This is a senior leadership role with significant influence across a large, technical, and fast-growing operational environment. The SHEQ Director will provide strategic direction and embed a robust and proactive Safety, Health, Environment & Quality culture across all sites, contracts, and engineering operations.
Client Details
Our client operates one of the UK’s largest portfolios of city-scale heating and cooling networks, delivering low-carbon energy to residential, commercial, and public buildings across major urban centres. Its networks play a central role in supporting national ambitions for decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and long-term energy security.
Supported by private-equity investors, the organisation is combining deep sector expertise with substantial investment in next-generation technologies; including waste-heat recovery, large-scale heat pumps, and other low-carbon solutions. It is actively expanding and modernising its networks to meet the needs of diverse communities and accelerate the UK’s transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.


As the business continues to grow, it is strengthening its leadership team with the appointment of a SHEQ Director to drive safety, compliance, culture, and responsible business performance across a complex engineering-led environment.
Description
SHEQ Director - Key Responsibilities


Strategic Leadership & Culture
*Provide leadership, oversight, and direction across all SHEQ and Compliance functions.
*Drive a strong, proactive safety culture aligned with organisational and Responsible Business objectives.
*Establish and deliver SHEQ Action Plans that elevate safety standards, engagement, and best practice.
SHEQ Governance & Compliance
*Ensure statutory and internal obligations are met, with robust systems for audits, compliance, and reporting.
*Manage accurate reporting of all SHEQ data including Near Misses, Accidents, RIDDORs, HiPos, LTI’s, environmental metrics, and social initiatives.
*Oversee the development and delivery of training, ensuring all colleagues hold the required competencies and qualifications.
Risk, Investigation & Assurance
*Lead major incident investigations, delivering comprehensive reports and recommendations to senior leadership.
*Conduct close-out reviews and present findings at Accident & Incident Review Boards.
*Monitor the SHEQ Risk & Opportunity Register, identifying and mitigating emerging risks.
Operational Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
*Work in partnership with operational leaders to embed safe systems of work and engineering best practice.
*Build strong relationships with external regulators including HSE, EHO, and relevant industry forums.
*Support key commercial activities, including bid responses, tender interviews, and competitive dialogue, showcasing SHEQ excellence.
Team Leadership & Development
*Lead and develop the SHEQ & Compliance team, ensuring the function is fully resourced and high-performing.
*Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional support to drive capability, consistency, and continuous improvement.


Profile
A successful SHEQ Director should have:


*NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent).
*Environmental Management qualification (IEMA or similar).
*Bachelor’s degree or HND in a technical discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
*Broad experience within engineering, utilities, energy, district energy, or complex operational environments.
*Strong understanding of SHEQ legislation, compliance frameworks, statutory requirements, and risk management.
*Experience in developing and implementing SHEQ policies and strategies.
*Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cultural change.
*High levels of integrity, strategic thinking, and leadership capability.
*Proven ability to lead and manage teams effectively.
*Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Job Offer
A senior, influential leadership role in a rapidly growing, PE-backed organisation.
The ability to shape SHEQ strategy across critical national energy infrastructure.
Significant investment backing, enabling innovation and continuous improvement.
A collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team committed to sustainability, safety, and long-term impact.