Head of Health and Safety Full Time NEW

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire
Public Sector Resourcing

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

Application Close Date:

13th August