QHSE Manager - Construction

QHSE & CDM Manager

Salary: Competitive | Senior Leadership Opportunity | UK

Lead the safety agenda. Shape standards. Make a lasting impact on critical infrastructure.

Are you an experienced QHSE leader ready to take ownership of safety, quality and CDM compliance across complex, high-profile infrastructure programmes?

DR Newitt Engineering & Manufacturing is working in partnership with a major organisation operating within a highly regulated, security-critical environment to appoint an accomplished QHSE & CDM Manager.

This is an opportunity to step into a strategically important leadership position, where you'll influence senior decision-making, drive continuous improvement and ensure the highest standards of health, safety, quality and environmental performance across a significant engineering and infrastructure operation.

With responsibility for shaping assurance frameworks, strengthening compliance and embedding best practice throughout the project lifecycle, this role offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference at both operational and strategic levels.

Please note: Appointment is subject to successfully obtaining Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

The Opportunity

Reporting into senior divisional leadership, you'll take the lead on QHSE strategy and provide authoritative guidance on Construction Design and Management (CDM) compliance.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, clients, designers, contractors and project teams, ensuring that safety is embedded from initial planning and design through to construction and project completion.

This is much more than a compliance role. It's an opportunity to influence how complex programmes are delivered, strengthen organisational capability and drive a proactive, forward-thinking safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead QHSE strategy and improvement – Develop and implement improvement plans, assurance programmes and compliance frameworks aligned with business, contractual and industry objectives.

• Own CDM leadership and assurance – Act as the senior competent lead for CDM matters, advising clients, project teams and senior management on their duties and obligations under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

• Embed safety throughout the project lifecycle – Oversee the application of CDM principles across pre-construction planning, design risk management, construction delivery and the preparation of Health and Safety Files.

• Drive performance and continuous improvement – Use audits, incident investigations, performance metrics and root-cause analysis to identify risks, address non-conformances and implement sustainable corrective actions.

• Influence senior stakeholders – Build effective working relationships with clients, Principal Designers, Principal Contractors, designers, contractors and operational leaders.

• Strengthen compliance and assurance – Ensure robust systems and processes are in place to maintain standards, manage risk and support safe, effective project delivery.

• Champion a proactive safety culture – Promote collaboration, accountability and best practice across multidisciplinary teams and complex operational environments.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to hear from established QHSE professionals who combine strong technical knowledge with the confidence and credibility to influence at senior level.

You'll ideally bring:

• Chartered membership of IOSH, preferably CMIOSH.

• A NEBOSH Diploma or an equivalent advanced health and safety qualification.

• Extensive knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and their practical application.

• A strong understanding of pre-construction information, design risk assessments, risk registers, Construction Phase Plans and Health and Safety Files.

• Proven experience in a senior QHSE leadership position, ideally across multiple sites, major infrastructure programmes or highly regulated operations.

• Experience developing and implementing audit programmes, ISO management systems, incident investigations, root-cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

• The ability to challenge constructively, influence senior decision-makers and drive accountability across complex project teams.

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• A background in nuclear, civil engineering, electrical engineering or major infrastructure projects.

• Experience delivering training or developing QHSE knowledge and capability within an organisation.

• A track record in commercially focused, client-facing environments.

• Involvement in tender submissions, bid support, policy development or project mobilisation.

• A full UK driving licence, particularly given the geographical scope of the operation.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

A genuine opportunity to influence at a strategic level.

This position offers the chance to move beyond day-to-day compliance and play a central role in shaping QHSE standards across a significant engineering and infrastructure operation.

You'll benefit from:

• Strategic influence: Help shape QHSE strategy, assurance frameworks and the standards that underpin major project delivery.

• Complex, high-profile programmes: Apply your expertise within a security-conscious, highly regulated environment where safety and compliance are paramount.

• Senior-level exposure: Work directly with divisional leadership, clients and specialist engineering teams, contributing to important operational and strategic decisions.

• Professional challenge: Take ownership of meaningful improvement initiatives, strengthen existing systems and drive measurable performance improvements.

• Long-term impact: Help build a stronger safety culture and contribute to the quality, resilience and successful delivery of essential infrastructure.

If you're ready to take the next step in your QHSE career and want a role where your expertise, judgement and leadership can make a tangible difference, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

Interested?

For a confidential discussion, or to find out more about this opportunity, contact DR Newitt Engineering & Manufacturing today.

Apply now to discuss the role, your experience and the next step in your career.

Important: This appointment is subject to successfully passing Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Candidates should be prepared to undergo the required security vetting process