Head of Safety and Compliance - Whitstable, England - Global Commissioning

Description

About Us
Global Commissioning are a specialised consultancy delivering world-class Commissioning Agent, Management, MEP Validation, and Specialist Electrical Services to the global data centre industry. We are experts in commissioning and optimising Hyperscale and COLO/IBX data centres, with extensive experience in process facilities, HV commissioning, and mission-critical infrastructure.

Our strength lies in collaboration, we take an integrated approach to project delivery, ensuring safety, efficiency, and performance excellence. With a proven track record in delivering complex, high-stakes projects, we are your trusted partner for data centre commissioning and operational readiness.

We operate with full tax and visa compliance in all regions where we work, ensuring seamless project execution and adherence to local regulations. With offices across EMEA, we are strategically positioned to support your business wherever you need us.

Overview
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and highly motivated Head of Safety & Compliance to lead the organisation's commitment to safe operations, regulatory excellence, and continuous improvement. This pivotal role holds overarching responsibility for the development, implementation, and governance of all safety, compliance, and accreditation frameworks across the business.

The successful candidate will oversee the full spectrum of our integrated management systems including quality, environmental, health and safety, business continuity, and information security ensuring ongoing certification to internationally recognised standards. They will play a critical role in shaping organisational behaviours, driving cultural change, and embedding best practices that safeguard our people, operations, and reputation.

As a senior leader, the Head of Safety & Compliance will work closely with directors, managers, and operational teams to proactively identify risks, enhance resilience, and maintain a robust compliance environment. This role is essential in supporting our mission to deliver exceptional service while upholding the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and governance.

Integrated Management Systems & Accreditations

• Lead, maintain, and continuously improve the company's certified management systems
• Oversee compliance with ISO standards, including: SO 9001 (Quality Management) / ISO Environmental Management) / ISO Occupational Health & Safety) / ISO Business Continuity) / ISO Information Security)
• Manage additional external accreditations such as EcoVadis, Achilles, and Cyber Essentials
• Ensure the organisation consistently meets all external assessment and accreditation requirements
• Ensure full compliance with external audits, surveillance activities, and certification standards

Health & Safety Leadership

• Serve as the organisational lead for Health & Safety
• Chair the Health & Safety Committee, ensuring strong governance and engagement across the business
• Develop and implement proactive safety strategies aligned with legislation and industry best practice
• Lead incident investigations to identify root causes and prevent recurrence
• Ensure corrective actions are identified, implemented, and effectively monitored

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure the organisation adheres to all relevant legislation, regulatory obligations, internal policies, and industry standards
• Conduct internal audits across multiple departments to verify compliance and identify opportunities for improvement
• Lead investigations into compliance concerns and drive effective corrective and preventive actions
• Maintain the relevance, accuracy, and alignment of company policies, procedures, and governance frameworks

Risk Management

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments across operational, safety, environmental, and strategic areas of the business
• Develop and maintain robust risk mitigation plans
• Provide senior leadership with clear, informed insights to support safe and effective decision-making

Education & Qualification

• Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Risk Management, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent in years of experience)
• NEBOSH National General Certificate (essential); NEBOSH Diploma or working toward it (desirable)
• Professional membership with IOSH (GradIOSH or working toward Chartered status is advantageous)

Skills & Experience

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and embed a culture of safety and accountability across the organisation
• Strong background in health & safety, compliance, or integrated management systems (essential)
• In-depth knowledge of ISO frameworks, regulatory requirements, and compliance auditing
• Experience managing multiple accreditations beyond ISO standards (highly desirable)
• Background in environmental sustainability, information security, or business continuity planning (desirable)
• Proven experience leading health & safety or multidisciplinary compliance functions
• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.