UK

United Kingdom · Compliance, quality and safety · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director, Global Occupational Health

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Direct reports5-10 reports
  • Reports toVP, Health & Safety (or Chief Operating Officer)
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Head of Global Occupational Health · VP, Health & Wellbeing (Occupational Health) · Global Occupational Health Lead · Director of Corporate Health Services

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in what real qualifications cover

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management Qualifi Ltd · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute · Level 5 · covers 3 of 10 standards
City & Guilds Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice City & Guilds Limited · Level 6 · covers 1 of 10 standards
NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice NOCN · Level 6 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership
Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in an Engineering Environment NOCN Level 5 Diploma in Computer Engineering (Information Technology and Data Science)
Organisational health and safety strategy City & Guilds Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice
Develop and Implement Health and Safety Review Systems NOCN Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Change Fluency taking people through change
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director, Global Occupational Health

5 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being Qualifi Ltd · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  2. Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility Chartered Management Institute · covers 3 of 10 standards Level 5
  3. Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in an Engineering Environment NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
  4. Organisational health and safety strategy City & Guilds Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 6
  5. Develop and Implement Health and Safety Review Systems NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 6
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director, Global Occupational Health?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • Global Health Tech Integration & Digital Transformation
  • Climate Change & Environmental Health Impact Assessment
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director, Global Occupational Health plan as you set up, starting with the free Emotional Intelligence module. No card.

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Keep this read. One email with what AI is changing in this job, the new skills it asks for and where to start free. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

3What this role really is

A director of global occupational health sets the strategy for keeping a workforce safe and healthy across every country it operates in.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Cority / Enablon / Intelex (EHS/OHS Platform) Strategic

Leading platform selection, overseeing global implementation, defining data governance, and integrating with other enterprise systems (HRIS, ERP). You'll be the ultimate owner of the platform's strategic direction and value.

Cohort / Systoc / Epic (Occupational Health Module) Architect

Governing global data retention policies, ensuring system meets all international data privacy laws (GDPR, HIPAA, local equivalents), and managing key vendor relationships at a strategic level. You're responsible for the integrity and compliance of all medical records globally.

Power BI / Tableau (Data & Analytics) Strategic

Defining the key health metrics for executive dashboards, interpreting global trends, and presenting data-driven business cases for new wellness initiatives to the C-suite. You'll be using these tools to tell the story of our global health performance.

International SOS / Healix (Travel Health/Risk) Strategic

Setting global travel health policy, negotiating enterprise contracts with providers, and integrating the platform with corporate security functions to ensure comprehensive risk management for our travelling workforce. You'll own the overall strategy for keeping our global travellers safe.

MS Teams, SharePoint, Smartsheet (Collaboration Suite) Strategic

Establishing the global information architecture for all health and safety documentation and reporting, ensuring seamless collaboration across international teams, and driving efficiency in global programme management. You'll be designing how we work together.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Global Health Strategy & Policy No involvement. Provides input on local operational challenges to inform policy. Leads the development of specific health programmes within a policy framework, makes recommendations for policy updates.
Budget Allocation & Investment No budget authority, helps track programme expenses. Proposes small-scale programme expenses (e.g., £1K-£5K) for local initiatives. Manages budget for specific health programmes (£5K-£50K), makes recommendations for larger investments.
Global Technology Selection Uses existing systems, reports bugs. Provides feedback on system usability, suggests minor enhancements. Evaluates new features, participates in pilot programmes, contributes to requirements gathering.
Team Hiring & Organisational Design No involvement. Participates in interviews for junior roles. Interviews and provides input on hiring for individual contributor roles, mentors junior staff.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Global DART Rate Reduction
Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred work rate across all global operations.
Target · Achieve a 10-15% year-on-year reduction in the global DART rate.

If last year's global DART rate was 0.8, we'd expect it to be 0.72 or lower this year, showing our preventative programmes are working.

Workers' Compensation Premium Reduction
The overall cost of our workers' compensation claims and associated insurance premiums.
Target · Reduce annual workers' compensation premiums by 5-8% through proactive health management.

If our premiums were £5M last year, we're aiming for £4.6M-£4.75M this year, directly attributable to fewer claims and better risk management.

Health Programme ROI (Return on Investment)
The measurable financial benefit of specific health and wellbeing programmes (e.g., ergonomics, mental health support) against their cost.
Target · Demonstrate a positive ROI (e.g., 2:1 or higher) for at least two major global health initiatives annually.

