Description
As Head of HSEQ for our Highways, Vegetation and Fencing division, you will take a strategic lead in promoting, implementing and sustaining a culture of excellence in HSEQ performance. With responsibility for multiple national contracts, you will ensure the effective application of national standards and regulatory frameworks, including NHSS and ISO certifications.
You will be instrumental in delivering our HSEQ business plan and embedding continuous improvement across all operations. Working closely with operational leaders, you will champion proactive risk management, compliance assurance, and innovation in health, safety, environmental and quality management.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the development and implementation of contract-specific HSEQ strategies aligned to the Group’s governance framework.
* Oversee compliance with statutory, client and industry-specific standards including:
* NHSS 12a/b/c/d, NHSS18
* ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), ISO 44001 (Collaborative Business Relationships
* National Highways Quality standards
* Provide strategic oversight and assurance to ensure all HSEQ risks are identified, assessed, and managed consistently across all contracts.
* Lead a team of HSEQ Contract Managers and Advisors, ensuring clear responsibilities, capability development and high performance.
* Act as lead investigator for major HSEQ incidents, ensuring thorough root cause analysis and effective corrective action.
* Deliver meaningful management information reports, analysing trends and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
* Liaise with client stakeholders to ensure expectations are met and exceeded through transparent reporting, collaboration and delivery of best practice.
* Maintain and improve the assurance framework to monitor HSEQ risk controls across contracts.
* Influence and contribute to group-wide initiatives, sharing insights, lessons learned and innovations.
* Provide guidance and support on regulatory developments, ensuring the directorate remains future-ready and compliant.
* Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including enforcing authorities and industry bodies.
Experience and Qualifications
Essential:
* Substantial senior management experience in HSEQ, with a strong track record of leadership in a high-risk operational environment (ideally highways or traffic management).
* Proven experience in managing large teams across multiple locations/contracts.
* Relevant HSEQ qualifications (e.g., NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 4, or equivalent).
* Recognised quality management qualifications.
* Experienced in accident/incident investigation, root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
* Skilled in risk assessment, behavioural safety, and compliance auditing.
* Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
* Highly competent in report writing, data analysis and the use of IT tools including Excel and safety databases.
Desirable:
* Experience working within the utility or infrastructure sectors.
* Chartered membership of IOSH and/or IEMA.
* Knowledge or experience in vegetation management, fencing, or similar field-based services within highways infrastructure.
What We Offer
* A key leadership role in a forward-thinking, safety-led organisation
* Opportunities for continued professional development
* Competitive salary and benefits package
* Supportive, values-driven company culture
* Influence over the strategic direction of HSEQ performance across a vital national sector
If you are a proactive leader with a passion for safety and quality, and the capability to drive standards across a high-profile portfolio, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary and Benefits
We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package.
Network Plus is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
We are Armed Forces-friendly. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
We understand that privacy and the security of your personal information is extremely important. By applying for this role, you agree to the terms of our privacy policy.
Network Plus is an award-winning business delivering essential utility and infrastructure services for the UK’s major providers of gas, power, telecoms, transport, water, and wastewater.
We value the variety of experience, perspective, and other points of difference our workforce, clients, and supply chain offer.
We are actively working with colleagues across the Network Plus Group to develop an inclusive environment – we want all our employees to feel valued and included to enable everyone to thrive at work and understand the value of their contribution matters no matter their background, identity, or circumstances.