Overview:
Our Client is looking to recruit a Site based HSE Manager.
The Site-Based Senior HSE Manager is accountable for end-to-end HSE leadership, governance, and execution at site.
The role ensures that Health, Safety, Environmental, and Permit Controls are:
- Fully embedded into site execution
- Aligned with client requirements, standards, and UK legislation (HSWA, CDM 2015)
- Consistently applied across all contractors and subcontractors
- Supported by robust assurance, risk management, and leadership engagement
This position bridges strategy and execution, acting as the single point of HSE authority on site while maintaining alignment with project and regional HSE governance frameworks.
Responsibilities:
Site based Senior HSE Manager provides visible, authoritative HSE leadership for the Heidelberg Materials project, ensuring that health, safety and environmental risks are effectively managed throughout project delivery. The role is accountable for developing, implementing and assuring the Project HSE Management System in alignment with:
- Heidelberg Materials HSE requirements
- HSE Management System
- UK regulatory requirements (HSWA, CDM 2015)
- Applicable international standards (e.g. ISO 45001 & ISO 14001)
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing and coordinating the Project HSE Team
- Supporting project delivery through strategic HSE oversight
- Providing direct support to sites through targeted site visits
- Developing and maintaining project specific HSE strategies, standards, and procedures
- Ensuring alignment with corporate, client, and regulatory HSE requirements
The role acts as the Senior HSE authority on the project, advising the Project Director and Site Leadership team, and setting clear expectations for contractors and subcontractors.
HSE Leadership & Culture
- Provide visible, site-based HSE leadership, setting expectations for safe behaviours and aligned with LIFE
- Champion LIFE and client HSE values across all site activities
- Act as principal HSE PoC to the Project Director, Site Director, and Site Leadership Team
- Drive a positive safety culture, promoting proactive hazard identification and intervention
Site HSE Management System (Execution & Governance)
Lead implementation of the Project HSE Management System at site, including:
- HSE Plans and procedures
- CDM compliance strategy
- Environmental management controls
Ensure alignment with:
- Client requirements
- HSE Management System
- ISO 45001 & ISO 14001 principles
- UK regulatory requirements
- Translate project-level governance into practical, site-operational controls
Permit to Work (PtW)
- Manage and provide leadership to the Permit Coordinators, including oversight of roles operating within the PtW framework
Support the effective implementation of the PtW system such that it:
- Provides appropriate control of high-risk activities (e.g. confined space entry, hot work, SIMOPS)
- Interfaces with risk assessment and isolation processes (e.g. LOTO, energy isolation)
- Establishes clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines across all contractor
Conduct assurance to confirm:
- Permit compliance in the field
- Quality and effectiveness of risk controls
- Interface management between concurrent activities
- Drive continuous improvement of Permit processes and digital systems
Contractor & Subcontractor HSE Control
Ensure all contractors:
- Understand and comply with project HSE and PtW requirements
- Have clearly defined HSE responsibilities and accountabilities
Monitor contractor performance through:
- Inspections, audits, and KPI tracking
- Intervention where standards fall below expectation
- Provide clarity on HSE control vs responsibility (client, contractor)
Assurance, Audit & Compliance
- Develop and execute a risk-based HSE Assurance Programme, including:
- Site inspections
- System audits
- Contractor audits
Ensure compliance with:
- UK legal requirements (HSWA, CDM, environmental legislation)
- Client and our standards
- Lead readiness and mobilisation reviews for construction activities
Incident Management & Learning
Ensure robust systems for:
- Incident and near miss reporting
- Investigation and root cause analysis
- Corrective and preventive actions
- Lead investigation of high-potential and significant incidents
- Ensure lessons learned are embedded across contractors and site teams
Team Leadership & Competence
Lead and develop:
- Site HSE team
- Permit to Work team
- Training & competence programmes
Ensure:
- Adequate resourcing for site risk profile
- Competence of personnel performing safety-critical roles
- Ongoing coaching and leadership development
- Provide functional leadership aligned to UK HSE strategy
Stakeholder & Interface Management
Act as the primary HSE interface on site with:
- Client HSE representatives
- Contractors and subcontractors
- Project and construction leadership
Align site execution with:
- Project HSE strategy
- Client objectives and expectations
Influence decision-making to balance:
- Safety
- Schedule
- Operational efficiency
Key Objective Outcomes
- Achieve full compliance with Permit to Work requirements
- Demonstrate effective contractor HSE control
- Maintain audit-ready HSE systems and legal compliance
Drive measurable improvements in:
- Safety culture
- Leading indicators (interventions, inspections)
- Risk reduction
Decision Making and Authority
Full authority over:
- Site HSE systems and performance
- Permit to Work system and approvals framework
- HSE team and permit team structure and capability
Provides independent professional judgement on:
- Work stoppage where risk is unacceptable
- Contractor performance and compliance actions
- HSE risk acceptance (ALARP basis)
Internal & External Interfaces
Internal:
- Project Director & PMT
- Construction Manager
- Engineering & Procurement teams
- Regional HSE Leadership
External:
- Client HSE representatives
- Regulators (as required)
- Contractors and subcontractors
Qualifications:
Experience in major construction / energy projects
Strong knowledge of:
- UK legislation (HSWA, CDM)
- ISO 45001 / ISO 14001
Proven experience:
- Leading site HSE delivery
- Managing contractor interfaces
- Implementing HSE systems from mobilisation through execution
- Heavy industrial / high-hazard project experience
Desirable:
- Chartered or working toward IOSH membership
- Experience within a similar EPC environment
- Permit to Work systems and control of work
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Contractor assurance and control expertise
- Deep understanding of control of work / Permit systems
- Incident investigation and root cause analysis
- Ability to translate strategy into site execution
- Strong communication across all organisational levels