HSE Lead - Tier 1 Main Contractor

Location: Southampton / Hampshire / South Coast

Salary: Competitive Salary + Car Allowance + Benefits

Employment Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

3D Personnel are recruiting on behalf of a leading Tier 1 main contractor seeking an experienced HSE Lead to support the delivery of major construction projects across the South Coast.

Our client is an established construction business delivering complex, high-value schemes across the defence, education, healthcare, commercial and public sectors.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Health, Safety and Environmental professional to take a leading role in driving HSE performance, promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring the highest standards of compliance across major construction projects.

Working closely with senior management, operational teams and specialist subcontractors, the successful candidate will provide strategic and practical HSE leadership, ensuring that health, safety, wellbeing and environmental considerations are embedded throughout the construction lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of HSE policies, procedures and management systems across major construction projects.

• Provide expert HSE advice and guidance to Project Directors, Project Managers, Site Managers and operational teams, ensuring compliance with legislation, company standards and client requirements.

• Promote a proactive and positive health and safety culture through workforce engagement, behavioural safety initiatives, coaching and leadership.

• Undertake regular site inspections, compliance audits and HSE performance reviews, identifying risks and implementing appropriate corrective actions.

• Oversee the development and review of risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), construction phase plans and safe systems of work.

• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying root causes, implementing corrective measures and communicating lessons learned.

• Monitor and manage subcontractor HSE performance, ensuring supply chain partners maintain the required standards throughout project delivery.

• Support environmental management and sustainability objectives, including waste management, pollution prevention and compliance with relevant environmental legislation.

• Prepare and present HSE performance reports, identifying trends, key risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Work collaboratively with clients, regulatory bodies and internal stakeholders to maintain excellent HSE standards across all projects.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience operating as an HSE Lead, Senior HSE Manager, SHE Manager or equivalent within a Tier 1 or established UK main contractor.

• Demonstrable experience overseeing health, safety and environmental performance on large-scale construction projects.

• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation, CDM Regulations 2015 and principal contractor responsibilities.

• NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health and Safety or an equivalent recognised qualification preferred.

• Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or working towards chartered status would be advantageous.

• Experience implementing and maintaining ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.

• Strong understanding of construction methodologies, high-risk activities, temporary works, lifting operations and subcontractor management.

• Previous experience within defence, education, healthcare, commercial or other complex public-sector construction environments would be beneficial.

• Experience delivering behavioural safety programmes, HSE audits, incident investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence individuals at all levels of an organisation.

What's on Offer?

• Senior HSE appointment within an established Tier 1 main contractor.

• Opportunity to influence health, safety and environmental performance across significant construction projects.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Collaborative working environment with experienced construction and regional management teams.

• Long-term career development and progression opportunities within a leading construction business.

• Opportunity to contribute to a business committed to safety, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Apply

If you are an experienced HSE professional with a strong background in major construction projects and a passion for driving exceptional health and safety standards, we would welcome a confidential conversation.

Please contact 3D Personnel or submit your latest CV for consideration.

All applications and enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.