A global ergonomics programme costing £500K might save £1.2M in MSD-related claims and lost productivity, showing a 2.4:1 ROI.

Global Health Surveillance Compliance Rate
The percentage of eligible employees participating in and completing required health surveillance programmes (e.g., audiometry, spirometry).
Target · Maintain 98%+ compliance for all mandatory global health surveillance programmes.

Out of 10,000 employees requiring audiometry, 9,850 completed it on time, giving us 98.5% compliance—that's what we're looking for.

Strategic Influence & Board Engagement
How effectively you shape the executive and board-level understanding and investment in occupational health.
  • You're regularly presenting to the C-Suite and Board on health strategy and performance. Your recommendations for major health investments are typically approved. You're seen as the go-to expert for health-related strategic discussions, not just operational issues.
Global Standardisation & Local Adaptation
The balance and effectiveness of global health policies and their practical application in diverse local contexts.
  • Regional teams consistently apply global health standards, but with documented, sensible local adaptations. External audits consistently show high compliance across different regions. There's clear, positive feedback from regional leaders about the applicability of global policies.
Team Leadership & Development
Your ability to build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing global occupational health team.
  • Your direct reports show strong engagement and career progression. You've successfully recruited and retained top talent in key regions. Your team is seen as a trusted partner by business units, not just a compliance function.
Proactive Risk Anticipation
Identifying and mitigating emerging global health risks before they become major issues.
  • You've successfully implemented programmes to address new health threats (e.g., mental health, long-COVID support, climate change impacts) well before they become widespread problems. You're regularly sharing insights on future health trends with leadership.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Driving Tangible Global Impact

You'll be excited by seeing a reduction in injury rates across a continent, or a successful mental health programme launch in multiple countries. Knowing your decisions improve the lives of thousands of employees worldwide is a huge driver.

Successfully implementing a new global travel health policy that significantly reduces medical incidents for our international staff.

Shaping Organisational Strategy

You'll thrive on presenting your vision to the C-suite, getting their buy-in, and seeing your health strategy integrated into the broader business objectives. You want to be at the table where big decisions are made.

Convincing the board to invest an additional £1M into preventative health programmes based on your compelling business case.

Building and Developing High-Performing Teams

You'll enjoy mentoring your regional managers, helping them grow, and seeing your global team collaborate effectively to solve complex problems. You get satisfaction from empowering others.

A regional manager you've coached successfully launches a new health initiative in their territory, exceeding targets.

What frustrates people
  • Getting global alignment on a policy when different regions have wildly different legal frameworks and cultural norms.
  • The constant battle to secure budget for preventative health programmes, where ROI can be harder to quantify in the short term.
  • Dealing with business leaders who see occupational health as a 'cost centre' rather than a strategic investment in human capital.
  • The sheer complexity of managing health data privacy across dozens of jurisdictions (GDPR, HIPAA, local laws, etc.).
  • Inheriting fragmented health systems and data 'graveyards' from acquisitions, making global trend analysis a nightmare.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable routine with minimal stakeholder management.
  • The ability to make decisions in a vacuum without needing to build consensus.
  • A purely technical role focused solely on individual case management.
  • Instant gratification from seeing every initiative immediately succeed without resistance.

8Who you work with

This role directly influences the health, safety, and wellbeing of our entire global workforce. Your decisions shape our corporate culture around health, impact our operational efficiency by reducing absenteeism and presenteeism, and significantly mitigate legal, financial, and reputational risks. You'll be driving long-term strategic value, not just managing day-to-day issues.

Inside the business
  • C-Suite (CEO, COO, CHRO)
  • Regional Business Unit Heads
  • Legal & Compliance
  • HR Leadership (Talent, Benefits, HRBPs)
  • Operations & Manufacturing Directors
  • Finance Leadership
Outside the business
  • Governmental Health & Safety Regulators (HSE, OSHA, local equivalents)
  • Occupational Health Service Providers & Vendors
  • Industry Associations & Professional Bodies
  • Insurance Providers & Underwriters
  • External Auditors

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Extensive (16+ years) experience leading occupational health functions, ideally in a complex, multi-national organisation.
  • Proven track record of managing significant budgets (multi-million £) and delivering measurable ROI on health initiatives.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence and gain buy-in from C-suite and board-level stakeholders on strategic health matters.
  • Deep expertise in global health regulations, data privacy laws, and best practices across diverse jurisdictions.
  • Experience in managing and developing a geographically dispersed team of health professionals.
  • A strong understanding of human resources principles and how occupational health integrates with broader HR strategy.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Predictive Modelling for Health Outcomes

Moving beyond reactive reporting, we'll use sophisticated statistical and machine learning models to predict injury hotspots, identify employees at risk of chronic conditions, or forecast absenteeism trends. This allows for truly proactive, personalised interventions.

