UK

United Kingdom · Property and facilities · Director/VP (16-20 years)

International Health and Safety Director

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 reports3-8 reports
  • Reports toChief Operating Officer (COO)
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as Global Health & Safety Lead · Head of H&S (Real Estate Portfolio) · Director of EHS (Facilities Management) · VP, Health & Safety (International Operations)

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute · Level 5 · covers 5 of 10 standards
IWFM Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management · Level 4 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ProQual Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Management ProQual Awarding Body · Level 4 · covers 1 of 10 standards
Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management Qualifi Ltd · Level 7 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ABBE Level 6 Diploma in Building Surveying and Housing Management Awarding Body for the Built Environment · Level 6 · covers 2 of 10 standards

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

The units you would start with

Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility CMI Level 5 NVQ Diploma in Management and Leadership
Implement health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures IWFM Level 4 Diploma in Facilities Management Practice
Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management
Understand the health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures in housing management ABBE Level 6 Diploma in Building Surveying and Housing Management
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)

The future skills this job leans on

Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Trust Fluency keeping the digital world safe
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Your Plan Illustration

Built for International Health and Safety Director

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

  1. Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility Chartered Management Institute · covers 5 of 10 standards Level 5
  2. Implement health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 4
  3. Strategic Commitment to Health and Well-Being Qualifi Ltd · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 7
  4. Understand the health and safety and environmental facilities management procedures in housing management Awarding Body for the Built Environment · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 6
  5. Maintain Systems and Processes for Health, Safety, Welfare and Environmental Protection in an Engineering Environment NOCN · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 5
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 an International Health and Safety Director?

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

  • ESG Integration & Reporting (Social Pillar)
  • Psychological Safety & Mental Wellbeing Programme Design
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 International Health and Safety Director plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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3What this role really is

This role sets the standard for health and safety across every country a property portfolio operates in. It means building the framework, making sure people understand it, and preventing serious harm across a wide range of sites. The work shapes how an organisation behaves on a global scale.

4What you'd actually use

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

Intelex, Cority, Enablon, or Sphera (EHS Management Platform) Strategic

Leading platform selection/procurement, directing global implementation, architecting data integration with other enterprise systems (e.g., HR, ERP). You're the one making sure it works for everyone, everywhere.

iAuditor (by SafetyCulture) or GoCanvas (Field Audit & Inspection) Strategic

Setting the global audit strategy, determining frequency and focus based on risk profiling, and ensuring regional teams use these tools effectively to gather actionable data.

Avetta, ISNetworld, or Browz (Contractor Prequalification) Strategic

Setting the global contractor safety standard, negotiating enterprise agreements with platform vendors, and ensuring consistent application across all regions to manage supply chain risk.

Power BI or Tableau (Data Analytics & BI) Strategic

Defining the key H&S KPIs for executive and board dashboards, integrating safety data with financial/operational data, and using these insights to drive global strategic decisions.

Siemens Desigo, Johnson Controls Metasys, or Schneider Electric EcoStruxure (BMS) Strategic

Consulting on BMS specifications for new builds/retrofits to ensure safety compliance, data accessibility for H&S monitoring, and integration with EHS platforms.

ServiceNow GRC or Archer GRC Suite (GRC & Enterprise Risk) Advanced/Strategic

Owning the H&S module within the corporate GRC platform, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk frameworks, and reporting H&S risks and performance to the board via the system.

Diligent Boards or Nasdaq Boardvantage (Board Reporting) Intermediate

Preparing and uploading H&S committee materials, including incident reports, strategic updates, and risk assessments, for board consumption. You'll ensure the board has the right information.

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 H&S Policy & Standard Setting N/A N/A N/A
Enterprise EHS Platform Selection N/A N/A N/A
Major Incident Response & Global Communication N/A N/A N/A
Global H&S Budget Allocation N/A N/A N/A
Hiring & Performance Management for Regional H&S Managers N/A N/A N/A

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 Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR)
The number of lost time injuries per 100 employees across the entire international portfolio.
Target · Achieve a 10% year-over-year reduction for the global portfolio.

If last year's global LTIR was 0.8, your target for this year would be 0.72 or lower. This is a big one, everyone watches it.

ISO 45001 Certification Coverage
The percentage of our operational sites or regions that have achieved and maintained ISO 45001 certification.
Target · Increase certified coverage by 15% annually, aiming for 80% within 3 years.

If 50% of our sites are currently certified, your goal is to get that to 65% by year-end, which means a lot of planning and support for regional teams.

Global Contractor Safety Performance
Incident rates (LTIR/TRIR) specifically for contractors working on our sites, often tracked via pre-qualification platforms.
Target · Reduce contractor-related LTIR by 12% year-over-year.

