Safety and Environment Director

Northern; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Safety & Environment Director to lead the charge in enhancing operational standards and compliance within the railway sector. This role is pivotal in driving safety, environmental, and security improvements while managing risks across multiple areas. The ideal candidate will possess a NEBOSH qualification and a strong background in railway operations, ready to influence change and foster a culture of accountability. Join a collaborative team in a dynamic environment where your expertise will shape the future of safe and sustainable railway operations.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety regulations in a railway context.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and influencing cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Assess and prioritize emerging risks while implementing robust mitigation strategies.
• Engage stakeholders to embed safety and environmental improvements across the organization.

Skills

Health & Safety Regulations

Risk Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Fatigue Management

Education

NEBOSH Qualification

Job description

Safety & Environment Director

Location: York or Manchester

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent

About The Role

We are seeking an operationally minded leader with a deep understanding of railway operations, regulatory compliance, and risk management. As the Safety & Environment Director, and member of the Northern Trains Board, you will play a critical role in enhancing operational standards, managing risk across multiple business areas, and ensuring compliance with railway and other statutory regulations.

This role is regulatory-focused, requiring someone with the influence, strategic mindset, and leadership skills to drive safety, environmental and security improvements, cultural change and risk mitigation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Risk Identification & Prioritisation – Assess emerging risks and implement a robust risk mitigation and climate resilience strategy.
2. Influencing & Driving Change – Engage stakeholders at all levels to embed safety, environmental, security health and wellbeing improvements across the organisation.
3. Delegation & Leadership – Foster a culture of accountability, ensuring the right teams take ownership of key projects while maintaining an overarching focus on safety and environmental requirements.

Key Challenges You'll Tackle

1. Managing Risk in a Changing Environment – Adapting to ongoing business and infrastructure transformation, ensuring the safe management of business change under the ROGS Regulations.
2. Working in a Unionised Environment – Navigating the complexities of a unionised workforce in the field of operational and occupational health and safety.
3. Evolving Business Demands – Maintaining a strong safety culture amid changing operational requirements.
4. Adapting to Climate Change - Development of Northern’s pathway to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

What We’re Looking For

1. NEBOSH Qualification (Essential) – Strong knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and their application within a railway environment.
2. Railway Operations Experience (Preferred) – Background in rail operations, which may include one or more of the following - traincrew operations, infrastructure maintenance, rail vehicle engineering and fleet management, standards and legislative compliance.
3. Stakeholder Engagement Expertise – Ability to influence cross-functional teams and operational leaders to drive change. Developing a mature stakeholder relationship with ORR, RNP and DfT.
4. Fatigue Management Experience – Proactive approach to fatigue risk management and sustainable workforce planning.

What Makes a Successful Safety & Environment Director?

1. Strong Time Management & Prioritisation – The ability to stay strategic and avoid operational overload, whilst maintaining an effective reach across the business.
2. Regulatory Expertise – Maintaining a strong relationship with ORR, RAIB and DfT, including ensuring compliance and adoption of best practices.
3. Leadership & Influence – Driving cultural change, ensuring safety remains a top priority across the organisation.

Why Join Us?

At Northern Trains, safety, the environment and compliance are at the heart of what we do. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Northern Trains, working with a collaborative team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.