Company: Principal/Head Contractor
Project: $mulit-billion renewables project
Location: NSW (regional, can relocate or DIDO/FIFO Monday-Friday)
- Opportunity to work for a Tier 1 contractor on a major infrastructure project
- Executive HSE Leadership role
- 3+ years work left
Very open to candidates that have worked in the tunnelling/mining/underground construction sector (due to experience with high risk works) that are looking to transfer to a new industry.
Key Responsibilities of the Head of HSE:
- Provide strategic leadership and governance of HSE across all project activities, ensuring full compliance with Australian legislation, contractual obligations, and ISO-certified management systems
- Act as the senior accountable HSE rep, leading regulatory engagement, audits, assurance programs, and external certification outcomes
- Lead and develop the project HSE leadership team, setting clear performance expectations, KPIs, and accountability frameworks
- Provide executive oversight of high-risk construction activities, including heavy lifting, confined space, high voltage, construction works, logistics, and commissioning
- Lead serious incident and crisis management, including investigations, root cause analysis, regulatory interactions, and corrective action closure
- Drive continuous improvement through analysis of trends, audit outcomes, and performance metrics
- Represent the organisation with the client, JV partners, regulator, and unions, ensuring alignment of standards and expectations
- Provide strategic leadership on environmental compliance, sustainability, and ESG commitments
- Oversee workers’ compensation, injury management, and wellbeing frameworks in partnership with HR and project leadership
- Degree qualified in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related discipline
- Extensive senior HSE leadership experience on major construction, energy, or infrastructure projects - high risk like tunnelling or underground construction is highly regarded.
- Expert knowledge of Australian WHS and environmental legislation, ISO 45001 / 14001 / 9001, and contractor governance
- Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and influence at executive, client, and regulatory level
- Demonstrated success in developing HSE strategy, governance frameworks, and performance reporting in complex project environments
- Exceptional communication skills, including executive and client-facing reporting
