SHEQ Director

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to continue the fantastic safety journey our retiring SHEQ Director has established alongside the whole Bridges team who relentlessly focus on our number one value ‘SAFE PEOPLE’. Bridges is on an exciting journey, a business enjoying ongoing significant growth.

We are looking for an ambitious SHEQ Director to lead, develop and deliver Bridges SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality) strategy across all areas of the business, including onsite turnkey construction and MEICA activities for Water projects across the UK, through to our manufacturing facilities and maintenance and breakdown teams.

You will support SLT in fostering a culture of zero harm and zero incidents through resilient SHEQ systems and practices.

This role ensures full compliance with all regulations including a particular focus water industry regulations and drives a proactive safety culture, environmental stewardship, and quality excellence across operations and capital delivery programs.

We are listed on the Sunday Times Top 100 Places to Work 2024.

As a team we shape and support engineering and construction for our clients who in turn touch the daily lives of millions of people across the UK. We have a large diverse team of talented Safe & Happy People, combining their strengths and ambition to bring innovation and evolution which ensures Sustainability for all stakeholders.

Across our key sectors – Water, Power, Energy and Aggregates, and supported through our regional office network supported by our manufacturing hub located in the heart of Somerset which forms part of our 60,000ft head office complex – we deliver diverse and interesting projects and programmes throughout UK infrastructure.

Our projects range in value from £5k to £15m, taking the role of Principal Contractor and Principal Designer on various schemes, and supporting our valued Tier 1 contractor clients in a subcontractor and off-site manufacturing capacity.

• Be accountable for our ‘SAFE PEOPLE’, Environment and Quality plan, the ongoing development and implementation of an integrated SHEQ strategy aligned with corporate goals and specifically construction and industry regulations.
• Be an advisor to the board, senior leadership team and business on SHEQ risks, compliance obligations, and performance improvement.
• Ensure a culture of safety and operational integrity across the business.
• Champion thinking outside the box; focusing on behavioural initiatives, embracing technology through AI/ new technology and taking the business on its journey to achieve its number one goal ‘SAFE PEOPLE’.
• Supporting and leading SHEQ elements of Framework bids.

• Ensure full compliance with applicable legislation (e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act, ATEX and DSEAR, CDM, Water Industry Act, Environmental Permitting Regulations etc.).
• Maintain strong relationships with regulatory bodies (e.g. DWI, HSE, EA, EN) and lead on audit responses, enforcement actions, and performance reporting.
• Oversee risk assessments and critical control frameworks for operational and high-risk activities (e.g. confined spaces, hazardous substances, process safety).
• Policy Development:
  Ensuring policies are reviewed, maintained and compliant with new and existing legislation.

• Lead the delivery of environmental compliance and sustainability objectives, including reduction of emissions, water efficiency, ecology and waste management.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits and waste management legislation requirements.
• Support ESG strategy development and reporting in line with industry and government targets (e.g. Net Zero, Biodiversity Net Gain).

• Oversee the implementation and continual improvement of ISO-certified management systems (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001).
• Ensure robust quality assurance practices across the business.
• Lead audits, non-conformance investigations, and root cause analysis to ensure continuous improvement.

• Provide SHEQ leadership across…