Associate Director

Associate Director - £60-65k - Liverpool

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Associate Director – Head of Principal Contractor Health & Safety to lead and oversee health, safety, and compliance practices for our principal contractor operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership skills to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are embedded across all project sites, fostering a culture of safety excellence and compliance.

As a senior member of the organization, you will be responsible for developing and implementing policies, managing risk, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards. You will work collaboratively with project teams, clients, contractors, and external stakeholders to promote a safe working environment and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy:

• Lead and mentor the health and safety team, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Act as the organization's subject matter expert on principal contractor health and safety, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, including CDM 2015 regulations.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture across all project sites and organizational levels.

Policy Development and Compliance:

• Establish, review, and update health and safety policies and procedures to reflect best practices and legislative requirements.
• Ensure all projects comply with applicable health and safety laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, method statements, and construction phase plans.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies, such as the HSE, and represent the organization during inspections and audits.

Risk Management and Monitoring:

• Lead on identifying, assessing, and mitigating health and safety risks across all principal contractor projects.
• Conduct regular site visits, audits, and inspections to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement.
• Investigate incidents, accidents, and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are implemented.
• Monitor health and safety performance, produce reports, and present findings to senior management and clients.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, and supply chain partners to ensure collaborative health and safety management.
• Provide expert advice and support to project teams on health and safety matters throughout the project lifecycle.
• Deliver training, workshops, and toolbox talks to raise awareness and competency across teams.

Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 qualification in occupational health and safety.
• Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Extensive experience in a health and safety leadership role within the construction industry.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 regulations and principal contractor responsibilities.
• Proven track record of managing health and safety in large-scale, complex projects.
• Experience leading and developing health and safety teams.

Desirable:

• Relevant degree in health and safety, construction, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of environmental management and sustainability practices.
• Additional qualifications such as ISO 45001 Lead Auditor or similar.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess risks and develop practical solutions.
• Proficient in using health and safety management systems and reporting tools.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.