Head of Health and Safety

Sanderson Recruitment View all jobs

  • Ireland
  • €80,000-95,000 per year
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 9 days ago
Supply Chain & Procurement | Ireland | Contract | € 80000 - € 95000Head of Health & Safety / Senior Health & Safety LeadContract Type: Fixed-term (2 years) with potential for permanencyRole OverviewAn experienced, strategic, and dynamic Health & Safety leader is sought to lead the continued development and implementation of best-in-class safety culture practices across a large, complex, and fast-paced operational environment, including a multi-stakeholder safety initiative.This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a forward-thinking professional who can inspire and guide a Health & Safety function while engaging a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping a culture of behavioural safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continuous improvement at every level of the organisation.Key Responsibilities
  • Champion social psychology of risk programmes and culture-change initiatives that support long-term organisational safety maturity.
  • Provide expert health & safety advice, coaching, and training, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and capability building across teams.
  • Lead the development, implementation, and continual improvement of the Safety Management System (SMS), progressing towards ISO 45001 accreditation while balancing legislative compliance with cultural development.
  • Chair and drive a multi-stakeholder safety working group, fostering collaboration, alignment, and shared ownership of safety outcomes.
  • Promote the sharing of safety practices, lessons learned, and innovation across a diverse operational community.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, operational partners, regulators, and third-party stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable health & safety legislation, codes of practice, and recognised standards.
  • Prepare for and manage audits, oversee incident investigations, and ensure robust corrective and preventative actions.
  • Embed continuous improvement through data-driven insights, performance monitoring, and proactive risk management.
Qualifications and Experience
  • Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, Science, or a related discipline.
  • Chartered or professional membership of a recognised body (e.g. IOSH, NEBOSH, or equivalent).
  • Significant senior leadership experience in health & safety, ideally within industrial, logistics, transportation, infrastructure, or similarly complex environments.
  • Proven experience developing and embedding Safety Management Systems, ideally achieving or working towards ISO 45001 certification.
  • Demonstrated track record of leading safety culture transformation, including the application of social psychology of risk principles in large or complex organisations.
  • Full, clean driving licence (valid in Ireland).
Key Competencies
  • Leadership: Inspires and motivates teams; confident, credible decision-maker.
  • Communication & Influence: Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills; able to communicate complex safety concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term safety strategies aligned with organisational objectives.
  • Energy & Resilience: High levels of personal drive; thrives in dynamic, operational environments.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
  • Rewards: this role will offer a negotiable salary and there is an opportunity to become permanent.
To discuss in more detail please apply to NicolaApply for this Position: Please tick to accept ourYour Consultant:Nicola Reid

Sanderson Recruitment