We'll be looking at whether our enhanced contractor onboarding and monitoring programmes are actually making a difference to their safety record on our properties.

H&S Audit Compliance Score
Average score from internal and external H&S audits across all international properties, measuring adherence to global standards.
Target · Maintain an average score of 90%+ across all global audits.

If a region consistently scores below 85%, you'll be expected to understand why and put a plan in place to fix it, working with the regional H&S managers.

Executive & Board Engagement on Safety
How effectively you engage senior leadership and the Board on H&S strategy, risks, and performance.
  • Regular, proactive invitations to present to the Board Audit & Risk Committee
  • C-suite actively seeking your input on strategic projects
  • positive feedback from executive peers on your ability to frame H&S in business terms. They'll be asking for your opinion, not just reports.
Global H&S Culture Maturity
The perceived maturity and effectiveness of our safety culture across the organisation, moving beyond mere compliance.
  • Improvements in results from global safety culture surveys (e.g., 15% improvement over 2 years)
  • increased proactive reporting of near misses and hazards from frontline staff
  • anecdotal evidence from site visits showing genuine safety ownership, not just 'safety for the audit'.
Strategic Programme Implementation
The successful design and deployment of global H&S initiatives, such as a new enterprise EHS platform or a revised global 'Golden Rules' programme.
  • On-time and within-budget delivery of global H&S projects
  • high adoption rates of new systems/programmes in target regions
  • positive feedback from regional H&S leads on the support and clarity of global initiatives. Did it actually work on the ground?
Regulatory Foresight & Preparedness
Your ability to anticipate upcoming regulatory changes globally and ensure the organisation is prepared, avoiding surprises.
  • Proactive communication to regional teams about impending legal changes
  • no significant non-compliance fines or legal actions due to unforeseen regulatory shifts
  • evidence of strategic planning to adapt our global standards before new laws come into effect.

7Would you like it

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

What people enjoy
Protecting People & Reputation

You're driven by the fundamental desire to send every employee home safely at the end of the day. This shows up in your relentless pursuit of better controls, your insistence on thorough investigations, and your commitment to a strong safety culture.

Spending late nights reviewing a new global contractor safety standard, knowing it will directly reduce the chance of someone getting hurt on one of our sites.

Strategic Impact & Global Influence

You thrive on shaping enterprise-wide policy and seeing your strategic vision translate into tangible improvements across diverse international operations. You want to be the one defining 'how we do safety' for a large, complex organisation.

Leading the selection and implementation of a new global EHS management platform, knowing it will standardise data and improve decision-making for years to come.

Problem Solving at Scale

You enjoy dissecting complex, multi-faceted safety challenges – like harmonising conflicting regulations across 15 countries – and designing elegant, workable solutions that have broad application.

Developing a 'Golden Rules' programme that is culturally sensitive and legally compliant in every region, yet still impactful and easy for frontline staff to understand.

What frustrates people
  • The constant 'Safety vs. Operations' battle, where safety is often seen as a hindrance to productivity.
  • Trying to harmonise wildly different legal requirements and cultural attitudes towards safety across multiple countries.
  • The political challenges of getting buy-in and consistent application of global standards from regional leaders.
  • Leading detailed investigations only to see the business opt for 'quick fixes' instead of addressing root causes.
  • Dealing with the 'Paperwork Avalanche' – contractor pre-qualification, RAMS, permits – much of which can feel like a bureaucratic burden.
What this role does not give you
  • A quiet, predictable 9-to-5 job with minimal travel.
  • Direct control over operational teams or budgets; you'll influence, not command.
  • A role where every single safety recommendation is immediately adopted and funded.
  • An environment free from political challenges or conflicting priorities.
  • A role focused solely on technical safety without significant leadership and influencing responsibilities.

8Who you work with

This role directly impacts the organisation's ability to operate legally, ethically, and profitably across all international markets. You're safeguarding our people, our reputation, and our bottom line. Your decisions directly influence our risk profile, insurance costs, and ultimately, our licence to operate in various jurisdictions. A strong H&S programme, driven by this role, underpins business continuity and investor confidence.

