Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability

FirstGroup; Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull and East Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation firm is seeking a Professional Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability in Newcastle. This role involves strategic guidance on health and safety while ensuring compliance across multiple sites. The ideal candidate has significant experience in safety management within a regulated industry. The position includes an attractive rewards package and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

Incentive Scheme / Bonus up to 10%

Discounted Gym Membership

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Life Assurance Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• 5+ years of senior safety management experience in a regulated industry.
• Experience creating, revising, and auditing Management Systems to ISO standards.
• Capability to engage and motivate colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of safety and sustainability policies.
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Build strong relationships with regulators and partners.

Skills

Understanding of environmental issues

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

NVQ Level 4 or NEBOSH Diploma

Recognised environmental qualification

Tools

Spreadsheets

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

About the job

As the Professional Head of Safety, Security & Sustainability, you will act as our in-house expert, providing strategic guidance and practical support on health, safety, security and environmental sustainability matters. You will lead the identification and management of risks, ensure the right controls are in place, monitor performance trends, and offer assurance to Directors that we are meeting all legislative and certification requirements. The role involves working across three sites in Hull, Newcastle, and Preston, with regular travel between locations, and providing on-call cover to support the business. You will also act as the “Informed Buyer” for specialist audit and consultancy services, ensuring we procure and deploy the right expertise to strengthen our systems and standards. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by shaping safe, secure, and sustainable operations across a dynamic and growing business area.

Your main responsibilities will be :

• Lead thedevelopment and implementation of safety, security, sustainability, and energy management policies and systems.
• Ensure effective governance, risk assessment, and complianceacross all operations and sites.
• Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and monitor performance trends.
• Provide expert advice andsupport to colleagues and senior management on safety and environmental matters.
• Build and maintain strongrelationships with regulators, industry partners, and trade unions.
• Coordinateemergency planning and safety teams, ensuring statutory requirements and training are met.
• Keep the business up to datewith legislation and best practice, reporting key updates to the Executive Team.

You’ll need to have :

• An understanding of environmental / sustainability issues and regulations that affect the rail sector and will challenge our business in the future.
• At least 5 years senior safety management experience in a rail or other highly regulated industry, . air or chemicals.
• Recognised experience of creating, revising, and auditing Management Systems, specifically to ISO 9001, 14001, 50001 and 45000 standards.
• Good communication and motivational skills to engage with all colleagues.
• An energetic and enthusiastic approach to problem solving and team leadership across a broad range of topics.
• Demonstrable experience in driving cultural change in a high hazard environment, highly regulated industry.
• Good analytical skills, with good research abilities and able to read / interpret data.
• Understanding and confidence in the use of spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Word, and other programmes relevant to the role.
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Able to stay calm under pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills and able to work as part of a team.

As a minimum, you will need to have :

• NVQ Level 4, NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent qualification in Health and Safety is essential with Chartered Membership of IOSH or another relevant body (or be actively working towards) is desirable.
• A recognised environmental, energy management or sustainability qualification (. NEBOSH Environmental Certificate / IEMA Practitioner Member or willingness to pursue this in post.
• Preferably educated to degree level.

About the location

You must live within a 60 minute commute of Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull or Preston with regular travel.

Working pattern

Monday to Friday with on call duties

The Reward

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme – We will pay in a minimum of 10% (5% employee contribution and 5% employer contribution) to a maximum total contribution of 20%.
• Incentive Scheme / Bonus of up to 10% of your annual salary
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Travel Offers – Free travel on Lumo services and travel offers for bus and rail tickets and Day Rover Rail tickets at a discounted price for friends and family (after 6 months of service).
• Shopping & Lifestyle Discounts
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Employee Share Plans (Save as you Earn and Buy as you Earn)
• NEXUS – Tyne and Wear Metro Discount
• Life Assurance Cover 4 x your annual salary
• Income Protection Scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Access to a digital GP 24 / 7
• Tax Benefit Bike Scheme

We all belong at "Lumo and Hull Trains" . FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.