QHSE Manager and Site Security Responsible
Location: Westhill, Aberdeen, Scotland
Team: Global QHSE Team
Reporting to: Site General Manager
Functional dotted-line reporting: Vice President QHSE and Director HSE
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
People management: Individual contributor role with functional leadership responsibilities
Work arrangement: Primarily site-based in Aberdeen, with flexibility to work remotely when operational requirements allow
Travel: Occasional travel within the UK, including Bristol, and internationally, as required. Some overnight stays may be necessary.
About us
Kongsberg Discovery
At Kongsberg Discovery, we map the unknown and help protect the future of our oceans.
As a standalone business area within the global KONGSBERG Group, we are a world leader in underwater technology, marine robotics, ocean mapping and naval surveillance. We develop advanced sensor, positioning and robotic solutions that enable customers across science, commerce and defence to understand and operate within the marine environment.
Joining Kongsberg Discovery means becoming part of a global team of specialists and pioneers developing sustainable technologies for some of the world’s most complex environments—from the deepest ocean trenches to space.
Kongsberg Discovery UK – Aberdeen
Our Aberdeen operation, based in Westhill at the heart of the UK’s energy and marine innovation hub, plays an important role in delivering our global mission.
The team provides advanced hydroacoustic, positioning and autonomous solutions for customers operating in the North Sea and international markets. Working in Aberdeen means joining a highly skilled and collaborative environment where local engineering expertise contributes to global projects and long-term impact.
You will work alongside colleagues supporting the energy transition, ocean science and marine security, helping to advance what is possible beneath the waves.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced QHSE Manager and Site Security Responsible to take a key leadership role in shaping Quality, Health, Safety, Environmental and Security standards at our UK sites.
The role sits within the Global QHSE Team and is embedded in the Aberdeen site leadership structure. Reporting directly to the Site General Manager, the role has functional dotted-line reporting relationships to the Vice President QHSE and the Director HSE.
You will act as the principal UK interface with the global QHSE organisation and work closely with local leadership, employees and international stakeholders.
You will provide practical and strategic QHSE leadership, strengthen governance, build a positive safety and quality culture, manage operational risks and drive continuous improvement across the site.
This is a high-impact role for someone who combines sound regulatory knowledge, operational judgement and the confidence to engage constructively with stakeholders at all levels.
The position is primarily a functional leadership role. Direct line-management experience is not essential, but you should be comfortable leading through influence, coordination and project delivery.
Key responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Maintain effective site-level QHSE and security governance in line with the company’s Business Management System, policies and accountability framework.
- Advise and collaborate with site leadership to ensure that QHSE responsibilities, risks and critical controls are clearly understood and effectively managed.
- Act as the main UK contact for health, safety and environmental coordination, working closely with the Global QHSE Team.
- Contribute as an active member of the Global QHSE Team, supporting global priorities, standards and continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Translate global QHSE strategy, policies and expectations into practical and effective actions for UK operations.
- Manage applicable certification and assurance programmes, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
- Coordinate and lead internal and external audits, ensuring that findings and corrective actions are addressed within agreed timescales.
- Lead the local use of Synergi or an equivalent QHSE management system, including training, incident and case management, action tracking, reporting and dashboards.
- Monitor compliance with relevant UK legislation, regulatory obligations and company standards, liaising with authorities or specialist advisers when required.
- Maintain proportionate incident response, emergency preparedness and business continuity arrangements based on site-specific risk scenarios.
- Support or lead incident and near-miss investigations, helping managers identify root causes, communicate findings and implement effective corrective actions.
- Maintain QHSE training records and coordinate initial and refresher training requirements.
- Develop and maintain risk-based assurance activities across Service Engineering and Operations.
- Monitor and report key performance indicators, including accidents, near misses, total recordable incidents, energy use, waste and cost of non-quality.
- Support environmental and sustainability objectives and identify practical opportunities for site improvement.
- Promote employee health and wellbeing in partnership with site leadership and HR.
- Act as the Site Security Responsible, coordinating applicable physical and information security requirements and supporting the site’s compliance with ISO/IEC 27001 controls.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the scope and seniority of the role.
What we are looking for
We would like to hear from candidates who can demonstrate:
- Experience managing quality, health and safety, environmental or integrated QHSE activities within an operational environment.
- A relevant degree, recognised professional qualification or equivalent practical experience.
- Working knowledge of applicable UK health, safety and environmental legislation.
- Experience implementing or improving management systems, policies and operational controls.
- Experience coordinating audits, assurance activities, corrective actions or certification programmes.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to influence, advise and constructively challenge stakeholders at different organisational levels.
- A structured and evidence-based approach to risk, compliance and continuous improvement.
- Strong organisational, prioritisation and attention-to-detail skills.
- Confidence using business systems, reporting tools and standard Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience working effectively with operational, engineering or service-based teams.
Desirable experience
The following experience would be advantageous, but is not essential:
- Chartered or professional membership of a relevant body, such as IOSH, IEMA or CQI.
- A recognised lead auditor or internal auditor qualification.
- Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or ISO/IEC 27001.
- Experience using Synergi or a comparable QHSE management platform.
- Environmental, sustainability or carbon-management expertise.
- Experience in engineering, marine, energy, manufacturing or technical service operations.
- Experience supporting emergency response or business continuity planning.
You do not need to meet every desirable criterion to apply. If you bring relevant transferable experience and the motivation to make an impact, we would be pleased to hear from you.
What success will look like
In your first 6 to 12 months, success will mean that you have:
- Built trusted relationships with site leadership, employees and the Global QHSE Team.
- Established a clear view of the site’s principal QHSE and security risks, controls and assurance priorities.
- Maintained strong audit and certification readiness.
- Improved the quality, timeliness and visibility of incident reporting, action close-out and management information.
- Confirmed that emergency response and business continuity arrangements are practical, proportionate and effective.
- Delivered a prioritised continuous-improvement plan for the Aberdeen site.
What we offer
- A competitive salary package, with appointment within the range reflecting your skills, experience and the value you will bring to the role.
- 35 days’ annual leave, inclusive of public holidays, supporting a healthy balance between work and personal time.
- Employer pension contribution to support your long-term financial wellbeing.
- A strong benefits package including Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Company Sick Pay and access to a Benefits Card.
- Flexible or hybrid working arrangements where operational requirements allow, recognising the importance of trust, autonomy and collaboration.
- The opportunity to shape QHSE and site security practices in a visible role within an international engineering and technology organisation.
- Meaningful work contributing to advanced technologies that support ocean science, the energy transition and marine security.
Equality, inclusion and accessibility
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to providing a fair, inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application, assessment and interview process. Please contact [recruitment email or contact method] if you would like to discuss any support you may need.
Right to work and pre-employment checks
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful candidate demonstrating their right to work in the UK. Right-to-work checks will be completed consistently for all successful candidates.
Any additional screening required due to the security responsibilities of the role will be relevant and proportionate, explained in advance and handled in accordance with our candidate privacy notice.
How to apply
To apply, please submit:
- A brief supporting statement explaining how your experience aligns with the essential requirements of the role.
We may close the vacancy before the stated closing date if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications, so we encourage early applications.
