Health and Safety Director

GBR recruitment ltd; Northampton; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

GBR Recruitment Ltd is seeking a board-level Health & Safety Director for a leading new build housing construction business. You will drive the H&S strategy across the operation, roll out policies, and act as principal contact for authorities and insurers.

Lead a team of five H&S professionals, ensuring high-quality safety performance and continuous improvement. The role requires a Diploma in Health & Safety (or Degree), NEBOSH Construction, and CMIOSH, with extensive H&S leadership experience

Qualifications

• Senior-level H&S leadership experience at Director/board level.
• Deep knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation including CDM.
• Proven track record in policy development and risk governance.

Responsibilities

• Create and drive the H&S strategy across the operation.
• Lead, develop and monitor the Health & Safety team (5 staff).
• Ensure compliance with legislation, audits and inspections.
• Engage with Managing Director and Board on strategic safety.
• Oversee H&S policies, training and KPI development.
• Act as principal contact for enforcing authorities and insurers.
• Promote a positive H&S culture and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy development

Compliance

Risk mitigation

Training delivery

Stakeholder comms

Team management

Education

Diploma in Health & Safety

NEBOSH Construction Certificate

CMIOSH

Job description

GBR Recruitment Ltd are delighted to be exclusively working with a leading new build housing construction business recruiting for a principal H&S expert in the form of a H&S Director.

In this board level role, you will drive & roll out the H&S strategy across the whole operation, create & implement H&S policies / procedures, be the key contact for 3rd party organisations & authorities, lead compliance & risk mitigation, develop H&S training delivery methods, plus continuously look to improve the Health & Safety services.

As the Health & Safety Director, you will have a Diploma in Health & Safety (or Degree), a NEBOSH Construction Certificate & be CMIOSH qualified.

You will have H&S Director level experience of Group H&S Manager or similar.

The team beneath you will be a team of x5 H&S professionals supporting wider areas.

Duties:

• Create, develop & deliver the H&S strategy working as the principal H&S subject matter expert offering guidance to the Managing Director & the Board of Directors.
• Strategic leadership & professional direction for all Health & Safety control measures across the whole of the operation.
• Monitoring of compliance ensuring legislation is adhered to at all times, along with the development & continual improvement of the companies Health & Safety management systems, standards and culture.
• Overall line management responsibility for the Health & Safety Team (x5)
• Successfully & effectively lead, develop & analyse the Group's Health & Safety Management System, including policies, procedures and standards
• Ensuring Health & Safety performance is set & maintained at a high quality level, via planned inspections, audits & reviews
• Provide strategic advice & assurance to the Managing Director & Board
• Ensure all direct employees (Directors, Managers, Trades), sub-contractors & consultants understand & adhere to all Health & Safety policies, plus promote a positive H&S culture
• Principal point of contact (SAP) with enforcing authorities, including the HSE & the local authorities, plus with insurers companies & brokers
• Manage occupational health, health surveillance & workplace well-being
• Lead the development of the companies Health & Safety training
• Establish & monitor Group Health & Safety KPIs
• Leader of H&S CI / change management

Attributes:

• Senior-level Health & Safety leadership experience ideally from a H&S Director, Regional H&S Manager, Group H&S Manager, Principal H&S Manager or similar level position
• New build housing / construction H&S management experience is essential
• Must have Diploma in H&S, NEBOSH Construction Certificate & CMIOSH
• Up to date & thorough knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, including CDM is essential
• Previous experience of leading a H&S team of Managers & Advisor

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone from the new build housing or general construction industry to head up the H&S division & to drive real change.

The role is commutable from Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire.

Interviews are to take place ASAP, likely to be WC: 14/09/2026.