We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.
Portsmouth Water is seeking a supportive Head of Health & Safety to nurture our “Safety Always” culture and enhance excellence across all operations. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, with a dotted line to the CEO, you’ll hold a pivotal role in shaping how we protect, support and empower our people. You will guide our Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategy, developing and maintaining a robust Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) and delivering programmes that meet regulatory standards, reflect industry best practice, and enhance employee wellbeing.
What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities
Develop and implement a strategic health, safety, and wellbeing plan aligned with the company goals.
Responsible for the maintaining and developing our Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) built on the principles of HSG65: Managing health and Safety. Responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring performance of the Health, Safety strategy, policies and controls and develop and promote initiatives that enhance the overall wellbeing of employees.
Guide the strategic and tactical direction of the health and safety team.
Carry out regular site visits and inspections, working with operatives at all levels to ensure that the business remains compliant with regulations, but more importantly promotes a ‘safety always’ culture with a focus on providing a safe working environment, enabled by Information, Instruction, training and management of risk.
Ensure that all incidents and accidents are reported and investigated to establish learning and improvement actions. Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions plans to prevent recurrences.
Support to ensure that suitable and sufficient regular risk assessments are undertaken for all workplaces and activities and that the content and controls are observed as part of the day job.
Guide, develop and manage Occupational Health and Safety input into reports, presentations, and briefings, to initiate informed decisions and update stakeholders.
Guide and manage the process of assessing Occupational Health and Safety performance and identify, draft, and implement Health and Safety Policy and Procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry best practices.
Develop and implement strategies to control and mitigate risks, ensuring a safe working environment.
Ensure the Exec, leadership team and supervisors are actively engaged in meaningful, positive safety inspections to promote a learning and continuous improvement culture.
Collate Leading and Lagging metrics on performance to identify trends and provide monthly performance information to the main board and our H&S Committee.
Nurture a collaborative culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team and with our delivery partners, demonstrating efficiency, best practice, and innovation.
What do you need?
Skills, Qualifications & Competencies
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Self-directed, enthusiastic, and able to foster collaborative working. Proven ability to engage with Occupational Health and Safety stakeholders at local, regional, and national levels. Strong knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation, policy, and best practice.
Proven project management capability.
Experience of managing teams and professional service consultants, including management of budgets.
Good creativity and analytical skills, with the ability to review and write health and safety management strategies, plans, polices, procedures and technical reports.
Problem-sensing and decision-making skills with the ability to provide analysis, interpretation and root causes of events as well as providing pragmatic recommendations.
Proficient in the use of Office365 applications including MSForms.
Demonstrable practical experience in guiding Occupational Health and Safety management.
Demonstrable experience of guiding a team.
Risk management, method statement review, site inspections and investigations.
CDM regulations implementation as Client and or Principal Designer.
CSCS / NEBOSH / IOSH / SMSTS qualifications.
Relevant Professional Membership.
Full driving licence (applicants required to undertake a driver assessment).
If you are successful for the role, you will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks that will include a basic disclosure check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the national security vetting process for either a CTC or SC clearance check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon completion and receipt of satisfactory checks.
We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.
Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.
Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.
What can Portsmouth Water offer you?
At Portsmouth Water, we believe in rewarding our people. Here’s just a taste of what’s waiting for you when you join the team:
Holidays Made Better
Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
A Pension That Works for You
We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
Performance Pays Off
You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 15% of your basic salary, linked to company performance because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
Family Comes First
Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
Social Events
All expenses covered summer and winter social events
Peace of Mind, Always
Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
Comprehensive Wellbeing Support
Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
Additional Support When You Need It
We know life has its ups and downs. That’s why we offer Private Medical Insurance - provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare and 24/7 confidential support.
PW Perks Treat Yourself!
Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like:
