SHESQ Manager
Posted
Description
The SHESQ Manager will provide strategic SHESQ leadership across OCU's Electricity Distribution (DNO) frameworks, supporting the safe delivery of electricity distribution network works.
Reporting to the Regional SHESQ Manager for day-to-day line management, the role will partner with framework operational leadership teams and key stakeholders to identify and manage SHESQ risks, drive proactive performance and establish effective, proportionate assurance arrangements.
Working alongside business area leadership, the SHESQ Manager will develop and implement strategies that promote health and safety, environmental management, quality and sustainability. This will include people competence and training, assurance, supply chain strategies and compliance.
Operating at a strategic and influential level, the role will provide SHESQ technical guidance and support to BU leadership and management, including complex matters, while shaping direction, driving consistency and improving performance across frameworks, projects and depots.
The role will also coordinate delivery of the assurance plan through the SHESQ advisory team and wider support functions, covering planned day-to-day assurance, reactive and corrective strategies, proactive campaigns and support across other business areas where required. Responsibilities include implementing SHESQ strategies, monitoring performance, developing improvement plans and maintaining strong relationships with clients, leadership teams and relevant authorities.
Decision-Making Authority
The SHESQ Manager has the authority to stop or halt operations presenting a risk of significant health, safety or environmental breaches, and impose appropriate sanctions or improvement actions where necessary.
Team Leadership & Organisation
- Build, develop and maintain a capable SHESQ team to deliver effective support across the assigned Business Units (BUs).
- Lead and manage the framework SHESQ Advisor team, including remuneration, performance management, objective setting, personal development, coaching and mentoring.
- Ensure SHESQ support is provided in the development of risk assessments, method statements and SHESQ plans, including CDM Construction Phase Plans.
Strategic Planning & Risk Management
- Partner with operational leadership to identify, manage and reduce business area risks, aligned to the scope and context of BU activities, using the AuditBoard platform.
- Develop and implement BU SHESQ strategies covering assurance and audit programmes, routine inspections, compliance, proactive engagement, coaching, mentoring and safety culture.
- Lead dynamic risk management responses to emerging risks, incidents, contract changes and business growth.
- Support the development of SHESQ-aligned tendering strategies and provide dashboard reporting on strategic performance.
- Translate Group and Principal BU KPIs into relevant leading and lagging BU performance measures.
- Work with BUs to establish appropriate technical competency, training and statutory requirements.
- Develop BU-specific procedures aligned with Group and Principal BU standards, ensuring effective and practical controls are embedded.
Strategic Support & Operational Delivery
- Provide strategic SHESQ leadership, technical guidance and support to BU leadership, ensuring tactical delivery is effectively managed through the SHESQ advisory team.
- Act as the day-to-day contact for general environmental compliance, working closely with Environment & Sustainability specialists on specific environmental and sustainability matters.
- Lead sector engagement, relevant industry interfaces and SHESQ horizon scanning.
- Manage DNO client SHESQ relationships and interfaces, including client SHE forums, performance reviews, audits and contractual compliance.
- Lead the development and delivery of reactive and continuous SHESQ improvement plans.
- Drive SHESQ change management and consistency across BUs, supporting wider business change programmes while maintaining standards.
- Coordinate SHESQ tender evaluations and due diligence for subcontractors and suppliers, including assessment of tender scope, quality and compliance, using SHESQ Advisors where appropriate.
- Maintain a visible and active presence with operational leadership and management teams.
- Support BU bid teams with SHESQ tender responses and strategic opportunities.
- Ensure appropriate SHESQ input into the setup and mobilisation of new contracts, depots and acquisitions.
Performance Monitoring & Assurance
- Monitor, analyse and interpret SHESQ performance data, compliance information and leading and lagging indicators to identify trends, concerns and opportunities for improvement.
- Support the development and implementation of improvement actions, initiatives and proactive SHESQ strategies, working with the Improvements Lead to share best practice across the business.
- Lead and undertake effective SHESQ compliance monitoring, audits and operational engagements.
- Track and ensure the timely completion of corrective actions.
Incident Leadership & Investigation
- Oversee and lead major incident management and investigations, including LTIs, High Potential and Potential to be Worse events, and all regulatory reportable incidents.
- Ensure investigations follow a robust process, with effective root cause analysis, quality outputs and appropriate recommendations.
- Ensure all accident and incident investigations are closed out effectively and corrective actions are fully implemented.
- Take ultimate responsibility for BU/Sector OCU One management and conformance.
- Work closely with leadership and management teams to ensure accidents and incidents are notified and escalated appropriately, including client notifications within contractual timescales.
Continuous Improvement & SHESQ Governance
- Work alongside leadership and management teams to drive and maintain positive SHESQ performance standards.
- Lead BU lessons learned, incorporating learning from industry events and other Business Units.
- Ensure subcontractor evaluations are completed at onboarding and through periodic reviews, in line with company policy.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement, working with the Continuous Improvement Lead to establish an effective SHESQ management cadence and regular reviews of business risks and controls.
- Support the development and implementation of improvement activities through ongoing review of SHESQ risks and risk management.
- Support the development and implementation of effective SHESQ Management Systems aligned with OCU policies and SHESQ legislation across the wider business.
- NEBOSH Diploma / Construction Certificate or equivalent and preferably Chartered Member of IOSH (or actively working towards) as minimum.
- Commensurate / complementary level qualification in Environmental and/or Quality discipline(s)
- IT Skills – capable use of Microsoft Office software suit (word, excel etc.) and ability to interact with company systems.
- Lead Auditor (45001 and/or 14001) (desirable)
- Full UK Driving License and willingness to travel.
- ILM L5 (or equivalent & working towards)
Personal Attributes & Competency
- Excellent leadership skills, able to influence motivate, direct and manage both internally and externally.
- Strong communication skills both written and oral
- Professional approach, self-organized, results driven and motivated to influence stake holders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to develop and implement effective SHESQ risk control strategies as well as the required management process and systems.
- Has a real passion to drive SHESQ risk control strategies and deliver results.
- Experience in SHESQ leadership and strategic development in relevant sectors
- Excellent collaborative skills, able to bring groups together to deliver initiatives to deadlines.
- The ability to coach and mentor leaders, managers and others to achieve personal and team goals.
- Has a “can do” attitude, is methodical in their approach and can demonstrate results.
Business Knowledge
- SHESQ leadership knowledge and application of SHESQ strategic development principles and best practice within a Utility Services / Energy / Construction operational arena.
- Ability to support multiple high-risk projects and site activities.
- Working knowledge of the electricity distribution sector, including working on or near HV/LV networks, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, ESQCR and DNO distribution safety rules.
- Understanding of streetworks and excavation risk management, including NRSWA, HSG47 safe digging practices and Chapter 8 traffic management.
- Experience of supporting DNO or utility client frameworks.
- People management skills, experience and ability in providing a SHESQ support service