Head of Health & Safety

Position: Head of Health & Safety
Part of the Volker Wessels UK Group, Volker Stevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group's business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

Head of Health & Safety

Location:

Based from our Preston Head Office, with UK-wide travel to support key strategic frameworks including United Utilities, MOD, Sizewell C and the Environment Agency.

Lead Safety Excellence Across Some of the UK's Most Critical Infrastructure Projects

At Volker Stevin, safety is more than a priority, it's a core value at the heart of everything we do. We're seeking an exceptional Head of Health & Safety to provide strategic leadership across our business and drive continual improvement throughout some of the UK's most significant infrastructure frameworks.

This is a rare opportunity to shape health and safety performance across major programmes including United Utilities, Ministry of Defence (MOD), Sizewell C and the Environment Agency, ensuring the highest standards of governance, compliance and behavioural safety are embedded across every aspect of our operations.

The Role

Reporting to the SHEQ Director, you will lead the development and delivery of Volker Stevin's health and safety strategy, providing expert guidance and assurance across multiple business streams. Working closely with Directors, senior leaders and operational teams, you will champion a proactive safety culture while ensuring compliance with legal and industry requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and deliver the strategic direction for health and safety across the business.
Lead and develop Health & Safety teams, ensuring capability and resource requirements are met.
Drive consistency and collaboration between Health & Safety functions across all business streams.
Provide expert advice to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and best practice.
Monitor legal changes and maintain the effectiveness of the Integrated Management System (IMS).
Champion behavioural safety initiatives, including the ongoing implementation of Safety Ripple.
Lead assurance activities, internal audits and external certification processes.
Monitor incidents, audits and inspections, ensuring effective close-out and continual improvement.
Produce performance reports and provide meaningful insights to senior leadership.
Develop engaging health and safety communications and campaigns.
Represent Volker Stevin at Group-level meetings, forums and industry working groups.
Manage budgets and ensure effective financial control within the function.

About You

We're looking for an influential, forward-thinking health and safety leader who can drive positive change across a complex infrastructure environment.

Essential Skills & Experience

Significant senior-level Health & Safety experience within civil engineering, construction, infrastructure, utilities, defence, nuclear or related sectors.
Proven ability to develop and implement health and safety strategies across large, multi-site operations.
Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, management systems and assurance processes.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Executive and Board level.
Passion for behavioural safety and continuous improvement.
About you

Relevant health & safety experience in Construction / Civil engineering
NEBOSH Diploma for Occupational Health & Safety Management Professionals. CMIOSH/FMIOSH
Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice,

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

Volker Stevin is under the umbrella of Volker Wessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors…