Head of HSQE (Rail)

Role Purpose

The Head of HSQE will set the strategic direction for, and take overall responsibility for, health, safety, quality and environmental performance across the business. You will lead the HSQE function, embed a strong safety culture from board level to the workface, and ensure we meet the demanding standards of TfL, London Underground, Network Rail and our wider client base. You will be a visible, credible leader on site and a trusted advisor to the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership

You will develop and deliver the HSQE strategy, aligned to business objectives and client requirements, and act as the company's senior HSQE representative, advising the board and attending leadership meetings. You will lead, mentor and develop a team of HSQE managers, advisors and inspectors, and promote a positive, proactive safety culture, including leadership engagement, behavioural safety and a just culture approach to reporting.

Health and Safety

You will ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, CDM 2015 and all relevant regulations, and oversee safety management for high-risk activities such as working on or near the railway, confined spaces, working at height, electrical safety, lifting operations and night and possession working. You will ensure compliance with Network Rail and TfL/LU standards, rules and safety management requirements, and review RAMS, safe systems of work and permit-to-work arrangements for quality and suitability. You will lead incident and accident investigations, ensure RIDDOR reporting, and drive effective root cause analysis and corrective actions. You will also manage occupational health, wellbeing and fatigue management arrangements.

Quality

You will own the quality management system, ensuring consistent delivery to client specifications and industry standards. This includes oversight of inspection and test plans, non-conformance management, audits, and handover and commissioning documentation, as well as driving continuous improvement and lessons learned across projects.

Environment and Sustainability

You will ensure compliance with environmental legislation and client environmental requirements, and oversee waste, noise, vibration, dust, pollution prevention and ecology controls on site. You will also support the company's carbon reduction and sustainability commitments.

Governance, Assurance and Accreditation

You will maintain and develop the integrated management system, with certification to ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001, and maintain supplier prequalification and accreditations such as RISQS, Achilles and CHAS/SafeContractor as applicable. You will plan and deliver a programme of internal audits, site inspections and assurance reviews, and monitor closure of actions. You will lead on tender HSQE submissions, client audits and interface with regulators (HSE, ORR) where required, and produce HSQE performance reports and KPIs for the board and clients, using data to drive improvement.

Supply Chain and Training

You will assess and monitor the HSQE competence and performance of subcontractors and suppliers, and oversee competence management, training matrices and inductions, including railway sentinel and track safety requirements.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

We are looking for someone with significant senior-level HSQE experience in rail, underground, tunnelling or similar safety-critical infrastructure environments, including proven experience working with Network Rail and/or TfL/London Underground standards and assurance processes. You will have a background in M&E, building services or engineering contracting.

You will hold a NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) in occupational health and safety, and Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or be working towards it. You will have strong working knowledge of CDM 2015, RIDDOR and UK health and safety legislation, and experience managing integrated management systems and ISO 45001/14001/9001 certification. You will be able to demonstrate experience leading and developing HSQE teams, and have excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to challenge constructively at all levels. A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across London and the wider network are also required.

Desirable

It would be an advantage to have a degree or equivalent in engineering, construction, safety or a related discipline, along with additional environmental or quality qualifications such as IEMA membership or Lead Auditor certification. Valid track safety certification (for example PTS or equivalent) is desirable, as is experience in tender and bid support for rail and infrastructure frameworks, and experience in tunnels and shafts, depots, signalling or traction power environments.

Key Competencies

You will be a strategic thinker with a practical, hands-on approach, resilient and calm under pressure, including in incident response. You will be collaborative and approachable, with strong stakeholder management skills, a data-driven mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Strong integrity and ethical leadership are essential.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid role based in London, with a mix of home working, office days and regular site visits. Out-of-hours attendance may occasionally be required for incidents, night works or possessions