Head of HSEQ

Executive‑level HSEQ leadership role requiring deep operational experience and strategic governance capability

Your new company

This organisation delivers complex engineering and construction services across multiple locations in Australia. Continued growth, diversification and increasing operational complexity have created the need for dedicated, executive level HSEQ leadership to support sustainable expansion and strong governance.

Your new role

As Head of HSEQ, you will lead Health, Safety, Environment and Quality at an enterprise level. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will partner with senior leaders to establish governance, manage risk and uplift HSEQ maturity across the organisation.
This is a C‑suite, strategic leadership role, not a hands‑on WHS position. You will focus on direction, oversight and assurance while guiding and enabling existing HSEQ resources.
You will:
  • Develop and embed an enterprise wide HSEQ strategy aligned to business growth
  • Establish clear governance frameworks across WHS, environmental and quality functions
  • Provide strategic HSEQ advice and assurance to senior leadership
  • Ensure compliance with WHS legislative obligations while maintaining a practical, commercial approach
  • Oversee and support existing HSEQ resources and external providers
  • Evolve the role as the organisation continues to grow and diversify
The role is Canberra based with occasional interstate travel required.

What you'll need to succeed

This role requires senior, strategic HSEQ leadership experience and is not suited to WHS Advisors, Coordinators or Managers seeking their next step.

You will need:
  • Demonstrated experience leading HSEQ at enterprise, group or executive level, or 10+ years’ experience in senior HSEQ leadership roles
  • Tertiary qualifications in WHS, HSEQ or similar discipline
  • Background in complex operational environments such as manufacturing, infrastructure, heavy industry, energy, mining or similar sectors
  • A strong understanding of governance, risk management and assurance, not just day-to-day compliance
  • Experience advising senior leadership and influencing decision making
  • Experience in audits, incident investigation and risk management
  • The capability to design systems that scale with business growth and increasing regulatory scrutiny
  • A commercial mindset with the confidence to challenge constructively and provide pragmatic advice
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 management systems, ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 certified systems, and Australian WHS and environmental legislation
  • Current Class C Driver's Licence
  • Permanent working rights in Australia or Australian citizenship

What you'll get in return

You will join a values driven organisation where HSEQ is genuinely prioritised during a significant period of growth. This role offers close partnership with the Managing Director and Executive Leadership Team, with real influence over strategy, governance and outcomes.
  • Permanent, full time executive role
  • Competitive renumeration package, including company vehicle
  • Supportive environment

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or email simone.ellacott@hays.com.au



LHS 297508

Summary

Job Type
Permanent
Industry
Construction
Location
ACT - Canberra
Specialism
HR
Pay
Salary + super and company car
Ref:
2991714

Talk to a consultant

Talk to Simone Ellacott, the specialist consultant managing this position, located in Canberra
Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street

Telephone: 0261127615

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