Inside the business
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • Regional Managing Directors
  • Heads of Facilities Management
  • Legal Counsel (Global and Regional)
  • HR Director (Global)
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Board Audit & Risk Committee
Outside the business
  • Regulatory bodies (e.g., HSE, OSHA, local equivalents)
  • Insurance providers and brokers
  • External auditors (e.g., ISO 45001 certification bodies)
  • Key global contractors and suppliers
  • Industry associations and peer groups

9What you need before you start

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

  • Extensive experience (15+ years) in a senior health and safety leadership role within a large, complex, and ideally international, real estate or facilities management organisation.
  • Proven track record of designing, implementing, and managing enterprise-wide H&S management systems (e.g., ISO 45001) across multiple geographies.
  • Demonstrable experience in managing and influencing senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives and board members, on H&S strategy and performance.
  • Significant experience leading and developing a team of H&S professionals, including regional managers.
  • Expertise in global regulatory compliance and the ability to interpret and apply diverse international H&S legislation.
  • Strong financial acumen, including experience managing large departmental budgets and understanding the financial impact of H&S decisions.

10What to practise next

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

Advanced Predictive Analytics for Risk Forecasting

Critical within 12 months. Moving beyond lagging indicators to truly predict where and when incidents are likely to occur. This means using machine learning to analyse vast datasets (incident reports, audit findings, maintenance logs, weather data, contractor performance) to identify patterns and 'hot spots' for proactive intervention.

Machine learning basics (regression, classification) · Data normalisation and feature engineering · Anomaly detection in safety data · Ethical considerations in AI for H&S · Model validation and interpretation

  • This quarter: Engage with our data science or analytics team to understand their current capabilities and how they might apply to H&S data.
  • Next 3 months: Explore online courses (e.g., Coursera, edX) on 'Introduction to Machine Learning' or 'Predictive Analytics for Business'.
  • Next 6 months: Pilot a small predictive risk project with a regional team, using existing data to identify a specific risk area.
  • Next 12 months: Develop a business case for integrating predictive analytics capabilities into our global EHS platform roadmap, outlining ROI and implementation challenges.

Quick win: Work with your regional H&S managers to identify one or two 'high-risk' property types or activities where current data suggests a pattern. Start thinking about what other data points might help predict incidents there.

Digital Transformation of Safety Systems (IoT, Wearables, Drones)

Important within 18 months. The physical world of facilities management is becoming increasingly connected. Integrating data from IoT sensors, wearable safety devices, and drone inspections offers unprecedented real-time visibility into hazards and compliance, but it requires a strategic approach to adoption and data management.

IoT sensor applications in facilities (e.g., air quality, confined space entry) · Wearable technology for worker safety (e.g., fall detection, proximity alerts) · Drone inspection capabilities (e.g., roof inspections, structural integrity) · Data privacy and cybersecurity for connected safety devices · Integration of digital tools with EHS platforms

  • This quarter: Research current trends and case studies of IoT and wearable tech in facilities management safety.
  • Next 3 months: Arrange demonstrations with vendors offering these technologies to understand their capabilities and limitations.
  • Next 6 months: Identify one or two pilot projects in a specific region where a digital safety tool could address a persistent high-risk issue.
  • Next 12 months: Develop a strategic roadmap for the phased adoption of relevant digital safety technologies across our global portfolio, including cost-benefit analysis and change management.

Quick win: Identify one 'high-risk' manual inspection task (e.g., roof checks) that could be safely and efficiently done by a drone. Explore a small pilot with a trusted contractor.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attend international H&S conferences and industry forums (e.g., NSC Congress, IOSH conferences) to stay abreast of emerging trends and network with peers.
  • Participate in executive leadership programmes focused on global strategy, risk management, or organisational change.
  • Engage with industry working groups or committees to influence H&S best practices in the real estate sector.
  • Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain professional certifications and expand knowledge in areas like ESG, AI in safety, or psychological safety.

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.

ESG Integration & Reporting (Social Pillar)

Critical within 12 months. Investors, regulators, and customers are increasingly demanding robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. The 'Social' pillar heavily relies on strong health and safety metrics and a transparent safety culture. This isn't just a 'nice to have' anymore; it's a core business imperative for reputation and funding.

  • SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) standards
  • GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards
  • TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures)
  • Stakeholder capitalism
  • Double materiality

Psychological Safety & Mental Wellbeing Programme Design

Critical within 6 months. There's a growing recognition that physical safety isn't enough; mental health and psychological safety are equally important for employee wellbeing and productivity. This is moving from a 'HR issue' to a core H&S responsibility, especially in diverse international workforces.

