Vice President, Wellbeing, Health and Safety

Virtus Data Centres Ltd; West Drayton; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data centre provider is seeking a VP of WH&S to lead safety initiatives across operations in the UK and Germany. The role involves developing health and safety strategies, conducting audits, and enhancing workplace wellbeing. Candidates should have extensive experience in health and safety management, strong leadership skills, and a relevant degree. This hybrid position requires 50% travel across the region.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in health and safety management, preferably within the construction or engineering sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams in a challenging environment.
• Strong understanding of workplace stress factors and mental health awareness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a WH&S strategy ensuring staff feel safe at work.
• Conduct regular health and safety audits and risk assessments.
• Drive a safety-first culture through training and engagement at all levels.

Skills

Health and Safety Management

Regulatory Compliance

Team Leadership

Interpersonal Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety

Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH)

Job description

Overview

About VIRTUS VIRTUS Data Centres is a rapidly growing European based data centre provider which owns, designs, builds and operates efficient and flexible data centres. Our current European expansion plans include 300MW+ campus developments in Berlin and Milan with further plans to expand into additional countries in Europe. Our first data centres are due to open in Berlin in 2026, quickly followed by other campuses. Our mission is to consistently exceed the expectations of customers through innovative, high-quality solutions and services. We employ intelligent thinkers – people with positive open and collaborative attitudes, who add to the quality of our customer proposition and business. We value individual endeavour and initiative and encourage teamwork and togetherness because collective experience and expertise is VIRTUS’ greatest strength.

Job Summary

As a leading data centre company with operations across the United Kingdom and Germany, we are committed to excellence in design, construction, and operations of our facilities. Our core strategic priorities are sustainability, innovation, and most importantly, ensuring the wellbeing, health and safety of all our stakeholders. To further strengthen our commitment to a safety-first culture, we are seeking a senior professional to lead our wellbeing, health and safety initiatives across all our operations.

As the VP of WH&S, your strategic imperative will be to serve as the chief advocate and strategic influencer for integrating wellbeing, health and safety priorities into the core business strategies, ensuring alignment with the company’s broader objectives. You will cultivate strong relationships with senior executives, operational leaders, and key stakeholders to facilitate a sustainable safety-first culture within every layer of the organisation, where WH&S is built into the fabric of everyday activities. You will spearhead innovative safety initiatives and policies that not only comply with regulatory requirements but also set new industry standards, driving organisational change and enhancing our competitive edge in the marketplace.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role includes but is not limited to the following:

• Develop and implement a cross-functional WH&S strategy that ensures all staff feel safe at work.
• Develop and implement comprehensive health and safety policies and procedures that align with company objectives and comply with local, national, and international regulations.
• Develop and monitor the VIRTUS High Risk Activity (HRA) planning and collaborative planning processes and monitor their adoption and use on construction projects and in operational spaces.
• Work with the Senior Management Team to evolve and improve the overall organisation’s safety maturity with a view to achieving a generative safety culture across all aspects of the business.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a small team of health and safety professionals, ensuring they are equipped to support the business effectively.
• Drive a safety-first culture across the organisation by promoting WH&S awareness, training, and engagement at all levels of the company.
• Develop key relationships and influence across the business: build and maintain strong, influential relationships with key stakeholders, including leadership teams, department heads, employees, and contractors. You will use your expertise and interpersonal skills to advocate for and embed a culture of WH&S excellence throughout the organisation and the contractor population.
• Through effective communication, collaboration, and strategic influence, you will ensure that health and safety priorities are integrated into business operations, decision-making processes and corporate culture, thereby fostering an environment where safety is recognized as a fundamental value and shared responsibility.
• Conduct regular health and safety audits, risk assessments, safety leadership walks and inspections across both construction and operational sites, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions.
• Work closely with the design and construction teams to ensure health and safety considerations are integrated from the early design stages of projects.
• Lead the investigation of incidents and near-misses, ensuring root causes are identified and addressed to prevent recurrence and promote a lessons-learned culture.
• Develop and monitor key WH&S performance indicators, reporting regularly to senior management and making recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Manage the safety incident escalation process within VIRTUS for awareness to senior managers depending on severity of event.
• Track and monitor ongoing safety performance metrics across the organisation in accordance with OSHA standards and any applicable local standards. Develop leading indicator scorecards and initiatives as well as recording incidents and lagging safety indicators.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, external health and safety consultants, and other stakeholders to keep abreast of legislative changes and industry best practices.
• Oversee the management of occupational health programmes, including wellness initiatives and support for mental health.
• Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager.

In summary, success in the role will be evidenced by a safer, more aware and health-oriented workplace, with quantifiable improvements in safety metrics, all regulatory compliance, and colleague well-being within the first 12 months with a clear roadmap to generative both in the standards we set and the “lived experience” seen at all levels of the business.

Person Specification

• Experience in the data centre sector, experience either directly or indirectly with hyperscale data centre operators, lease providers or allied high complexity, process driven sectors such as PetroChem/Pharma/Process/Aviation/Manufacturing,/Energy.
• A bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering, or related field. A master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH) is highly desirable.
• Extensive experience in health and safety management, preferably within the construction, engineering, data centre or allied sectors.
• A very strong understanding of workplace stress factors and awareness of mental health issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety regulations and standards applicable in the UK and Europe particularly Germany.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing health and safety strategies and initiatives that have significantly improved performance.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels of an organisation.
• Fluency in English is essential; proficiency in German would be a significant advantage but not mandatory.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role, which could be based in the UK or Germany, with 50% travel across the UK, Germany and the wider EMEA region required on a regular basis.

Additional Information

In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.

VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.

VIRTUS Data Centres does not accept unsolicited support from search firms for employment openings. CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any VIRTUS employee without an active, written search agreement for a specified role will become the property of VIRTUS. No fees will be paid for candidates hired from agency submissions made without such an agreement. Existing agency partnerships must adhere to position-specific terms outlined in their agreements. Please refrain from calling or emailing regarding this matter.