SVP Head of Global EHS

Evotec; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Global leadership role

Job summary

Evotec is seeking a seasoned Global Head of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) to lead the continued evolution of our EHS function across locations and business units. The role requires strategic direction, operational leadership, and expert guidance with a focus on governance, regulation, and performance.

The candidate will drive digital transformation, establish robust risk management and reporting, and partner with Sustainability to strengthen ESG disclosures.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive EHS leadership in global, multi-site environments.
• Proven track record leading mature global EHS programs with digital systems and governance.
• Deep knowledge of OSHA, EU regulations, chemical safety, and sustainability integration.
• Experience with API containment and industrial hygiene programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development and execution of Evotec’s global EHS strategy across all sites.
• Drive digital transformation of EHS systems and reporting dashboards.
• Oversee global certification and continuous improvement of ISO 14001, ISO 45001.
• Ensure global compliance with regulatory requirements and safe handling of hazardous materials.
• Represent EHS in executive forums, audits, and external partnerships.

Skills

Global EHS leadership

Strategic direction

Regulatory knowledge

Executive communication

Crisis management

Change & digital transformation

Education

Master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Sustainability, or related

Job description

About EHS At Evotec

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) is a core pillar of Evotec’s commitment to scientific excellence, operational resilience, and sustainable growth. Over recent years, Evotec has established a global EHS strategy, and embedded EHS governance into business operations across all sites.

EHS is closely aligned with Evotec’s People Strategy, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive and perform at their best. In addition, Wellbeing has become a key pillar within EHS, reflecting a holistic approach that integrates physical safety, mental health, and overall employee wellbeing.

Working in close partnership with Operations and Sustainability as key stakeholders/ partners, EHS plays a central role in ensuring responsible, efficient, and future-ready business practices.

The Global Head of EHS reports to the Chief People Officer and plays a critical leadership role in shaping the company’s culture, ensuring that EHS supports Evotec’s mission to deliver world‑class science while protecting people, the environment, and the communities in which we operate.

The Position

Evotec is seeking an experienced and visionary Global Head of Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) to lead the continued evolution of our EHS function. This role provides strategic direction, operational leadership, and expert guidance across all locations and business units. The Global Head ensures that EHS partners with the business on all EHS‑related topics, including.

This position requires a leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, innovative environment and who can influence at all levels of the organization, from site operations to the Management Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development and execution of Evotec’s global EHS strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, the people strategy, sustainability goals, and regulatory expectations.
• Drive digital transformation of EHS systems, including predictive analytics, real‑time monitoring, and global reporting dashboards.
• Strengthen a proactive, high‑performance EHS culture across all sites and functions.
• Management Systems & Compliance
• Oversee global certification, maintenance, and continuous improvement of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and other relevant management systems.
• Ensure global compliance with current and emerging regulations, including chemical safety, occupational health, environmental protection, and climate‑related disclosure requirements.
• Integrate EHS processes into enterprise systems, governance frameworks, and operational workflows.
• Implement advanced risk-reduction methodologies, including behavior‑based safety, and predictive risk modeling.
• Ensure scalable, efficient risk management processes for all of Evotec’s operations.
• Lead investigations using established methodologies and ensure lessons learned are shared and embedded.
• Own global EHS KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks, ensuring transparency, accuracy, and alignment with internal and external stakeholders – reporting into executive forums
• Support enterprise risk management processes and ensure EHS considerations are integrated into strategic decision-making.
• Partner with Sustainability to strengthen ESG reporting and disclosures.
• Represent EHS in customer audits, partnerships, and due‑diligence activities.
• Build strong relationships with regulatory agencies, industry groups, and external partners.
• Collaborate closely with Operations and Sustainability leaders to ensure EHS contributes to operational excellence and sustainability targets.
• Serve as the executive EHS voice in global forums and regulatory dialogues.
• Support EHS aspects of global crisis management, emergency preparedness, and business continuity frameworks.
• Ensure readiness for evolving global risks, including climate events, geopolitical disruptions, and public health emergencies.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing global EHS organization, fostering capability building, succession planning, and a culture of accountability.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the EHS team and across EHS initiatives.
• Advance the Wellbeing agenda as a core leadership priority across the organization.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and leadership development to EHS professionals at all levels.
• Pharmaceutical Sector Specifics: Chemical & Bio Safety
• Lead the global framework for onboarding and safe handling of APIs, including highly potent compounds, ensuring robust containment strategies aligned with Evotec’s occupational exposure limits (OELs) and occupational exposure bands (OEBs).
• Oversee industrial hygiene programs, including exposure assessment, monitoring, and control verification across all laboratory and manufacturing environments.
• Ensure excellence in chemical safety management across the full lifecycle, including classification, storage, handling, transport, and disposal in compliance with global regulations (e.g., REACH, GHS, CLP).
• Ensure appropriate biosafety containment strategies (BSL classifications) are defined, implemented, and consistently applied across all laboratory and development environments.
• Integrate biosafety into occupational health programs, including exposure response, immunisation strategies, and health surveillance where appropriate.
• Provide technical expertise and governance for occupational health globally.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in global, multi-site scientific, pharmaceutical, biotech, or high‑tech environments.
• Proven track record leading mature global EHS programs, including digital systems, global governance, and cross-regional teams.
• Deep knowledge of global EHS regulatory frameworks, including OSHA, EU regulations, chemical safety, etc.
• Experience of EHS digitalisation
• Experience of EHS and sustainability integration
• Demonstrated experience with API containment and industrial hygiene programs.
• Strong understanding of: OEL/OEB frameworks, Exposure modelling, Engineering controls (isolators, containment systems)
• Experience in regulated pharma/biotech environments involving potent compounds.
• Demonstrated experience in process safety and engineering risk management within chemical, pharma, or biotech environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in biosafety and biological risk management within pharmaceutical or biotech environments, including experience with GMOs, biological containment, and global biosafety regulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in crisis management, emergency response, and business continuity.
• Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills, including experience presenting at Executive and Board levels.
• English fluency required; additional languages beneficial.
• Master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene, Safety Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Sustainability, or a related field.
• Advanced professional certifications strongly preferred (e.g., CSP, CIH, CMIOSH, ESG‑related credentials).

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.