Safety Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

A leading environmental services organisation operating across Australia and New Zealand is seeking an experienced Health & Safety Manager to lead WHS across its construction and capital delivery project portfolio.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role for a seasoned HSE professional who has operated in complex, multi-contractor construction environments and understands what it takes to embed safety deeply into project culture, not just comply with it on paper.

Based at project or regional locations across Australia, you will be the senior HSE presence on site and the functional link to the broader HSES leadership team. You will provide leadership, coaching and expert guidance to project teams and contractors, managing critical construction risks and driving a consistent, high-performing safety culture across all works.

This is a two-year contract with an organisation that takes safety seriously at the leadership level.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Your core focus will be ensuring every worker returns home safely. To do that, you will:

• Plan, implement and assure the effective application of the HSEQ Management System across construction projects
• Drive HSE strategy and continuous improvement across project safety performance
• Provide expert advice on WHS legislation, company standards and safe work practices to project and construction teams
• Lead safety capability through targeted training, inductions, critical risk programmes and emergency preparedness
• Provide visible, on-site leadership: embedding safety into project planning, scheduling and execution activities
• Integrate risk management into all phases of project delivery (SWMS, JSAs, critical controls)
• Manage high-risk activities including working at heights, confined space entry, lifting operations, excavation and mobile plant
• Lead contractor HSE prequalification, onboarding and performance management
• Conduct inspections, audits and assurance activities and drive timely close-out of actions
• Lead incident investigations: robust root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions
• Monitor and report HSE performance, including leading and lagging indicators, trends and improvement actions
• Coach project leaders, supervisors and contractors to strengthen safety leadership and accountability
• Contribute HSE input to tender and project planning phases
• Represent HSE in project and client forums
• Provide independent assurance to senior leadership on HSEQ system effectiveness across projects

ABOUT YOU

You bring a genuine track record in construction HSE, not just the qualifications. You understand the pace and complexity of multi-contractor project delivery and you know how to earn credibility on site fast.

Essential:

• 8 or more years of experience in Health and Safety within construction, infrastructure or major capital projects
• Demonstrated experience managing HSE in multi-contractor, high-risk construction environments
• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice
• Proven ability to lead, influence and coach project teams at all levels
• Strong capability in risk management, incident investigation and audit/assurance
• Well-developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to analyse performance data, identify trends and drive targeted improvement
• Proficiency in HSE systems, reporting tools and data management

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualifications in Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Risk Management or a related discipline
• Experience in water, waste, environmental or utilities sectors
• Lead Auditor qualifications (ISO 45001 / ISO 14001)
• Experience supporting tenders and project design/planning phases

QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Qualifications in Work Health and Safety (WHS): Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree
• Construction White Card (WHS General Induction)
• ICAM or equivalent incident investigation training
• Lead or Internal Auditor certification
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Senior First Aid Certification
• Mental Health First Aid certification (desirable)
• 
  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This role requires onsite at Blacktown NSW.

HOW TO APPLY

This is a confidential search managed exclusively by Civitas Talent. The employing organisation will not be disclosed at this stage of the process.

To express your interest, please contact Shane O'Neill at Civitas Talent:

Email: shane@civitastalent.com

Phone: 0420 736 144

All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. Civitas Talent is a specialist HR and HSE recruitment agency operating across Australia, New Zealand and internationally.