Risk and Policy Lead (Contractor Safety)

Cornerstone; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Enhanced maternity leave

Life assurance

HolidayPlus

Virtual GP

Employee discounts

Job summary

SGN is seeking a Safety Risk and Policy Leader to develop, implement, and monitor health and safety policies with a focus on contractor safety. You will govern standards and assurance frameworks across SGN, ensuring contractor competence and regulatory compliance while using incident data to drive proactive risk controls.

You will lead risk assessments, investigations, and corrective actions, collaborating with stakeholders to embed a safety culture and support change initiatives within a

Qualifications

• Qualified health and safety professional with proven contractor safety experience.
• Experience in risk assessment, incident investigations and control implementation.
• Familiarity with PUWER, LOLER, CDM and related regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain health and safety policies aligned to regulatory standards and risk priorities.
• Identify operational risks, implement controls, and ensure reporting mechanisms.
• Monitor compliance through audits, inspections, and assurance activities.

Skills

Health and safety policy

Contractor safety

Audits and inspections

Incident investigations

Risk assessment

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

IOSH Managing Safely

Job description

Safety Risk and Policy Leader - Contracts Safety

Across SGN Patch – Farringdon, Horley, Horsham, Ashford, Portsmouth, Poole, Epsom, Aldershot, Ashford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Paisley, Dundee, Aberdeen

Salary - £57.8k – £66.1k (Flexibility depending on qualifications and experience)

Full Time | Hybrid with occasional travel

Joint-contribution pension from 6% (12% total) – Enhanced maternity & family leave – Life assurance – HolidayPlus – Virtual GP & Employee Assistance Programme plus retail and leisure discounts & many more.

As our Safety Risk and Policy leader, you’ll provide develop, implement, and monitor targeted health and safety policies and risk controls within your area of expertise, ensuring operational compliance and supporting the broader safety strategy. You will be ensuring Contractor safety policies and procedures across SGN.

You will govern the policies, standards, and assurance frameworks that underpin how high-risk work is delivered across SGN, with a focus on Contractor safety. You will ensure consistent contractor competence, robust compliance with regulatory requirements, and the effective use of assurance and incident data to identify emerging risks and implement preventative controls.

Although this role will focus on Contractor Management, you will be flexible in leading additional risk categories across the business.

We deliver safety, warmth, and comfort to homes and businesses. Every role, whether in the office or on the front line, plays a key part in this mission. Here’s how you will contribute…

• Develop, review, and maintain health and safety policies aligned to regulatory standards and organisational risk priorities
• Identify operational risks within specialist areas, implement effective control measures, and ensure accurate reporting mechanisms are in place
• Monitor compliance through audits, inspections, and assurance activities, ensuring adherence to internal policies and external regulations
• Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, and clear communication to operational and leadership teams
• Lead incident investigations and root cause analysis, driving corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with stakeholders to embed safety culture, influence behavioural safety practices, and support change management activities
• Produce regular performance reports, analysing trends and insights to inform strategic safety improvements

What you will need

• A recognised health and safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH National General Certificate, IOSH Managing Safely, NVQ Level 3/5 in Occupational Health and Safety Practice), or equivalent knowledge gained through experience
• Knowledge or experience in key risk areas such as PPE, confined spaces, excavation, COSHH and working at height
• Understanding of relevant regulations (e.g. PUWER, LOLER, CDM, NRSWA), or the ability to quickly build knowledge and apply them in practical settings
• Experience supporting or contributing to risk assessments, incident investigations, and the implementation of control measures
• Ability to work with contractors and stakeholders to support safe working practices and monitor compliance with standards
• Experience contributing to safety policies, compliance activities, or engaging teams to apply safe ways of working in practice
• Background in gas, utilities, or other high-risk environments, or transferable experience from similar industries, with a general expectation of several years’ relevant experience
• Experience managing changing priority risk categories across Contractor management and other business areas

Not sure you meet every requirement?

Research shows some people – particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds – may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criteria. At SGN, we value diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If this role interests you but you’re not sure you tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. You might be just who we’re looking for – now or in the future.

Why SGN?

SGN leads pioneering research and development for a net-zero energy system. Our innovative technologies are transforming the gas industry while keeping people safe and warm. We are an award-winning employer, including CCA Gold Awards for Great Places to Work and Inclusivity and Accessibility, and a proud Gold member of the Armed Forces Covenant.

About us | Benefits | Diversity and inclusion

If you require any accommodations or support during the application process, reach out to us. We're here to help ensure an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone.