Senior HSE Adviser

Role Title: Health, Safety & Environmental Senior Adviser (HSE Senior Adviser)

Introduction:

As the UK transitions towards a low‑carbon energy system under the Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, resilient and flexible electricity infrastructure is critical. United Infrastructure supports this transition by delivering fully integrated power infrastructure solutions across transmission and distribution networks. As an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), we deliver end-to-end design, construction, and maintenance of electrical networks up to 400kV.

What are we looking for?

As part of our services, the Power Transmission & Distribution (UIPT&D) team are seeking a full-time, site-based Senior HSE Adviser to support the delivery of power transmission and distribution construction projects by providing expert health, safety and environmental leadership, assurance, and guidance to project teams. The role is responsible for supporting operational excellence through effective risk management, compliance assurance, continuous improvement initiatives, and the promotion of a positive Zero Harm culture, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, client standards, company procedures, and industry best practice.

The project, based in Alness, Scotland, involves the construction and installation of energy transmission infrastructure covering approximately 80km of the Scottish Highlands between Loch Buidhe and Beauly.

About the role

Reporting to the HSE Lead, the Senior HSE Adviser is responsible for providing leadership, professional advice, assurance, and support to project management and construction teams to ensure all works are delivered safely, legally, and with minimal environmental impact.

The role provides senior-level oversight of project HSE performance, supporting the implementation of company and client requirements across multiple work fronts, contractors, and disciplines including overhead lines, substations, underground cable systems, access tracks, and associated infrastructure.

The Senior HSE Adviser will work closely with project managers, construction managers, supervisory teams, client representatives, and subcontractors to drive a proactive safety culture, influence positive behaviours, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure the effective management of health, safety, and environmental risks. The role will also support the development of HSE Advisers and operational personnel through coaching, mentoring, and leadership.

Other responsibilities of the role include:

Health & Safety Management

• Lead the promotion of a proactive health and safety culture across all project activities.
• Provide competent advice and guidance to project leadership teams on health and safety matters.
• Conduct and lead site inspections, audits, leadership tours, and behavioural safety observations.
• Monitor compliance with company procedures, client requirements, and statutory regulations.
• Review and provide guidance on Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for high-risk activities.
• Support project teams in identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing effective controls.
• Monitor permit-to-work systems and critical risk activities.
• Lead the communication and implementation of lessons learned, safety alerts, and best practice initiatives.
• Support the development, implementation, and review of project-specific HSE plans and procedures.
• Provide assurance regarding emergency preparedness and response arrangements.
• Support project leadership in achieving continuous improvement in HSE performance.

Environmental Management

• Provide leadership and oversight relating to environmental performance across project activities.
• Monitor compliance with environmental management plans, licences, permits, consents, and project commitments.
• Lead environmental inspections, audits, and compliance assessments.
• Support the protection of sensitive environmental receptors including watercourses, habitats, peatland areas, and protected species.
• Verify implementation and effectiveness of pollution prevention controls.
• Monitor waste management activities and compliance with environmental legislation.
• Support peat management, restoration, habitat reinstatement, biodiversity, and ecological protection measures.
• Lead or support investigations relating to environmental incidents and non-conformances.
• Promote environmental awareness, sustainability initiatives, carbon reduction, and best practice across project teams.

Site Assurance and Monitoring

• Develop and deliver risk-based assurance programmes across project activities.
• Undertake and coordinate routine and targeted site inspections.
• Identify unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, environmental non-conformances, and management system deficiencies.
• Raise observations, improvement opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Monitor and verify the timely close-out of corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide assurance regarding compliance with lifting operations, excavations, temporary works, work at height, electrical safety, traffic management, and contractor controls.
• Support internal, client, and external certification audits.
• Analyse inspection and audit trends and recommend improvement actions.

Incident Investigation

• Lead and support investigations relating to accidents, dangerous occurrences, near misses, environmental incidents, and property damage events.
• Gather and evaluate evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare formal investigation reports.
• Determine immediate, underlying, and root causes using recognised investigation methodologies.
• Develop corrective and preventive actions with operational teams.
• Monitor and verify implementation of actions arising from investigations.
• Facilitate the communication of lessons learned across projects and business units.
• Support reporting requirements to clients and regulatory authorities where required.

