Environmental Health Safety Business Lead

About the job An industry-leading engineering and construction organisation is seeking an experienced Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Business Unit Lead to oversee world-class EHS performance across a diverse portfolio of complex projects. This organisation delivers major construction and engineering solutions across multiple high-tech sectors, supporting global clients with cutting-edge facilities and infrastructure. The successful candidate will join a high-performing team that champions innovation, professional development, and a strong culture of safety. This is a senior position requiring significant influence, leadership, and technical capability, with extensive travel across multiple geographies. Role Overview The EHS Business Unit Lead is responsible for driving excellence in environmental protection, health, and safety across their Business Unit. Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, this role leads a multidisciplinary team of EHS professionals—including EHS Leads, Advisors, Environmental Engineers, Occupational Health personnel, and project-level safety staff. This position requires close collaboration with Operations Directors, BU Managers, Project Managers, and process-related teams such as Document Control, Procurement, Commercial, and Estimation. The role supports both proactive and reactive EHS management, ensuring best-in-class standards and the consistent delivery of organisation-wide EHS initiatives and campaigns. The EHS BU Lead must be capable of influencing senior leaders, client teams, and site personnel to uphold a world-class safety culture.

Essential Criteria Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar BU/Lead/EHS Manager role within a €200m+ business. At least 8 years’ EHS experience in construction, engineering, petrochemical, or multinational manufacturing/advanced technology environments. Diploma or Degree in Occupational Health & Safety; technical/engineering background preferred. Additional environmental qualification (e.g., IEMA or similar) desirable. Competence in accident investigation, negotiation, influencing, lifting operations, energy safety, temporary works, work-at-height, and plant safety. Strong IT proficiency, including MS Office and EHS platforms (e.g., DataScope, Hammertech, BIM 360). Strong report writing, RCA, risk analysis, and administrative skills. Experience preparing EHS elements of tenders. Willingness to travel extensively. Proven ability to lead and develop a team of EHS professionals. Commitment to high performance and willingness to go above and beyond when required.

Key Responsibilities Provide hands-on support to projects, BU stakeholders, client representatives, and the supply chain. Engage with clients professionally, responding to queries, promoting best practice, and supporting incident/NCR closeout. Ensure high-quality project setup through early involvement in new projects. Collaborate with Procurement/PQQ teams to assess supply chain EHS capability. Build strong networks to promote a positive EHS culture across the BU. Set audit targets, monitor performance, and review audit quality monthly. Conduct regular reviews of open EHS issues and critical actions. Formally audit projects at least quarterly, focusing on significant risks, and report findings to senior management. Analyse BU EHS data monthly, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities. Approve alerts, bulletins, and communication content for distribution across the business. Support tender and estimation teams in developing best-in-class EHS tender packages. Lead quarterly EHS strategy development and present to BU management. Identify continuous improvement opportunities, especially around design and process safety. Review and quality-check incident reports, NCRs, SIPs, and action plans. Champion the organisation’s Safety Management System and deliver relevant knowledge sessions. Ensure robust onboarding and engagement for new EHS staff. Prepare, review, and present the BU’s monthly EHS report. Ensure key training and competency requirements are met throughout the BU. Support and facilitate external audits. Oversee sustainability and environmental compliance processes. Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Monitor legislative changes and ensure full compliance across all regions of operation. Promote wellbeing and occupational health following a bio-psychosocial approach.