Job Title: Head of Health and Safety
Location: Aberdeen/Edinburgh
Reporting to: CCO
Number of Roles Available: 1
Company Overview:
Join Great British Energy and be part of powering the UK’s Clean Energy Future.
At GBE, we’re not just building an energy company - we’re shaping the future of the UK’s energy landscape.
Our mission is clear:
- Drive clean energy deployment across the UK as a strategic developer, investor, and owner of renewable projects
- Deliver benefits for communities and taxpayers, ensuring the clean energy transition creates jobs, boosts local economies, and increases public ownership
- We focus on innovation, sustainability, and impact, working on projects that matter from large-scale national renewable investments to empowering local and community energy initiatives
Joining GBE means:
- Purpose-driven work Be part of a national effort to accelerate the clean energy transition
- Career growth Opportunities to develop expertise in cutting-edge energy technologies and strategic investment
- Collaboration and flexibility Work with passionate professionals in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment
If you want to make a real difference and help power a greener, fairer future for the UK, GBE is the place for you.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
About the Role:
As GBE grows rapidly, we are building an organisation that will invest in and operate energy projects by combining the pace and innovation of the private sector with the purpose and accountability of the public sector. Safety is fundamental to how we operate - not simply compliance with legislation, but creating a culture where every colleague and partner goes home safe every day. This role is central to building that culture.
GBE is seeking an experienced Health, Safety, Wellbeing & Security (HSWS) leader who has successfully helped organisations scale through periods of rapid growth, organisational change and technical expansion.
You will create the foundations of our Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Security (HSWS) framework, embedding a safety culture that supports collaboration, innovation and high performance.
Working across corporate and technical teams, you will help ensure that safety, wellbeing and security become integral to how GBE makes decisions, develops capability and delivers its strategic priorities.
Purpose of the Role:
Lead the development of Great British Energy's Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Security capability by creating the systems, governance, leadership behaviours and organisational culture required to support a rapidly growing public energy company.
You will build capability across the organisation rather than directly manage operational safety activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of Great British Energy’s Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Security strategy, framework and management systems, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and supporting effective Board and Executive oversight
- Lead the integration of Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Security across the development, construction, commissioning and operation of Great British Energy's infrastructure portfolio, ensuring appropriate governance, assurance and risk management arrangements are established throughout the asset lifecycle
- Lead the development of proportionate physical, personnel and operational security arrangements, ensuring security risks are identified, assessed and managed appropriately across corporate activities, project development, infrastructure assets and delivery partners
- Establish policies, standards, governance arrangements and assurance mechanisms that embed HSWS across the organisation including site, developments and office
- Establish HAZID/HAZOP process, management of change, contractor safety management, asset integrity management
- Responsible for business continuity and, emergency response plans
- Drive the development of a positive, high-performing safety culture through visible leadership, behavioural safety principles, psychological safety and a strong focus on wellbeing, creating an environment where everyone takes ownership for safety
- Build fit for purpose team by managing recruitment, onboarding and capability development, ensuring consistent standards and practices are embedded as new teams and functions are established
- Lead the development and implementation of Great British Energy's Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Security culture frameworks
- Establish robust assurance arrangements across delivery partners, contractors, consultants, project developers and joint venture partners to ensure consistent application of GBE standards throughout the delivery model
- Develop governance processes that support Board and Executive oversight, risk management, incident learning, audit, assurance and continuous improvement, providing clear insight and reporting to governance forums
- Shape corporate approaches to wellbeing, occupational health, resilience, business continuity and security, while acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, coaching and influencing them to strengthen safety leadership, improve organisational safety maturity, embed wellbeing and drive positive behavioural change
- Establish and maintain ISO 9001 and 45001 certification
- Support investments and grants with HSWS assessments and developing minimum due diligence criteria and grant thresholds
- Lead HSWS committee and develop a robust HSWS reporting that covers office, site, portfolio and development activity
- Establish HSWS KPI’s
Qualifications and Experience:
Essential:
- NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent)
- Degree or equivalent professional experience
- Developing organisational safety cultures
- Building Health & Safety capability in growing organisations
- Implementing Hearts and Minds or behavioural safety programmes
- Supporting organisational transformation
- Working across multiple technical disciplines
- Developing Safety Management Systems
- Building governance and assurance frameworks
- Executive stakeholder management
- Coaching senior leaders
- Influencing organisational behaviour
- Creating wellbeing programmes
- Managing corporate risk
- Strongunderstanding of:
- ISO 45001
- Health & Safety at Work Act
- Corporate Governance
- Risk Management
- Human Factors
- Behavioural Safety
- Organisational Development
- Contractor Assurance
Desirable:
- Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH)
Personal Qualities:
- Takes ownership, shows confidence in decision-making, and is willing to challenge constructively
- Focuses on delivering meaningful outcomes and making a positive, lasting impact
- Works collaboratively, valuing different perspectives and building inclusive relationships
- Proactive and adaptable, with a curiosity to explore new ideas and improve ways of working
- Resilient and resourceful in a fast-paced environment
What We Offer:
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Excellent pension scheme
- 4x salary life assurance
- Group income protection
- 38 days annual leave
- Flexible working arrangements
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Supportive, inclusive working environment
How to Apply:
For further information please contact:
Pearse O'Brien
Principal Talent Acquisition Specialist
[email protected]
[email protected]
Application Close Date:
13th August
