The Organisation
The Cleeve Partnership has been retained by the Port of Dover to conduct the search for this key role within the organisation. The Port of Dover is not just a port. It is the UK's primary trade gateway, processing around one-third of all UK-EU trade, handling up to 10,000 lorries a day, and facilitating over £144 billion in trade annually. Designated as Critical National Infrastructure, it is the highest-volume ferry port in Europe and one of the most complex operational environments in the country.
A Trust Port with 400 years of heritage and no private shareholders, Dover exists for one purpose: to serve the public interest. Today, that means operating at extraordinary intensity: 130 daily ferry crossings, an award-winning cruise port, cutting-edge cargo facilities, and a 24/7 operation that turns over its full capacity five to six times every single day.
And it's moving faster than ever. A £350 million capital investment programme is already underway, with a further £700 million planned. The Port is at the forefront of decarbonisation, sustainability, and smart travel, backed by collaborative partnerships at local, national, and international levels. This is an organisation that takes its responsibilities seriously: to its people, its communities, and the country it connects to the world.
The Role
This is a genuinely significant leadership appointment. And a rare one. As Head of Health, Safety, you will join at a moment of real ambition and investment, reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer as a member of the senior leadership team. Your primary brief is cultural transformation: building a Health and Safety function that is visible, respected, and genuinely influential, and one that the wider organisation turns to not because it has to, but because it wants to.
You will lead the development and delivery of the Port's Health and Safety vision and strategy, driving continuous improvement through data, KPIs, and trend analysis. You will ensure ISO 45001 compliance whilst building it into a living framework for innovation rather than a tick-box exercise. You will champion decarbonisation and environmental sustainability as core to how the Port operates. And you will embed a behavioural safety culture — felt and owned by every person on site, from the Board to the front line.
This is a role of real consequence, in an organisation that has a real desire to change and with a leadership team that has the appetite to support it.
What You'll Be Doing
* Defining and championing the Port's Health and Safety vision and strategy — bringing ambition, clarity, and consistency to a function that touches every part of the operation
* Leading and developing a high-performing Health and Safety team: building capability, instilling accountability, and earning the confidence of the wider business
* Advising the Executive and Board on regulatory change and legislative risk, shaping strategic responses that protect people and operations
* Driving a behavioural safety culture that goes well beyond compliance — one where people take genuine ownership
* Overseeing risk assessments, workplace audits, and occupational health initiatives, ensuring control measures are robust and embedded in everyday practice
* Enabling learning through transparent investigations and the consistent communication of lessons — not filed and forgotten
* Designing training programmes that give every employee the tools and confidence to keep themselves and their colleagues safe
* Representing the Port externally with regulators, at industry forums, and with wider stakeholders
* Owning the Health and Safety budget, deploying resources effectively to support innovation and improvement
What We're Looking For
* Degree-level education in Environmental Science, Occupational Health, Safety Management, or a related field
* NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent professional Health and Safety qualification
* A proven track record of leading Health, Safety & Environment as a Head of Function in a complex, high-intensity operational environment
* Demonstrable success in shaping and embedding behavioural safety cultures that move well beyond regulatory compliance
* Experience in occupational health and the implementation of health-focused workplace programmes
* Confident working with KPIs, data, and performance analytics — using numbers to drive decisions and tell a compelling story
* Strong skills in Health and Safety auditing, risk assessment, and policy development
* A natural communicator who earns trust at every level — credible and authoritative with the Board, equally engaged and approachable on the front line
* Able to develop and implement sustainability and environmental frameworks alongside safety strategy
* Full driving licence; flexibility to travel as required
Package
Up to £95,000 · 15% performance bonus · Private healthcare · Pension up to 10% matched · Relocation assistance up to £8,000
Apply
This search is managed exclusively by The Cleeve Partnership on a fully confidential basis. All approaches will be handled with discretion. Contact Alastair Christie: | +44 (0)7584 022600