  • Amy Edmondson's Psychological Safety framework
  • Stress risk assessments (e.g., HSE Management Standards)
  • Trauma-informed incident response
  • Wellbeing programme integration
  • Burnout prevention strategies

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems)
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Hierarchy of Controls
  • Management of Change (MOC)
  • Global Regulatory Analysis & Interpretation
  • Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)

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

    Senior Regional / Divisional H&S Manager (L5)

    3-5 years

    Skills to master

    • Mastering multi-regional H&S programme implementation, managing significant budgets, influencing senior regional operational leaders, and developing a strong team of H&S advisors. You'll have owned a large piece of the H&S puzzle.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a major H&S initiative across multiple countries or a large division.
    • Consistently achieved regional H&S performance targets and improved culture.
    • Demonstrated strong leadership and development of a H&S team.
    • Proven ability to present complex H&S issues to divisional leadership and gain buy-in.
  2. 2

    Head of H&S for a Large National/Global Organisation (outside Real Estate FM)

    4-6 years

    Skills to master

    • Adapting your global H&S leadership experience from another complex industry (e.g., manufacturing, logistics) to the unique challenges of real estate and facilities management. This means quickly understanding property-specific risks and regulatory landscapes.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully led a global H&S function in a different sector, demonstrating transferable strategic and leadership skills.
    • Deep understanding of H&S management systems (e.g., ISO 45001) and global regulatory compliance.
    • Proven ability to quickly learn and adapt to new industry-specific risks and operational contexts.
    • Strong network within the broader H&S community, showing a commitment to continuous learning.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This work can lead to a Chief Operating Officer role overseeing all business operations. It can also lead to a Chief Risk Officer role covering the full range of enterprise risk. Another path is a Global Head of ESG and Sustainability role, leading the environmental, social and governance agenda.

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 International Health and Safety Director is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

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 Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility, worked against International Health and Safety Director.

Manage Health and Safety in own area of responsibility Level 5

Applied to your work in International Health and Safety Director

This unit aims to enable learners to understand and manage health and safety within their own area of responsibility. Learners will gain knowledge of legal responsibilities, risk assessment, and risk minimisation strategies to promote a safe working environment.

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.

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See Your Progress Grow Illustration
International Health and Safety Director
  • ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems)
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
  • Hierarchy of Controls
  • Management of Change (MOC)
  • Global Regulatory Analysis & Interpretation
  • Behavior-Based Safety (BBS)
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

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

  1. Global Head of EHS / Chief Risk & Safety Officer (L7)

    3-5 years

    1 level (from L6 to L7)

    • Advanced Environmental Management (e.g., ISO 14001) Taking on responsibility for global environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives.
    • Crisis Communications (Executive Level) Managing public and media relations during significant enterprise-level incidents.
    • M&A Due Diligence (EHS) Leading the EHS due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, assessing risks and integration challenges.
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, a lot of what we do in Health & Safety involves sifting through documents, analysing data, and drafting communications. AI isn't here to replace you, but it can certainly take the grunt work off your plate, freeing you up for the strategic stuff that truly matters. Imagine having more time to actually visit sites or coach your regional managers.

For an International Health and Safety Director, AI means less time buried in regulatory updates and more time shaping global strategy. You'll use these tools to gain insights faster, automate routine checks, and communicate more effectively across time zones and languages. This isn't just theory; it's about practical, day-to-day gains.

Automated RAMS Review

Use AI to instantly scan contractor Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for completeness, checking for required signatures, insurance validity, and the inclusion of key risk controls. This happens before a human even needs to look, flagging only the exceptions. It's a huge time saver for global contractor management.

Predictive Risk Hot-Spotting

AI will analyse thousands of past incident reports, near misses, and audit findings, correlating them with factors like property type, age, and contractor involvement. This helps us predict which sites or regions are at the highest risk of a future incident, allowing you to proactively intervene with targeted support, rather than just reacting.

Global Legislation Summariser

Imagine an LLM monitoring and providing weekly, plain-language summaries of changes to H&S legislation in the 30+ countries we operate in. It'll highlight specific impacts on our corporate standards and procedures, saving you and your legal team countless hours of research. No more sifting through obscure legal texts yourself.

Instant Incident Alert Drafting

An AI assistant drafts initial safety alerts and communications based on the structured data from an incident report. It can generate a concise summary for executives, a detailed alert for peer facilities managers, and even a script for a toolbox talk in minutes. This speeds up critical communication during a crisis.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become an International Health and Safety Director?

Common routes in include Senior Regional / Divisional H&S Manager (3-5 years) and Head of H&S for a Large National/Global Organisation (outside Real Estate FM) (4-6 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can an International Health and Safety Director progress to?

This role can lead on to Global Head of EHS / Chief Risk & Safety Officer (3-5 years), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for an International Health and Safety Director?

Increasingly, ESG Integration & Reporting (Social Pillar) and Psychological Safety & Mental Wellbeing Programme Design. 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.
This job at other levels
More jobs in property and facilities

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

Skills in global risk management, regulatory compliance and large scale operational safety carry across other asset heavy industries. This includes manufacturing, logistics, energy and large scale retail, where managing complex physical environments and diverse workforces matters just as much.

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 plan, free 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.