Machine learning algorithms (e.g., regression, classification) · Feature engineering for health data · Model interpretability and bias · Ethical considerations in predictive health

  • This quarter: Read up on 'explainable AI' (XAI) and its application in healthcare.
  • Next 6 months: Commission a pilot project with your data analytics team to build a predictive model for a specific health outcome (e.g., MSD risk in a particular department).
  • Next 12 months: Develop a governance framework for the ethical use of predictive health analytics within the organisation.
  • Ongoing: Regularly review academic literature and industry reports on advancements in health analytics.

Quick win: Challenge your data team to move beyond descriptive analytics ('what happened') to predictive ('what might happen') in your next quarterly report. Ask them to identify one area where a simple predictive model could add value.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend global occupational health and safety conferences (e.g., ICOH, AIHA, NSC) to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.
  • Participate in executive leadership development programmes focused on global strategy, change management, and cross-cultural leadership.
  • Engage with industry working groups or professional bodies to influence best practices and regulatory developments.
  • Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) in areas like data analytics, AI in health, or advanced toxicology to maintain cutting-edge knowledge.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Global Health Tech Integration & Digital Transformation

The rapid advancement of health technology (wearables, remote diagnostics, AI-powered platforms) means we can collect and analyse health data in unprecedented ways. Integrating these disparate systems and making sense of the data will be critical for proactive health management.

  • Interoperability standards (e.g., FHIR)
  • Data harmonisation and normalisation
  • Ethical AI in health data
  • Cloud-based EHS/OHS architecture

Climate Change & Environmental Health Impact Assessment

Climate change isn't just an environmental issue; it's a significant occupational health risk. Extreme weather, air quality degradation, and new vector-borne diseases will increasingly impact our workforce. Leaders need to understand and plan for these health consequences.

  • Heat stress management strategies
  • Air quality monitoring and protection
  • Psychological impacts of climate anxiety
  • Supply chain health resilience

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Global Health Risk Assessment & Management
  • Enterprise Case Management & RTW Programme Design
  • Global Health Surveillance Programme Architecture
  • Industrial Hygiene & Toxicology Principles (Strategic Application)
  • Medical Causation Analysis & Expert Opinion

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Regional Occupational Health Manager (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Managing multi-site/country OH operations, leading a team of OH professionals, managing significant regional budgets, influencing regional business unit leaders, and adapting global policies to local contexts.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently exceeding regional health performance targets (e.g., DART rate reduction, compliance rates).
    • Successfully leading a major regional health programme rollout from conception to completion.
    • Strong positive feedback from direct reports and regional business leaders on your leadership and influence.
    • Demonstrated ability to manage complex health crises or regulatory challenges within your region.
  2. 2

    Head of Occupational Health (Large Single Country / Business Unit) (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Developing and executing a comprehensive OH strategy for a large, complex country or business unit, managing a substantial budget, building relationships with national regulators, and reporting directly to senior country/BU leadership.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully transformed OH performance within your country/BU, demonstrating clear improvements in key metrics.
    • Built a highly effective and respected OH team, with strong talent development.
    • Proven ability to navigate complex national regulatory landscapes and manage significant compliance risks.
    • Consistently sought out by country/BU leadership for strategic health advice and input.
  3. 3

    Global Programme Lead (e.g., Global Ergonomics Lead, Global Mental Health Lead) (L4/L5)

    4-6 years

    Skills to master

    • Designing and implementing specific health programmes on a global scale, managing cross-functional project teams, developing global standards for a particular health domain, and influencing adoption across diverse regions without direct authority over all implementers.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully rolled out a major global health programme (e.g., a new ergonomics standard) with high adoption rates and measurable impact.
    • Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate effectively with regional teams and senior stakeholders.
    • Recognised as a leading expert in your specific health domain within the organisation and potentially externally.
    • Proven ability to manage the complexities of global implementation, including cultural and regulatory variations.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to chief health and safety officer, or into wider operational leadership such as chief operating officer.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director, Global Occupational Health is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

The record names a next step, but the catalogue has no page for it yet:

  • VP, Health & Safety / Chief Health Officer (L7)

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being, worked against Director, Global Occupational Health.

Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being Level 7

Applied to your work in Director, Global Occupational Health

1. To enable the learner to critically evaluate existing organisational strategies and policies concerning integrated health, well-being, and safety, incorporating relevant legal and regulatory compliance. 2. To enable the learner to comprehensively analyse the diverse occupational health and well-being issues impacting employee welfare, organisational reputation, and identifying associated threats. 3. To enable the learner to determine organisational adherence to risk assessment principles and develop robust strategies for engagement and improvement in occupational health and well-being. 4. To enable the learner to effectively promote and engage stakeholders at all organisational levels to ensure the successful implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health and well-being strategies. 5. To enable the learner to outline time-bound measurements for strategic changes and improvements, demonstrating the full range of benefits across individuals, groups, and the wider organisation. 6. To enable the learner to cultivate and assess stakeholder understanding, commitment, and critical reflection towards established health and well-being objectives.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director, Global Occupational Health
  • Global Health Risk Assessment & Management
  • Enterprise Case Management & RTW Programme Design
  • Global Health Surveillance Programme Architecture
  • Industrial Hygiene & Toxicology Principles (Strategic Application)
  • Medical Causation Analysis & Expert Opinion
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director, Global Occupational Health is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP, Health & Safety / Chief Health Officer (L7)

    3-5 years

    Enterprise-wide strategic leadership, Board accountability, P&L £10M+

    • Strategic oversight of all EHS disciplines (safety, environmental, occupational health).
    • Advanced crisis management at an enterprise level, including public relations and legal implications.
    • M&A due diligence and integration for health and safety aspects.
    • Industry thought leadership and external advocacy.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be honest, at the Director level, your time is precious. You're thinking strategically, not getting bogged down in manual tasks. Our AI productivity hub isn't just for junior staff; it's designed to give you back valuable hours every week, letting you focus on what truly matters: shaping our global health future.

Imagine having a suite of intelligent assistants that handle the heavy lifting of data analysis, regulatory monitoring, and even drafting strategic documents. That's the reality we're building. You'll use AI to gain deeper insights, make faster decisions, and ensure your global programmes are always ahead of the curve. This isn't about replacing your expertise; it's about amplifying it.

Predictive Health Analytics

AI will analyse vast, anonymised global health datasets (incident reports, health surveillance results, absence data) to predict emerging health risks or regional hotspots. You'll get early warnings about potential outbreaks, ergonomic issues, or mental health trends, allowing you to deploy preventative measures before they escalate into major crises. Think of it as a crystal ball for global health.

Global Regulatory Horizon Scanning

Instead of your team manually sifting through dozens of government websites, AI continuously monitors global health and safety regulatory bodies. It flags changes relevant to our operations, provides concise summaries of new legislation, and even offers an initial impact assessment, giving you a head start on compliance and policy updates. No more nasty surprises from a new law in Brazil or India.

Strategic Document Drafter

Need to draft a new global health policy, a board presentation on wellbeing strategy, or a business case for a multi-million-pound investment? AI can generate initial drafts, synthesising data and best practices, saving you hours of staring at a blank page. You'll then refine and add your strategic insights, turning a good draft into a brilliant one, much faster.

Vendor & Programme Performance Insights

AI can aggregate performance data from our global occupational health service providers and internal programmes. It'll identify underperforming vendors, highlight programme areas needing optimisation, and even suggest contractual improvements. This means you're always getting the best value and impact from our health investments, without tedious manual data crunching.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director, Global Occupational Health?

Common routes in include Regional Occupational Health Manager (3-5 years), Head of Occupational Health (Large Single Country / Business Unit) (3-5 years) and Global Programme Lead (e.g., Global Ergonomics Lead, Global Mental Health Lead) (L4/L5) (4-6 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director, Global Occupational Health progress to?

This role can lead on to VP, Health & Safety / Chief Health Officer (3-5 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director, Global Occupational Health?

Increasingly, Global Health Tech Integration & Digital Transformation and Climate Change & Environmental Health Impact Assessment. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

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17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in compliance, quality and safety

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Skills in global occupational health carry across sectors including pharmaceuticals, technology, manufacturing and logistics. They also apply in international organisations such as the WHO or ILO, since the strategic and global perspective is useful wherever people work.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my free Emotional Intelligence module What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.