Senior HSE Advisor

James Fisher and Sons plc; Elrick; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Private Medical Insurance

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc invites applications for a Senior HSE Advisor based in Westhill, Aberdeen. You will provide expert guidance, lead assurance activities, investigations and continuous improvement across JFD operations and projects, ensuring compliance with UK legislation and ISO standards.

You will coach HSE teams, manage risk assessments and change processes for high‑risk environments, and support statutory reporting where needed. A security clearances requirement applies to this role.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent required, IOSH membership preferred.
• Proven HSE experience in high-risk environments (manufacturing, marine, engineering).
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and ISO 45001/ISO 14001.
• Experience leading investigations and root-cause analysis.
• Experience conducting HSE audits and assurance activities.
• Competent in risk assessment, safe systems of work and change management.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert HSE guidance to leaders and project teams.
• Identify, assess and control HSE risks across operations and sites.
• Develop and review risk assessments, safe systems of work and MOC for complex ops.
• Lead HSE audits, inspections and assurance activities, drive corrective actions.
• Manage incident reporting/investigations and share lessons learned.
• Support RIDDOR reporting and statutory requirements where applicable.
• Monitor HSE performance data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Coach and develop HSE Advisors and operations teams.
• Represent HSE in meetings, advising on risk, compliance and performance.

Skills

NEBOSH Diploma

IOSH membership

HSE experience

ISO 45001 knowledge

ISO 14001 knowledge

Incident investigations

Audits & assurance

MS Office

Education

NEBOSH Diploma or NVQ6 in Occupational Health & Safety

IOSH membership (or working towards)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role

Senior HSE Advisor Full-Time, Permanent Westhill, Aberdeen

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role:

As Senior HSE Advisor, you will provide expert guidance, assurance and leadership across JFD operations, projects and sites. Working closely with leaders across the business, you will help identify, manage and reduce HSE risks, ensuring compliance with legal, Group and company requirements while driving a positive and proactive safety culture. You will also lead assurance activities, investigations and continuous improvement initiatives, whilst supporting and developing HSE capability across the organisation.

What you'll be doing:

• Act as a trusted HSE advisor, providing expert guidance and constructive challenge to managers, project teams and operational personnel.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify, assess and control HSE risks, ensuring compliance with company, Group and legal requirements.
• Support the development and review of risk assessments, safe systems of work and Management of Change activities, particularly for higher-risk and complex operations.
• Lead HSE audits, inspections and assurance activities, identifying opportunities for improvement and driving actions through to completion.
• Manage incident reporting and investigations, ensuring lessons learned are shared and corrective actions are implemented effectively.
• Provide advice on RIDDOR reportability and support statutory reporting requirements where applicable.
• Monitor and analyse HSE performance data, identifying trends, emerging risks and opportunities to improve performance.
• Lead and support HSE improvement initiatives, workforce engagement activities and safety campaigns to strengthen HSE performance across the business.
• Support the continual improvement of the HSE Management System and ensure alignment with ISO 45001 requirements.
• Coach and develop HSE Advisors, managers and operational teams, helping to build HSE capability and foster a positive safety culture.
• Represent HSE at operational, project and management meetings, providing clear advice on risk, compliance and performance.

What we’re looking for:

Essential

• NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent, with membership of (or working towards membership of) IOSH.
• Proven HSE experience within manufacturing, engineering, marine, or other high‑risk operational environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and HSE management systems, including ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
• Experience leading incident investigations, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Experience carrying out HSE audits, inspections and assurance activities.
• Sound understanding of risk assessment, safe systems of work and risk management principles.
• Ability to provide pragmatic HSE advice, influence stakeholders and constructively challenge where required.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Well‑organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to obtain and maintain BPSS clearance.

Desirable

• NEBOSH Fire Certificate.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• Fire Risk Assessor qualification.
• PUWER Assessor qualification.
• DSE Assessor qualification.
• ISO 45001 Internal Auditor qualification.

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting‑edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA