VP of EHSQ / Chief Risk & Safety Officer

Role Purpose & Context

Role Summary

As our VP of EHSQ / Chief Risk & Safety Officer, you'll set the strategic direction for health, safety, environment, and quality across the entire enterprise, typically looking at a 3-5 year horizon. This means you're not just reacting to incidents; you're proactively shaping our risk appetite and embedding safety into every major business decision. You'll sit at the executive table, translating complex regulatory landscapes and operational risks into clear, actionable strategies that the Board and investors can understand. When this role is done exceptionally well, we'll see a tangible reduction in enterprise-level risk, a stronger brand reputation, and a genuine, deeply ingrained safety culture that protects every single employee and the communities we operate in. When it's not, frankly, the consequences can be catastrophic—think major regulatory fines, irreparable reputational damage, and, worst of all, serious harm to our people. The challenge here is balancing ambitious growth with unwavering safety standards across a diverse, global operation. The reward? Knowing you're directly responsible for saving lives, protecting our planet, and safeguarding the long-term viability of the company.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Board of Directors
• Direct reports: This role will typically oversee a large organisation, potentially hundreds to thousands of individuals, including multiple Directors and Managers across various business units and geographies. You're not managing individuals day-to-day, you're building and leading a leadership team.
• Matrix relationships: Chief Safety Officer, Group Head of Health & Safety, Global Head of EHS, Executive Director of Risk & Compliance,

Key Stakeholders

Internal:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Board of Directors (especially the Risk/Audit Committee)
• Executive Leadership Team (CFO, COO, CHRO, General Counsel)
• Heads of Business Units/Divisions
• Legal & Compliance Teams
• Operations & Engineering Leadership
• Human Resources Leadership
• Investor Relations

External:

• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., HSE, OSHA, EPA, local authorities globally)
• Investors & ESG Rating Agencies
• Insurance Providers & Underwriters
• Industry Associations & Peers
• External Auditors (ISO, financial)
• Major Supply Chain Partners & Contractors
• Media & Public Relations

Organisational Impact

Scope: Your decisions directly influence the company's enterprise risk profile, its licence to operate in various jurisdictions, its brand reputation, and its ability to attract and retain top talent. You're essentially the guardian of our long-term sustainability and ethical standing. Get it right, and you'll build a resilient, responsible organisation. Get it wrong, and the impact can be felt from the factory floor to the share price.

Performance Metrics

Quantitative Metrics

1. Metric: Enterprise Incident Rates (TRIR/LTIFR)
2. Desc: Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) across all global operations.
3. Target: Achieve a year-over-year reduction of 10-15% in TRIR and maintain zero fatalities. The ultimate goal is always zero harm, but we track progress rigorously.
4. Freq: Quarterly, with deep dives into root causes for any significant incidents.
5. Example: Reduced global TRIR from 1.2 to 1.0 in the last fiscal year, demonstrating the effectiveness of our new enterprise safety programme.
6. Metric: Workers' Compensation Costs & Premiums
7. Desc: The total cost of workers' compensation claims and annual insurance premiums across the organisation.
8. Target: Reduce annual workers' compensation insurance premiums by 5-10% through demonstrable risk reduction and proactive claims management.
9. Freq: Annually, with monthly reviews of claims data.
10. Example: Implemented a new return-to-work programme that cut lost workdays by 15%, leading to a £2M reduction in our annual insurance premium.
11. Metric: Enterprise Audit Performance & Compliance
12. Desc: The number of major and minor non-conformances identified during external ISO 45001/14001/9001 recertification audits across all business units.
13. Target: Achieve zero 'Major' non-conformances and a year-over-year reduction of 20% in 'Minor' non-conformances across all business units during ISO recertification audits.
14. Freq: Annually for recertification, with internal audits conducted quarterly.
15. Example: Successfully guided all 15 global sites through their ISO 45001 recertification with only 3 minor non-conformances in total, down from 12 the previous year.
16. Metric: ESG Rating Improvement (Safety & Governance)
17. Desc: Our company's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) scores from key rating agencies, specifically focusing on the 'S' (Social) and 'G' (Governance) components related to safety and risk management.
18. Target: Improve our overall ESG 'S' and 'G' scores by at least 10% annually, demonstrating leadership in responsible business practices to investors.
19. Freq: Annually, following publication of ratings.
20. Example: Our proactive safety initiatives and transparent reporting led to an upgrade in our MSCI ESG rating from 'BBB' to 'A', attracting new institutional investors.
21. Metric: Regulatory Fines & Sanctions
22. Desc: The total value of fines, penalties, or sanctions levied by regulatory bodies globally due to EHS non-compliance.
23. Target: Maintain zero significant regulatory fines or sanctions across the entire enterprise. This is non-negotiable.
24. Freq: Continuously monitored, reported quarterly to the Board.
25. Example: Despite operating in 30+ countries, we've had zero regulatory fines above £10,000 for the past five years, a testament to our robust compliance framework.

Qualitative Metrics

1. Metric: Board & Executive Confidence
2. Desc: The level of trust and confidence the Board and Executive Leadership Team have in the EHSQ function's ability to manage enterprise risk and provide strategic counsel.
3. Evidence: You'll be proactively consulted on all major strategic decisions with potential EHSQ implications (e.g., M&A, new market entry, significant capital projects). Your opinions will be sought on key hires in operations and engineering. You'll regularly present to the Board's Risk or Audit Committee, and they'll value your insights. Essentially, you're seen as a critical partner, not just a compliance gatekeeper.
4. Metric: Global Safety Culture Maturity
5. Desc: The observable shift towards a proactive, interdependent safety culture across all global business units, where safety is genuinely a shared value.
6. Evidence: Improvements in anonymous safety culture survey scores, particularly around 'just culture' and reporting of near misses. Visible leadership engagement in safety walks and discussions. Reduced resistance to safety initiatives. Positive feedback from frontline workers about feeling empowered to stop unsafe work. You'll see a shift from 'we have to' to 'we want to' when it comes to safety.
7. Metric: Regulatory & External Stakeholder Relationships
8. Desc: The quality and effectiveness of our relationships with key regulatory bodies, industry associations, and external partners.
9. Evidence: Proactive engagement with regulators on policy development, leading to a 'trusted partner' status. Positive feedback from industry peers on our contributions to best practices. No major public relations crises related to EHSQ incidents. You're not just reacting to external demands; you're helping to shape the conversation.
10. Metric: Strategic Integration of EHSQ
11. Desc: The extent to which EHSQ considerations are embedded into core business processes, from product design to supply chain management and capital expenditure decisions.
12. Evidence: EHSQ impact assessments are a mandatory, early-stage component of all new product development, M&A due diligence, and major project approvals. EHSQ metrics are included in executive performance reviews. You'll see EHSQ risks discussed as part of broader enterprise risk management, not as a standalone afterthought.
13. Metric: Talent Development & Succession Planning
14. Desc: The successful development of a robust EHSQ talent pipeline, ensuring leadership continuity and capability building.
15. Evidence: A clear succession plan for your direct reports and key leadership roles within the EHSQ function. High retention rates for top EHSQ talent. Internal promotions into senior EHSQ roles. Your team is seen as a source of expertise, not just for safety, but for broader operational excellence.

Primary Traits

• Trait: Visionary Risk Strategist
• Manifestation: You're the kind of person who can look at global trends—climate change, geopolitical shifts, new technologies—and immediately see the long-term safety and environmental implications for our business. You don't just react to the latest incident; you're always thinking three to five years ahead, anticipating risks and building proactive strategies. You can articulate a compelling vision for what 'world-class' EHSQ looks like for us, and then map out how we'll actually get there.
• Benefit: At the C-suite level, we need someone who can integrate EHSQ into our overall enterprise strategy. It's about setting the company's risk appetite, not just managing individual risks. If you can't see the big picture and translate it into a long-term plan, we'll always be playing catch-up, which is a dangerous game to play when lives and billions in market value are at stake.
• Trait: Pragmatic Board Whisperer
• Manifestation: You can walk into a boardroom, present a complex safety issue, and get the CEO and Board to not only understand it but also commit significant resources to fix it. You speak the language of business—ROI, shareholder value, brand reputation, legal liability—not just 'because it's the right thing to do.' You know when to push hard and when to compromise, always with the ultimate goal of protecting the company and its people. You're a master at building alliances across the executive team.
• Benefit: Safety initiatives often require significant investment and can sometimes slow down operations in the short term. You need to influence without direct authority over every business unit. Your ability to persuade, negotiate, and build consensus at the highest levels is absolutely critical to secure the funding and executive buy-in needed to drive enterprise-wide change. Without it, even the best strategies will simply gather dust.
• Trait: Unflappable Global Crisis Commander
• Manifestation: When a major incident hits—say, a significant environmental spill in a sensitive region or a multi-fatality accident at a remote site—you're the calmest person in the room. You immediately establish command, direct the executive crisis team, manage communications with regulators and the media, and ensure the right resources are deployed globally. You're making critical decisions under immense pressure, always with an eye on both the immediate response and the long-term reputational impact.
• Benefit: In a global enterprise, incidents can escalate quickly and have far-reaching consequences. Your ability to lead decisively, communicate clearly, and maintain composure during a crisis is paramount. A misstep here can cost millions in fines, destroy public trust, and severely damage our brand. You are the designated leader who can navigate the storm and guide the company through its darkest hours.
• Trait: Forensically Meticulous (at Scale)
• Manifestation: You're not just looking for a misplaced decimal point; you're spotting systemic flaws in our global EHS management system that could lead to widespread non-compliance. You can dissect a complex incident investigation report, identify the subtle biases, and push for deeper root cause analysis that goes beyond 'human error' to uncover organisational failings. You demand rigour in data and reporting, knowing that what gets measured gets managed, and what's mismeasured can be disastrous.
• Benefit: At this level, a single oversight in a global policy, a flawed risk assessment methodology, or a misinterpretation of a new regulation can have enterprise-wide implications. Your meticulousness ensures that our systems are robust, our data is reliable, and our compliance posture is unassailable, protecting us from significant legal, financial, and reputational risks.

Supporting Traits

• Trait: Resilient
• Desc: You'll face setbacks—budget cuts, resistance to change, perhaps even a major incident. You need to bounce back quickly, learn from the experience, and keep pushing forward with unwavering commitment to safety. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
• Trait: Empathetic Leader
• Desc: While you're at the executive level, you never lose sight of the people on the front line. You genuinely understand their challenges, pressures, and perspectives, which helps you design effective, practical safety solutions and build trust across the organisation.
• Trait: Didactic & Inspiring Communicator
• Desc: You're a natural teacher and storyteller. You can explain complex EHSQ concepts to anyone, from a frontline worker to a board member, in a way that resonates and inspires action. You don't just inform; you motivate and create advocates for safety.
• Trait: Ethical Compass
• Desc: You have an unshakeable moral compass, always prioritising safety and ethical conduct above short-term gains. You'll be the voice of conscience at the executive table, ensuring we always do the right thing, even when it's difficult or unpopular.

Primary Motivators

1. Motivator: Protecting Lives & Livelihoods
2. Daily: Knowing that the policies and systems you put in place directly prevent injuries, illnesses, and environmental harm. This manifests as a deep sense of purpose in every strategic decision, every board presentation, and every incident review.
3. Motivator: Shaping Corporate Legacy & Reputation
4. Daily: Seeing EHSQ excellence become a core differentiator for the company, improving its standing with investors, regulators, and the public. This drives your commitment to transparent reporting and proactive risk management, knowing it builds long-term value.
5. Motivator: Navigating Complex Global Challenges
6. Daily: Thriving on the intellectual challenge of interpreting diverse global regulations, managing risks across different cultures, and integrating EHSQ into complex M&A activities. This means you're always learning, adapting, and innovating.

Potential Demotivators

Honestly, this role isn't for everyone. If you need immediate gratification from seeing every single project through to completion, you might struggle. You'll spend a lot of time on long-term, strategic initiatives where the tangible results might not be visible for years. You'll also face constant pressure to balance safety investments against other business priorities, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, a major incident might still occur. If you can't handle the political complexities of the executive suite or the emotional toll of dealing with serious incidents, this won't be a good fit.

Common Frustrations

1. Executive resistance to investing in proactive safety measures, especially when the 'return' isn't immediately quantifiable in financial terms.
2. Battling the perception that EHSQ is a cost centre or a bureaucratic hurdle, rather than a strategic enabler of business resilience.
3. The sheer administrative burden of global compliance, often feeling like you're drowning in paperwork despite your best efforts to streamline.
4. Dealing with the aftermath of a serious incident, knowing that despite all your systems, human error or unforeseen circumstances can still lead to tragedy.
5. The challenge of embedding a consistent safety culture across diverse global operations with varying local regulations and cultural norms.
6. Discovering major business decisions (e.g., new acquisitions, market entries) have been made without adequate EHSQ due diligence, forcing reactive scrambling.

What Role Doesn't Offer

1. A quiet, predictable routine. Every day brings new challenges, often urgent and high-stakes.
2. The ability to make unilateral decisions without significant executive and board alignment.
3. A role where you're solely focused on technical safety details; this is about enterprise strategy and leadership.
4. An environment free from political negotiation and the need to constantly advocate for your function's importance.

ADHD Positives

1. The fast-paced, high-stakes nature of crisis management can be incredibly engaging, allowing for hyperfocus when it matters most.
2. The need for innovative, big-picture strategic thinking to anticipate future risks can be a significant strength.
3. The ability to quickly pivot between diverse, complex global challenges keeps the role stimulating and prevents monotony.

ADHD Challenges and Accommodations

1. Managing the vast scope of enterprise-wide EHSQ can be overwhelming; strong delegation to your leadership team is crucial. We'd support you with executive assistants to help manage complex schedules and information flow.
2. Maintaining focus on long-term strategic initiatives amidst daily urgent demands. We'd help by structuring dedicated 'deep work' blocks and providing tools for strategic planning and progress tracking.
3. The sheer volume of documentation and detailed reporting required for board and regulatory bodies. We'd ensure you have excellent support staff and AI tools to assist with drafting and review.

Dyslexia Positives

1. Often brings exceptional spatial reasoning and pattern recognition, which is invaluable for identifying systemic risks and designing intuitive safety systems.
2. Strong verbal communication and storytelling skills can be a huge asset when presenting complex EHSQ strategies to the Board and inspiring cultural change.
3. The ability to think holistically and connect disparate pieces of information is critical for enterprise-level risk management.

Dyslexia Challenges and Accommodations

1. The extensive reading and writing required for global regulatory interpretation, policy drafting, and board reports. We'd provide access to advanced text-to-speech and speech-to-text software, as well as dedicated editorial support.
2. Ensuring absolute accuracy in critical documents like incident reports or legal submissions. We'd implement robust review processes with multiple checks and proofreading support.
3. Managing large volumes of written communication. We'd encourage the use of visual aids, executive summaries, and verbal briefings where appropriate, and provide tools for efficient email management.

Autism Positives

1. A strong adherence to logic, rules, and systems is highly valuable in ensuring consistent global compliance and robust management systems.
2. Exceptional ability to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential failure points in complex operational systems, which is critical for proactive risk assessment.
3. Direct, unambiguous communication style can be very effective in high-stakes situations where clarity is paramount, such as incident command.

Autism Challenges and Accommodations

1. Navigating the nuanced social dynamics and unspoken expectations of executive-level politics and board interactions. We'd provide coaching on executive communication and stakeholder management, and ensure you have trusted advisors.
2. The constant need for flexibility and rapid adaptation to unforeseen crises or changing regulatory landscapes. We'd support with structured crisis management protocols and clear decision-making frameworks.
3. Managing sensory input in a busy, high-pressure executive environment (e.g., frequent meetings, travel). We'd offer flexible working arrangements, quiet spaces, and ensure travel schedules are manageable.

Key Responsibilities

Experience Levels Responsibilities

1. Level: C-Suite (20+ years)
2. Responsibilities: Define the overarching 3-5 year enterprise EHSQ vision and strategy, ensuring it aligns with our corporate objectives and global growth plans. This isn't just a document; it's the roadmap for how we protect our people and planet across every operation.
3. Provide Board-level accountability and reporting on EHSQ performance, enterprise risk exposure, and strategic initiatives. You'll present regularly to the Board's Risk or Audit Committee, answering tough questions and influencing critical decisions.
4. Lead the integration of EHSQ into our overall Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework, ensuring that safety and environmental risks are properly identified, assessed, and mitigated across all business functions. Think about how EHSQ impacts our financial stability, not just compliance.
5. Oversee global regulatory compliance, anticipating legislative changes and ensuring our policies and procedures meet or exceed requirements in every jurisdiction we operate in. This involves working closely with our legal teams and external counsel.
6. Drive a culture of proactive risk management and continuous improvement across the entire organisation, moving us beyond mere compliance to genuine EHSQ excellence. This means challenging the status quo and inspiring change from the top down.
7. Lead enterprise-level incident and crisis management, acting as the primary executive point of contact for significant EHSQ events. You'll direct the response, manage external communications, and ensure robust root cause analysis and corrective actions are implemented globally.
8. Develop and mentor a high-performing global EHSQ leadership team, fostering a pipeline of talent and ensuring we have the right capabilities to execute our strategy. You're building the future of EHSQ for our company.
9. Manage the enterprise EHSQ budget (typically £10M+), allocating resources strategically to initiatives that deliver the greatest impact on risk reduction and cultural transformation. This involves tough trade-offs and convincing other executives.
10. Represent the company externally as a thought leader on EHSQ matters, engaging with industry bodies, regulators, and investors to enhance our reputation and influence best practices.
11. Lead EHSQ due diligence and integration for all major mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, identifying risks and ensuring seamless transition and compliance in new entities. Get this wrong, and you inherit massive liabilities.
12. Supervision: You're fully autonomous in setting the strategic direction for EHSQ, reporting directly to the CEO or Board. Your work is subject to Board governance and executive team alignment, but your day-to-day execution and leadership of the EHSQ function are your responsibility.
13. Decision: You hold full strategic authority for the enterprise EHSQ function, including budget allocation (typically £10M+), organisational design of your department, and defining global EHSQ policies and standards. You'll have significant influence over major capital expenditure decisions, M&A activities, and operational changes where EHSQ risks are present. Board-level decisions require CEO and Board alignment, but your recommendations carry significant weight.
14. Success: Success at this level means a demonstrable, sustained reduction in enterprise-level EHSQ risk, a significant improvement in our global safety culture maturity (as evidenced by metrics and qualitative feedback), zero major regulatory fines or sanctions, and EHSQ excellence becoming a recognised competitive advantage for the company, positively impacting our ESG ratings and investor confidence. You'll be seen as a trusted advisor to the Board and a respected leader across the industry.

Decision-Making Authority

• Type: Enterprise EHSQ Strategy & Vision
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Global EHSQ Policy & Standards
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Enterprise EHSQ Budget Allocation
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Major Incident Response & Communication
• Entry: Reports incident details to supervisor.
• Mid: Leads local incident investigation, provides initial report.
• Senior: Manages site-level incident response, informs corporate EHS.
• Type: EHSQ M&A Due Diligence & Integration
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A

Competency Requirements

Foundation Skills (Transferable)

At the C-suite level, your foundation skills aren't just about personal effectiveness; they're about your ability to lead, influence, and transform an entire organisation. These are the bedrock behaviours that allow you to operate effectively at the highest echelons of the company and with external stakeholders.

• Category: Executive Leadership & Organisational Transformation
• Skills: Visionary Leadership: Ability to articulate a compelling 3-5 year EHSQ vision that inspires and aligns a global workforce, translating it into actionable strategic imperatives.
• Organisational Change Management: Expert in driving large-scale cultural and systemic change across diverse business units and geographies, overcoming resistance and embedding new behaviours.
• Talent & Team Development: Proven track record in building, mentoring, and retaining high-performing global EHSQ leadership teams, fostering a strong succession pipeline.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Ability to make high-stakes, complex decisions under pressure, considering long-term implications for the business, people, and planet.
• Category: Board-Level Communication & Influence
• Skills: Boardroom Presence: Confident and articulate in presenting complex EHSQ issues and strategies to the Board of Directors, effectively managing questions and gaining consensus.
• Executive Stakeholder Management: Expert in building trust and influencing peers across the C-suite (CEO, CFO, COO, General Counsel) to secure resources and drive EHSQ integration.
• Investor & Regulatory Relations: Skilled in engaging with investors, ESG rating agencies, and senior regulatory officials, representing the company's EHSQ performance and strategy.
• Crisis Communication: Masterful in communicating effectively and empathetically during high-profile incidents, managing internal and external messaging to protect reputation.
• Category: Enterprise Risk Management & Governance
• Skills: Enterprise Risk Integration: Ability to embed EHSQ risk management seamlessly into the broader enterprise risk framework, linking it to financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Strategic Governance: Expert in establishing and overseeing robust EHSQ governance structures, policies, and audit programmes across a global organisation.
• Ethical Leadership: Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and integrity, serving as the moral compass for EHSQ decisions across the company.
• Global Regulatory Acumen: Deep understanding of the global regulatory landscape for EHSQ, anticipating changes and ensuring proactive compliance strategies.

Functional Skills (Role-Specific Technical)

These are the core technical and domain skills that underpin effective EHSQ leadership at the C-suite level. It's not about doing the hands-on work, but about understanding it deeply enough to set strategy, challenge assumptions, and ensure robust implementation across your global team.

Technical Competencies

• Skill: ISO 45001/14001/9001 Management Systems (Enterprise Integration)
• Desc: Deep expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining integrated management systems (IMS) at an enterprise level. This isn't just about passing audits; it's about using the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle to drive genuine continuous improvement and operational excellence across all global business units.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Advanced Root Cause Analysis (Systemic Failures)
• Desc: Mastery of multiple RCA techniques (e.g., Fishbone, Fault Tree, SCAT, TapRoot) to investigate complex, multi-factor incidents at an enterprise level. The focus is on identifying systemic organisational failures, not just individual errors, and ensuring robust corrective and preventive actions are implemented globally.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Hierarchy of Controls Application (Strategic)
• Desc: The ability to strategically apply the hierarchy of controls (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPE) at an enterprise level, consistently pushing the organisation to engineer out hazards through capital investment and design, rather than relying on weaker administrative controls or PPE.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Enterprise Risk Assessment (HAZOP/FMEA/BowTieXP)
• Desc: Proficiency in leading rigorous risk assessment methodologies (e.g., HAZOP, FMEA, BowTieXP) for high-risk processes, critical equipment, and new technologies at an enterprise scale. This includes setting the organisational standard for risk assessment and ensuring consistency globally.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Global Legal & Regulatory Interpretation
• Desc: The ability to translate dense legal text from diverse global regulatory bodies (e.g., HSE, OSHA, EPA, local country laws) into practical, actionable enterprise-wide operational requirements, and to defend the company's interpretation during regulatory inspections and legal challenges.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Behaviour-Based Safety (Cultural Transformation)
• Desc: Experience in designing, implementing, and sustaining large-scale Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) programmes that drive genuine cultural transformation across a global workforce, focusing on positive reinforcement and empowering employees, not assigning blame.
• Level: Expert

Digital Tools

• Tool: EHS Management Platform (Intelex, Cority, VelocityEHS, Enablon)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Leading the selection, procurement, and enterprise-wide deployment of EHS platforms; defining global data governance and integration strategies with ERP/HRIS systems to ensure a single source of truth for EHS data.
• Tool: Mobile EHS & Auditing (iAuditor, GoCanvas)
• Level: Architect
• Usage: Developing the enterprise strategy for mobile EHS data capture, field-level risk identification, and real-time insights from global operations.
• Tool: Risk Assessment Software (BowTieXP, Sphera)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Setting the organisational standard for risk assessment methodologies and tooling, ensuring consistency and rigour across all global business units.
• Tool: LMS for Compliance (Cornerstone OnDemand, Docebo, SAP Litmos)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Owning the enterprise-wide safety training strategy and budget; linking training effectiveness to incident reduction and cultural transformation across the global workforce.
• Tool: BI & Data Visualization (Power BI, Tableau)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Defining the key EHS metrics for executive and board dashboards; presenting data-driven safety cases to the Board and external stakeholders (e.g., investors, regulators).
• Tool: Board Reporting Platforms (Diligent Boards, Nasdaq Boardvantage)
• Level: Expert
• Usage: Directly building and presenting the EHSQ/Risk Committee section within the board portal; answering live questions from directors and influencing board decisions.
• Tool: GRC Systems (ServiceNow GRC, Archer)
• Level: Architect
• Usage: Defining and owning the EHSQ risk framework and control library within the enterprise GRC platform, ensuring seamless integration with broader enterprise risk management.

Industry Knowledge

• Area: Global EHSQ Best Practices & Standards
• Desc: Deep understanding and application of leading global EHSQ best practices, industry benchmarks, and emerging standards (e.g., IOSH, NEBOSH, AIHA, ISO, OHSAS) to drive continuous improvement and maintain competitive advantage.
• Area: Environmental Management & Sustainability
• Desc: Expertise in environmental management systems, carbon footprint reduction, waste management, water stewardship, and broader sustainability initiatives, integrating these with safety and quality objectives.
• Area: Occupational Health & Wellbeing
• Desc: Comprehensive knowledge of occupational health principles, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, and employee wellbeing programmes, ensuring a holistic approach to employee health and safety.
• Area: Product Safety & Stewardship
• Desc: Understanding of product safety regulations, lifecycle assessments, and responsible product stewardship principles, especially relevant for manufacturing or product-based industries.
• Area: Supply Chain EHSQ Management
• Desc: Expertise in managing EHSQ risks across complex global supply chains, including supplier due diligence, auditing, and capacity building to ensure responsible sourcing and contractor safety.

Regulatory Compliance Regulations

• Reg: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (UK)
• Usage: Ensuring enterprise-wide compliance with UK primary health and safety legislation, understanding its implications for global operations, and advising the Board on legal duties and liabilities.
• Reg: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations (UK)
• Usage: Overseeing the global management of hazardous substances, ensuring robust risk assessments, control measures, and employee training are in place, particularly for UK operations.
• Reg: Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales)
• Usage: Ensuring compliance with environmental permitting requirements for our UK operations, understanding the implications for waste, emissions, and resource management.
• Reg: Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (USA)
• Usage: Ensuring robust compliance with US federal and state OSHA regulations across our North American operations, managing inspections, and responding to enforcement actions.
• Reg: European Union (EU) Directives (e.g., Framework Directive 89/391/EEC)
• Usage: Understanding and ensuring compliance with overarching EU health and safety directives and their transposition into national laws across our European operations.
• Reg: ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems)
• Usage: Leading the enterprise-wide implementation, maintenance, and certification of our ISO 45001 management system, driving continuous improvement and cultural alignment globally.
• Reg: ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management Systems)
• Usage: Overseeing the enterprise-wide implementation, maintenance, and certification of our ISO 14001 management system, ensuring environmental stewardship and sustainability.
• Reg: ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems)
• Usage: Ensuring the integration of quality management principles into our EHSQ framework, driving operational excellence and customer satisfaction alongside safety and environmental performance.

Essential Prerequisites

• A proven track record of at least 20 years in EHSQ leadership roles, with significant experience (minimum 10 years) at a Director or VP level within a large, complex, multi-national organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in setting and executing enterprise-wide EHSQ strategy, managing multi-million-pound budgets, and leading diverse global teams (100+ individuals, including managers).
• Extensive experience in direct engagement with Boards of Directors, C-suite executives, and senior regulatory bodies, successfully influencing strategic decisions and managing high-stakes situations.
• A deep understanding of global EHSQ regulatory frameworks and a proven ability to manage compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated success in driving significant cultural change and continuous improvement in EHSQ performance across a large organisation.
• Experience in managing EHSQ aspects of major M&A activities, including due diligence and post-acquisition integration.

Career Pathway Context

This isn't a role you 'grow into' from a Senior Manager position. You'll need to have already walked a significant path, likely having led a large business unit's EHSQ function or a global EHSQ programme for a substantial period. We're looking for someone who has already operated at a strategic, enterprise-level, and is ready to take on the ultimate accountability for EHSQ across our entire company.

Qualifications & Credentials

Emerging Foundation Skills

• Skill: ESG Integration & Sustainable Finance Acumen
• Why: Investors are increasingly scrutinising Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. Your ability to link EHSQ strategy directly to sustainable finance, green bonds, and our overall ESG narrative will be critical for attracting capital and enhancing shareholder value. It's no longer just about compliance; it's about competitive advantage.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)', 'description': 'Understanding how climate-related risks and opportunities impact our business and how to report them to investors.'}, {'concept_name': 'SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative)', 'description': 'Setting and achieving ambitious, verifiable targets for emissions reductions.'}, {'concept_name': 'Double Materiality', 'description': "Assessing both the financial impact of sustainability issues on the company and the company's impact on society and the environment."}, {'concept_name': 'Green Finance Mechanisms', 'description': 'Understanding how EHSQ improvements can unlock access to sustainable finance and lower capital costs.'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Attend an executive workshop on ESG reporting and sustainable finance.
• Next 6 months: Work closely with our Investor Relations and Finance teams to understand current ESG ratings and investor expectations related to EHSQ.
• Next 12 months: Lead the development of a new enterprise EHSQ sustainability roadmap that directly feeds into our annual ESG report.
• Month 18: Present a strategic plan to the Board on how EHSQ initiatives can enhance our ESG profile and investor appeal.
• QuickWin: Start regularly reviewing our competitors' ESG reports and identifying areas where our EHSQ performance can be better articulated or improved to gain an advantage.
• Skill: Digital Ethics & AI Governance in EHSQ
• Why: As we increasingly use AI for predictive risk, worker monitoring, and automated compliance, understanding the ethical implications, data privacy, and algorithmic bias is paramount. You'll need to ensure our digital EHSQ tools are not only effective but also fair, transparent, and compliant with evolving data ethics regulations.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Algorithmic Bias', 'description': 'Identifying and mitigating bias in AI models used for EHSQ (e.g., worker risk assessments).'}, {'concept_name': 'Data Privacy (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)', 'description': 'Ensuring EHSQ data collection and AI use complies with global privacy regulations, especially for worker data.'}, {'concept_name': 'Explainable AI (XAI)', 'description': 'Understanding how AI models arrive at their conclusions to build trust and ensure accountability in EHSQ decisions.'}, {'concept_name': 'Human-in-the-Loop', 'description': 'Designing AI systems where human oversight and intervention remain critical for ethical EHSQ outcomes.'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Engage with our Legal and IT teams to understand our current AI governance framework.
• Next 6 months: Commission an ethical review of our existing and planned AI deployments in EHSQ.
• Next 12 months: Develop and implement enterprise-wide guidelines for ethical AI use in EHSQ, including data privacy and bias mitigation.
• Month 18: Present a report to the Board on our approach to digital ethics in EHSQ and its alignment with corporate values.
• QuickWin: Review the privacy impact assessments for any current or planned EHSQ technology deployments that involve worker data or AI, ensuring robust protections are in place.

Advancing Technical Skills

• Skill: Advanced Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning for EHSQ
• Why: Moving beyond reactive reporting, this is about leveraging sophisticated data science to predict incidents, identify emerging risks, and optimise resource allocation at an enterprise scale. You'll need to understand the capabilities and limitations to drive strategic investment and deployment.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Anomaly Detection', 'description': 'Using ML to spot unusual patterns in EHSQ data that could indicate emerging risks or system failures.'}, {'concept_name': 'Natural Language Processing (NLP)', 'description': 'Extracting insights from unstructured data like incident reports, near-miss descriptions, and audit comments.'}, {'concept_name': 'Prescriptive Analytics', 'description': 'Using AI to not just predict what will happen, but to recommend specific actions to prevent it.'}, {'concept_name': 'Data Lakes & Warehousing', 'description': 'Understanding the infrastructure needed to consolidate vast amounts of EHSQ data for advanced analytics.'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Engage with our Data Science team to understand their current capabilities and how they could be applied to EHSQ.
• Next 6 months: Sponsor a pilot project using predictive analytics for a high-risk EHSQ area within a business unit.
• Next 12 months: Develop an enterprise roadmap for AI-driven EHSQ, outlining key use cases, required data infrastructure, and talent needs.
• Month 18: Report to the Board on the ROI and risk reduction potential of our advanced EHSQ analytics strategy.
• QuickWin: Identify one key EHSQ challenge that could benefit from predictive insights (e.g., predicting equipment failures, identifying high-risk tasks) and initiate a proof-of-concept with internal data scientists.
• Skill: Digital Twin & Immersive Training Technologies
• Why: For high-risk operations, digital twins (virtual replicas of physical assets) and immersive technologies (VR/AR) offer unparalleled opportunities for risk assessment, scenario planning, and highly effective, safe training. You'll need to understand how these can transform our operational safety.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Digital Twin Modelling', 'description': 'Creating virtual models of facilities, processes, or equipment to simulate safety scenarios and test controls.'}, {'concept_name': 'Virtual Reality (VR) Training', 'description': 'Immersive training for hazardous tasks (e.g., confined space entry, lockout/tagout) without real-world risk.'}, {'concept_name': 'Augmented Reality (AR) for Field Operations', 'description': 'Providing real-time safety information, checklists, and hazard overlays to frontline workers via smart glasses or tablets.'}, {'concept_name': 'Human Factors Integration', 'description': 'Using these technologies to better understand human interaction with complex systems and design safer interfaces.'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Visit a leading company or research institution using digital twins or VR for safety.
• Next 6 months: Sponsor a small-scale pilot of VR safety training for a specific high-risk task.
• Next 12 months: Evaluate the potential for integrating digital twin technology into our capital projects and operational risk assessments.
• Month 18: Develop a business case for a multi-year investment in immersive EHSQ technologies, demonstrating clear safety and efficiency benefits.
• QuickWin: Explore readily available VR safety training modules for common hazards and evaluate their potential for rapid deployment in a specific business unit.

