQ frameworks, ensuring compliance with ISO standards, and integrating sustainability into operations. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, NEBOSH certification, and demonstrated leadership in HSEQ initiatives. Responsibilities include leading health and safety strategies, managing risk, and providing senior leadership insights on sustainability performance. The position allows for impactful contributions to operational excellence in the dynamic data centre industry.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading HSEQ or compliance in complex organizations.
• Strong understanding of Private Equity governance and reporting expectations.
• Experience supporting environmental sustainability or ESG initiatives.
• Knowledge of ISO standards and audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve integrated management systems for HSEQ.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards and regulations.
• Act as lead for environmental sustainability.
• Chair the Health & Safety Committee and promote a safety culture.
• Develop proactive health & safety strategies.

Skills

HSEQ management

Environmental sustainability

Health and safety regulations

Leadership and governance

Education

Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, Risk Management

NEBOSH National General Certificate

NEBOSH Diploma or working toward it

Membership of IOSH

Job description

About Us

Global Commissioning are a specialised consultancy delivering world‑class Commissioning Agent, Management, MEP Validation, and Specialist Electrical Services to the global data centre industry. We support hyper‑scale and colocation clients across EMEA, delivering safe, compliant, and high‑performance commissioning solutions for mission‑critical infrastructure.

Our strength lies in collaboration, technical excellence, and disciplined governance. Operating within a Private Equity–backed environment, we place strong emphasis on safety, regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and scalable systems that support sustainable growth.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and commercially aware Head of Safety and Compliance to lead the organisation’s Health, Safety, Environmental, Quality, and Sustainability agenda.

This role holds overarching responsibility for the design, implementation, governance, and continuous improvement of all HSEQ and sustainability frameworks across the business. The postholder will oversee integrated management systems covering quality, environmental management, occupational health & safety, business continuity, and information security, ensuring ongoing certification to internationally recognised standards.

Sustainability is a core pillar of this role. The Head of Safety and Compliance will embed environmental and ESG principles into operational practices, project delivery, and decision‑making, ensuring alignment with client expectations, regulatory requirements, and investor governance standards.

Operating within a Private Equity–backed environment, the role requires strong governance discipline, confidence engaging at senior and board level, and the ability to operate at pace while maintaining rigorous audit, reporting, and assurance standards.

Key Responsibilities

HSEQ & Integrated Management Systems

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the company’s integrated management systems across: Quality, Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Business Continuity, Information Security.
• Ensure ongoing certification and compliance with relevant ISO standards, including: ISO 9001 – Quality Management, ISO 14001 – Environmental Management, ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety, ISO 22301 – Business Continuity, ISO 27001 – Information Security.
• Ensure management systems are scalable, proportionate, and aligned with business growth and geographic expansion.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement across all HSEQ disciplines.

Sustainability & Environmental Governance

• Act as organisational lead for environmental sustainability and ESG integration.
• Own and continuously improve the Environmental Management System in line with ISO 14001.
• Lead sustainability reporting, performance tracking, and improvement planning, with particular relevance to data centre commissioning and mission‑critical infrastructure.
• Manage external sustainability and ethical accreditations, including EcoVadis and Achilles, ensuring continual improvement and strong client‑facing outcomes.
• Embed sustainability considerations into project delivery, operational decision‑making, and supplier engagement.
• Monitor emerging ESG regulations, environmental legislation, and client sustainability expectations, translating requirements into practical internal controls.
• Support tendering, client audits, and due diligence activities relating to sustainability and ESG performance.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Serve as the senior operational lead for Health & Safety across the organisation.
• Chair the Health & Safety Committee, ensuring effective governance, engagement, and accountability.
• Develop and implement proactive health & safety strategies aligned with legislation and industry best practice.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all levels of the organisation.

Compliance, Governance & Assurance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulatory obligations, and internal policies across HSEQ and sustainability.
• Plan and deliver internal audit programmes across departments and regions.
• Lead preparation for, and engagement with, external audits, surveillance visits, and certification bodies.
• Maintain governance frameworks aligned with Private Equity reporting, assurance, and risk management expectations.
• Provide senior leadership with clear, data‑driven insight into HSEQ and sustainability performance.

Risk Management & Strategic Support

• Identify, assess, and manage HSEQ and sustainability‑related risks, including operational, environmental, regulatory, reputational, and ESG risks.
• Develop and maintain robust mitigation, assurance, and improvement plans.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, supporting safe, compliant, and commercially sound decision‑making.
• Contribute to long‑term organisational strategy, supporting the evolution toward a Head of HSEQ & Sustainability function.

Education & Professional Qualifications

Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, Risk Management, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

NEBOSH National General Certificate (essential).

NEBOSH Diploma or actively working toward it (essential).

Membership of IOSH (GradIOSH or working toward Chartered status advantageous).

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience leading HSEQ, compliance, or integrated management systems within complex or fast‑growing organisations.
• Strong understanding of Private Equity governance models, audit scrutiny, and reporting expectations (highly desirable).
• Demonstrable experience supporting environmental sustainability or ESG initiatives within an operational or engineering‑led environment.
• In‑depth knowledge of ISO standards, regulatory frameworks, and audit processes.