Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Role: Head of Health & Safety
Location: Glasgow (Flexibility on working location and working arrangements considered)
Timings: Late February to Late August
(Open to secondment opportunities for this role as well as phased start dates.
Grafton Recruitment are delighted to be working with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games organisers to appoint the Head of Health and Safety for the event.
Glasgow will welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations, across 11 days of world-class sport. This opportunity offers you the chance to be part of something historic, shaping future sporting events and a legacy to Glasgow and the Commonwealth.
Responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing all aspects of H&S, from event delivery and planning responsibilities through to alignment and application across the business on corporate responsibilities.
- Shaping and driving a proactive safety culture, embedded delivery suppliers, contractors and venue operators; ensuring that athletes, workers, volunteers, spectators and the public operate in environments that protect health, safety and wellbeing.
- You will lead a team of health and safety advisors, alongside specialists and H&S managers embedded by delivery suppliers.
- Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead the development, implementation and assurance of health and safety frameworks, - from venue preparations and workforce operations to public engagement initiatives and supplier contractor integration.
- Be the health & safety interface with statutory and regulatory authorities, emergency services, venue operators and key delivery partners.
- Own and lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the Health & Safety Management System and Strategy.
- Lead assurance activities such as audits, inspections, reviews and corrective action follow-up, and drive continuous improvement.
- Maintain and continuously improve systems for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on Health and Safety performance, including accident/incident investigation.
- Ensure the delivery of health & safety training, competency frameworks and awareness campaigns.
Experience
- The successful candidate will bring significant experience in senior health and safety leadership within complex, high-risk and fast-paced event environments, operating at executive and board level.
- Experience of working on major sporting events, or complex multi venue live operational environments.
- Expertise in developing and implementing effective health and safety management systems, governance structures, and assurance frameworks.
- Be confident advising senior leaders on statutory duties, risk management and mitigation.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, along with the ability to influence across public and private sector organisations, statutory bodies and emergency services.
- NEBOSH Diploma, CMIOSH or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
- Well-organised, passionate, and driven, and eager to roll up your sleeves and be part of an inclusive, forward-thinking, and sustainable Games.
If you would like to find out more about this role, please reach out to at Adrian.harrison@grafton.com