Education Requirements

• Level: Minimum
• Req: A Master's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), or a closely related field from a reputable university.
• Alts: We'll also consider candidates with an exceptional track record of 25+ years in senior EHSQ leadership roles within large, complex organisations, demonstrating equivalent strategic and academic rigour through their career progression and professional achievements.
• Level: Preferred
• Req: A PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or an MBA with a specialisation in Risk Management or Operations.
• Alts: N/A

Experience Requirements

You'll need at least 20 years of progressive experience in Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (EHSQ) roles, with a minimum of 10 years spent in senior leadership positions (Director/VP level) within a global, multi-site organisation. This must include demonstrable experience in setting and executing enterprise-wide EHSQ strategy, managing large budgets (multi-million £), and leading diverse, geographically dispersed teams (100+ individuals, including other managers and directors). We're looking for someone who has genuinely driven cultural transformation and managed significant EHSQ risks at a C-suite level.

Preferred Certifications

• Cert: NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety
• Prod: NEBOSH
• Usage: Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of UK and international health and safety management principles, which is invaluable for global operations.
• Cert: Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or equivalent
• Prod: Various (e.g., RIMS)
• Usage: Enhances your ability to integrate EHSQ risk management into the broader enterprise risk framework, a critical aspect of this C-suite role.
• Cert: Environmental Professional (EP) Certification
• Prod: Various (e.g., IEMA)
• Usage: Demonstrates advanced competency in environmental management, which is a key component of the EHSQ remit.
• Cert: Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Certification
• Prod: Various
• Usage: Shows a commitment to process optimisation and continuous improvement, which are vital for driving efficiency and effectiveness in EHSQ systems.

Recommended Activities

• Regular attendance and speaking engagements at international EHSQ conferences and industry forums to maintain thought leadership and network with peers.
• Participation in executive leadership development programmes focused on global strategy, organisational transformation, and board governance.
• Engagement with leading academic institutions or research bodies on emerging EHSQ risks and technologies.
• Mentorship of aspiring EHSQ leaders, contributing to the development of the next generation of professionals.
• Serving on industry association boards or committees to influence EHSQ policy and best practices at a broader level.

Career Progression Pathways

Entry Paths to This Role

• Path: Director of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) at a large multi-national
• Time: Typically 5-8 years at the Director level, leading a significant business unit or global function.
• Path: VP of Operations or Manufacturing with a strong EHSQ focus
• Time: Roughly 10-15 years in operations leadership, with a consistent emphasis on EHSQ excellence and a proven ability to integrate safety into operational efficiency.
• Path: Global Head of Risk Management or Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
• Time: Around 5-10 years in a senior enterprise risk management role, with a strong emphasis on integrating EHSQ risks into the broader ERM framework.

Career Progression From This Role

• Pathway: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Time: 5-10+ years as VP of EHSQ / Chief Risk & Safety Officer
• Pathway: Non-Executive Director (NED) / Board Member
• Time: Immediately or within 2-5 years of serving as VP of EHSQ / Chief Risk & Safety Officer

Long Term Vision Potential Roles

• Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Time: 5-10 years post-VP EHSQ
• Title: Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for a larger, more complex organisation
• Time: 3-7 years post-VP EHSQ
• Title: Non-Executive Director (NED) or Board Chair
• Time: Immediately or within 2-5 years post-VP EHSQ
• Title: Global EHSQ Thought Leader / Industry Advisor
• Time: 5-15 years post-VP EHSQ

How Zavmo Delivers This Role's Development

DISCOVER Phase: Skills Gap Analysis

Zavmo maps your current competencies against all requirements in this job description through conversational assessment. We evaluate your foundation skills (communication, strategic thinking), functional skills (CRM expertise, negotiation), and readiness for career progression.

Output: Personalised skills gap heat map showing strengths and priorities, estimated time to competency, neurodiversity accommodations.

DISCUSS Phase: Personalised Learning Pathway

Based on your DISCOVER results, Zavmo creates a personalised learning plan prioritised by impact: foundation skills first, then functional skills. We adapt to your learning style, pace, and neurodiversity needs (ADHD, dyslexia, autism).

Output: Week-by-week schedule, each module linked to specific job responsibilities, checkpoints and milestones.

DELIVER Phase: Conversational Learning

Learn through conversation, not boring modules. Zavmo uses 10 conversation types (Socratic dialogue, role-play, coaching, case studies) to build competence. Practice difficult QBR presentations, negotiate tough renewals, and handle churn conversations in a safe AI environment before facing real clients.

Example: "For 'Stakeholder Mapping', Zavmo will guide you through analysing a complex enterprise account, identifying key decision-makers, and building an engagement strategy."

DEMONSTRATE Phase: Competency Assessment

Zavmo automatically builds your evidence portfolio as you learn. Every conversation, practice scenario, and application example is captured and mapped to NOS performance criteria. When ready, your portfolio supports OFQUAL qualification claims and demonstrates competence to employers.

Output: Competency matrix, evidence portfolio (downloadable), qualification readiness, career progression score.