Principal, Health & Safety – EMEA

Principal, Health & Safety – EMEA

Commercial Fit-Out & Design & Build | London / Hybrid

£100,000–£110,000 basic + performance-related bonus of up to 20%

Permanent | UK-based with European responsibilities

The Opportunity

At Unispace, we're looking for an experienced Health & Safety leader to take ownership of H&S across our European operations.

As a global workplace design and construction business, we deliver commercial office fit-out, workplace refurbishment and design & build projects for some of the world's leading organisations.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position for someone with a strong commercial fit-out background who enjoys taking ownership, influencing operational teams and personally driving improvements.

You'll have the autonomy to shape H&S standards across our European operations, working closely with regional Managing Directors, Project Managers and Site Managers.

Importantly, we're not looking for someone who simply develops strategy and delegates its implementation. We need someone who can assess what's required, establish the right standards and personally help deliver improvements across our projects.

Your Responsibilities

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Lead H&S strategy, standards and performance across our European construction operations.

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Conduct gap analyses and develop, implement and improve H&S policies, procedures and safe systems of work.

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Visit live commercial fit-out and refurbishment projects, carrying out inspections and addressing operational risks.

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Work directly with Project Managers, Site Managers and subcontractors to maintain and improve safety standards.

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Lead serious incident investigations, regulatory engagement and corrective action programmes.

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Challenge senior operational leadership where safety standards or legal obligations are at risk.

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Oversee audits, reporting, compliance and continuous improvement across European locations.

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Manage and support our permanent H&S team member based in Switzerland and external local H&S consultants.

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Work with regional studio leadership to ensure consistent H&S standards while accounting for local legislation.

What We're Looking For

Direct commercial fit-out, workplace refurbishment or design & build experience is essential.

You'll ideally have worked as a Head of Health & Safety, Senior H&S Manager, Regional H&S Manager or equivalent senior decision-maker within a construction or specialist fit-out business.

You'll need to demonstrate:

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Substantial H&S experience within commercial office fit-out, refurbishment or workplace D&B.

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Previous senior-level accountability across construction projects and operational teams.

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The ability to independently develop strategy and personally implement practical improvements.

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Strong working knowledge of CDM regulations, RAMS, subcontractor management and site safety.

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Experience leading serious investigations and working with regulators or external authorities.

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Confidence challenging Project Directors, Managing Directors and operational stakeholders.

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The ability to work autonomously within a lean team structure, balancing strategic and hands-on responsibilities.

Previous European H&S experience would be advantageous, but we also welcome applications from established UK construction H&S leaders with the right commercial fit-out background.

Candidates whose experience is primarily within major infrastructure, civil engineering or new-build construction, without significant commercial fit-out exposure, are unlikely to meet the requirements of this position.

Location & Working Arrangements

This is a UK-based position with responsibility across our European operations. You'll have considerable autonomy in managing your diary around office attendance, live project inspections and occasional international travel.

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London attendance is typically 1–2 days per week, depending on operational requirements.

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We welcome candidates with reliable transport connections into London who can attend regularly and respond to urgent requirements.

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European travel typically involves approximately one studio or project visit per month, depending on business needs.

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Remote working is supported when office attendance or project visits aren't required.

Normal commuting expenses to the London office are not reimbursed. Reasonable business travel expenses, including transport, accommodation and subsistence for project visits and European travel, are covered in accordance with company policy.

Salary & Benefits

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Basic salary: £100,000–£110,000

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Performance-related bonus: Up to 20%

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Pension: Employer matching contributions of 4–7%

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Private healthcare from the end of the first month

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Life insurance from day one

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23 days' annual leave, plus 3 additional days at Christmas and UK bank holidays

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Additional employee benefits and discounts, subject to eligibility

There is no company car or car allowance attached to the position.

Why Join Unispace?

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of Health & Safety within an established international workplace design and construction business.

You'll work closely with senior leadership, have the freedom to influence how H&S is delivered and make a tangible difference across our projects.

With a lean supporting structure and a combination of strategic and operational responsibilities, the role is particularly suited to someone who enjoys being accountable for results while remaining connected to live construction delivery.

If you're an experienced commercial fit-out H&S leader looking for broader regional responsibility without losing your hands-on involvement, we'd welcome your application.

Apply today to explore the opportunity with Unispace