Head of Workforce Health, Safety & Environment

Who We Are

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!

You will be part of the North West & Central Region (NW&C) which consist of three routes - North West, Central and West Coast South - and a regional team supporting Regional Major Programmes & Professional services. You can learn more about our region here: North West & Central region - Network Rail.

In the North West & Central Region, we're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

About the role

In this role you will set the Regional vision for workforce safety and lead the activities necessary to continuously improve workforce health, safety and environment performance. Lead the development and implementation of the Region's strategy for workforce safety, health and environment and deliver the regions health, safety and environment Level 2 assurance activities. You will also provide management assurance to the leadership team on the extent to which the Region is managing and reducing its health, safety and environment risks.

Package:£71,163 - £86,801. In addition to the base salary, you'll receive a Band 2 car allowance

Location: The successful candidate can be based in Manchester, Birmingham, Milton Keynes or London (Eversholt Street).

This is an exciting 12- month fixed term opportunity.

As this is a role in a regional team, travel across NW&C is required. Candidates should be comfortable with frequent travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.

What's in it for you

Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:

• 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
• The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

To find out more about what we offer, click here

Your experience and skills

What you'll be doing

Lead and shape a world-class workforce health, safety and environment strategy across the Region, driving a positive safety culture and continuous improvement in performance and compliance. You will lead the assurance team, implement effective controls, policies and processes, set and monitor key performance measures, and oversee the Health, Safety and Environmental elements of the Region's L2 Assurance Plan.

As the Region's technical lead, you will work collaboratively with Routes, Capital Delivery, the Technical Authority and external stakeholders, including regulators and government bodies. You will oversee the delivery of regional safety strategies and improvement programmes, contribute to Network Rail's Health & Safety Management System, develop safety capability across the Region, and influence the cultural and behavioural change required to achieve the Region's workforce health, safety and environmental ambitions.

What you'll have

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as Occupational Safety and Health or Construction Management, together with a NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety.
• Experience of working at a strategic level within safety, health or environment in an infrastructure organisation
• Experience of successfully leading a team in a complex dynamic environment
• Experience of developing strategic improvements in a safety critical environment
• Exceptional influencing and communication skills
• Significant experience in a health and safety role the rail or construction industry, or similar safety critical environment

We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be

• Chartered membership of relevant institution such as IOSH
• Qualification in the alternative disciplines to the main qualification i.e. if main qualification is in environment then additional qualification in safety and health.
• Understanding of the performance regime and financial systems

To submit your application, click apply now.

You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

What does our recruitment process look like?

• Once you have applied, our Recruitment Specialist will look at your CV.
• If your experience matches what we're looking for, you'll be invited to an interview.