Head of HSE Major Projects

Head of HSE - Major Projects

Permanent, Full-time

Location:

Field based with regular travel nationwide

Are you an experienced HSE leader with a proven track record of driving high standards across major construction or energy infrastructure programmes? Can you set uncompromising standards, influence senior stakeholders and hold complex contractor environments to account while maintaining a strong, credible presence on site?

If so, this could be the role for you!

Drax is looking for a Head of HSE - Major Projects to define, lead and implement the HSE standards across a portfolio of large-scale capital projects. Working alongside Project Directors, you'll make sure new-build and construction programmes are delivered safely, compliantly and in line with Drax's expectations.

This is a high impact role spanning complex, high-risk infrastructure programmes, including power generation, energy infrastructure and engineering developments. You'll set client-side HSE expectations for EPC contractors and suppliers, provide executive-level assurance and create the conditions for excellent safety performance across every stage of project delivery.

Who we are:
We’re not just talking about making a difference, we’re making it happen. We generate dispatchable, renewable power and create stable energy in an uncertain world. Building on our proud heritage, we have ambition to become the global leader in sustainable biomass and carbon removals.

You’ll be joining our teams of practical doers, future thinkers and business champions. We’re enabling a zero carbon, lower cost energy future for all, and working hard to decarbonise the planet for generations to come.

About the role:
Reporting to the Group HSE Director, with a dotted line to the Project Development & Delivery Director, you’ll lead the HSE agenda across major capital projects. You’ll work closely with project teams to set out clear standards, effective assurance and provide a strong on-site performance.

This is a broad, highly visible role requiring someone who can shape HSE programmes while remaining closely connected to delivery on the ground. You’ll provide leadership across a multi-project environment, ensuring legal and statutory requirements are met, risks are controlled and contractors understand exactly what good looks like. From pre-construction planning and contract requirements through to construction, commissioning and handover, you’ll embed HSE into decisions and delivery.

Key accountabilities include:

• Develop and implement the HSE strategy and delivery framework across Drax’s major infrastructure construction projects, aligned with corporate risk management objectives and safety expectations.
• Define clear minimum HSE standards from a client perspective, for principal contractors, EPC organisations, contractors and suppliers, and ensure these are consistently reflected in employer requirements and contract awards.
• Lead safety culture and behavioural safety initiatives that create a positive, proactive and accountable project environment.
• Establish risk-based monitoring, audit and assurance programmes, providing clear assurance to executive leadership, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Identify systemic risks, reoccurring themes and opportunities for improvement across projects, ensuring learning is translated into stronger standards and delivery

Who we’re looking for:
You’ll be an accomplished and influential HSE leader with a strong track record of driving high standards across major construction, infrastructure or energy projects.

You’ll have a proven track record of shaping HSE outcomes within large-scale, high-risk capital programmes and be comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments involving project teams, contractors, regulators and senior leadership.

Critically, you’ll bring a breadth of experience across the full project lifecycle – from the early development, pre-construction through construction, commissioning and handover. You’ll have worked across a range of contracting arrangements and be credible operating from the perspectives of the client, principal contractor and contractor.

This role requires a rare combination: someone capable…