Workforce Engagement

• Deliver toolbox talks, leadership briefings, stand-down sessions, and environmental awareness programmes.
• Participate in project reviews, planning meetings, and leadership forums.
• Build strong working relationships with employees, subcontractors, client representatives, and regulators.
• Mentor and coach HSE Advisers, supervisors, and managers to strengthen HSE capability and leadership.
• Encourage proactive reporting of hazards, observations, and near misses.
• Support workforce wellbeing, occupational health, fatigue management, and mental health initiatives.
• Promote positive engagement and behavioural safety programmes.

Compliance and Management Systems

• Support implementation and continual improvement of the Integrated Management System.
• Provide guidance on compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation.
• Support compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, client standards, and contractual obligations.
• Participate in management reviews and assurance activities.
• Support the development and review of project procedures, standards, and guidance documentation.
• Monitor emerging legislation and industry best practice to support compliance and continual improvement.

Reporting and Administration

• Produce detailed inspection, audit, assurance, and performance reports.
• Analyse and interpret HSE performance data and trends.
• Maintain action trackers, incident databases, and assurance records.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly HSE performance reports.
• Support the preparation and delivery of client reports, presentations, and governance submissions.
• Develop recommendations for performance improvement based on leading and lagging indicators.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.

Safety Leadership Responsibilities

• Demonstrate visible and effective safety leadership at all times.
• Provide professional challenge where standards are not met or risks are not adequately controlled.
• Stop work where conditions present immediate danger to people, property, or the environment.
• Influence senior project stakeholders to drive continual improvement in HSE performance.
• Lead by example and promote company values and behavioural expectations.
• Foster a culture of openness, accountability, trust, and learning.
• Maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and integrity when providing advice and assurance.
• Act as a role model and mentor for HSE team members and operational personnel.

Skills & Competencies

Essential

• NEBOSH General Certificate or NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or equivalent).
• Significant experience within construction, infrastructure, utilities, or power transmission and distribution projects.
• Demonstrable experience working in a senior HSE advisory role on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and associated UK HSE legislation.
• Experience conducting and leading inspections, audits, investigations, and assurance activities.
• Experience influencing operational and project leadership teams.
• Strong report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyse HSE performance data and identify trends.

Desirable

• Diploma-level Health and Safety qualification (NEBOSH Diploma, NCRQ, NVQ Level 5/6 or equivalent).
• IEMA Environmental Certificate or equivalent environmental qualification.
• Chartered or Graduate Membership of IOSH (GradIOSH/CMIOSH).
• Incident Investigation Training.
• Temporary Works Awareness.
• Environmental auditing experience.
• Internal Auditor qualifications for ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001.
• Experience working on National Grid, SSEN, SPEN, Scottish Power, or similar utility projects.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior HSE professionals.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Proactive, resilient, and solution focused.
• Able to challenge constructively at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates credibility and confidence when advising project leadership teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Works effectively independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Committed to continual improvement and professional development.
• Ability to mentor and support the development of others.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Outline of benefits:

· Competitive Annual Salary with regular reviews in line with the industry sector based upon knowledge, skills, and experience.

· Car/Car Allowance based on your location, the option of a company Car or Car Allowance may be included.

· Holidays 34 days annual leave. (including 8 x public holidays)

· Death in Service.

· Contributory Pension Scheme

· Access to United Infrastructure optional benefits package private medical cover, gym discounts, cycle to work, holiday purchase, leisure, and shopping discounts; all of these and more that can be adapted to suit your own lifestyle.

· Remote Workers Provision of worker accommodation (Where vacancy allows) or support in finding accommodation, Accommodation allowance, Meals/Food allowance, living away from home allowance. (Distance based)

· Commitment to continued professional development: development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests.

· National connections: join experts around the UK who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession.

· Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business.

If all of this sounds good to you, then forward a copy of your CV to apply and start your career journey with United Infrastructure Power Transmission & Distribution.

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.