Group Head of Safety, Health & Environment

Reporting to: Executive Director, People & Sustainability 

Role Context

With such a large workforce of people, primarily in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and an indirect workforce of several thousand more, the health and safety of our people is essential to how we deliver our ‘Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040’ strategy. This is particularly the case given the safety critical nature of the work performed by most of our colleagues and its impact in the communities we serve.

This position reports to the Executive Director People & Sustainability and is a member of the People & Sustainability Senior Leadership Team and the cross-company People Leadership Team. The incumbent is a regular attendee at the ESB Board Safety, Sustainability & Culture Committee. 

Role Purpose

The purpose of this position is to be ESB’s strategic leader on health & safety working across the organisation to shape and deliver the health & safety strategy and related programmes, compliance, capability, and culture. It partners both internally and externally to enact the strategy, establishing a coalition of support and integrating health & safety in the strategic decision making and business processes of ESB Group, business units and functions.  The role also has responsibility for environmental compliance and partners closely with the Group Sustainability centre of expertise.

Key responsibilities 

1. Lead ESB Group in the development, implementation and monitoring of ESB’s health and safety strategy promoting a culture of health & safety in line with our values and achieving adherence with relevant legislation and regulation.

2. Formulate and implement H&S best practice policies, procedures and supporting management systems in support of the H&S strategy; with a data-led approach, establish and maintain an ongoing schedule of review and improvement to ensure compliance with relevant standards, legislation and regulation and continuously improve health & safety performance. Coach decision makers to and advise on risks (incl. scenario testing) and appropriate mitigation strategies and brief stakeholders accordingly.  

3. Foster cross-team, company-wide and partner collaboration and cooperation in the implementation of the H&S strategy and adoption of agreed policies, procedures, standards, and systems.  Promote company-wide change in practices and culture, improving awareness and incorporating H&S in routine behaviours and decision-making. 

4. Lead the H&S centre of expertise (CoE) including occupational health, ensuring effective capability and resourcing of the team, creating a high impact and expert team that collaborates and advises successfully across the business.  Ensure effective operation of the SHE CoE as ESB’s second line of defence for SHE risk and compliance. Ensure effective communication and delivery across the operating model.  Support, challenge, and enable the H&S centres of competence underpinning the H&S strategy.  

5. Build organisational capabilities for H&S systems, processes, skills and leadership. Identify gaps and adopt appropriate developmental initiatives for upskilling and/or addressing them.  Establish and support communities of practice to share and disseminate knowledge and best practice. 

6. Manage stakeholders’ relationships and foster collaboration, promoting ongoing, constructive dialogue with internal and external stakeholders such as such as HSA, EPA, Local Authorities to develop impactful and transparent relationships. Work with managers and communication teams to enhance engagement on SHE across ESB. Research and brief key stakeholders including Executive Committee, ESB Board and committees on key trends, best practices, policies, and legislation.

7. Leveraging data and systems, report on the Group’s H&S progress using benchmarked KPIs in line with internal and external reporting requirements. Develop plans for maintenance of external accreditations.   

8. Partners with Group Sustainability and the business units in the development and ongoing monitoring of environmental & energy compliance and implementation of relevant policies and standards. Ensure compliance with environmental regulations as they pertain to minimum health, safety and well-being of the workforce and other stakeholders. 

9. Lead companywide safety efforts leading to improved day-to-day safety hazard prevention, increased employee safety awareness, and ultimately, moving ESB to world class safety performance and culture. 

10. Adopt and role model innovation and adaptive leadership by being comfortable with uncertainty and not having all the answers; adopt and demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset.   

Skills, knowledge & experience:  

• Communication: Experience of representing the company and a demonstrated track record in influencing at a senior level. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to confidently engage an audience up to Board level and externally. 

• Leadership: Proven ability in leading change at a business unit level, including managing a complex programme of work to deliver agreed objectives. Demonstrated leadership of a team and of collaborating with others in a matrix relationship to achieve results. 

• Capability: Strategic and systems thinking combined with the ability to translate this into actionable policies and plans. 

• Health & Safety: Strong track record in managing safety, health, and environmental programmes at a minimum at divisional or business unit level.  A passion for H&S that is evidenced in learning and action whether personally or professionally.  A good working knowledge and understanding of applicable policy, legislation, initiatives, and reporting standards as appropriate for the leadership level. 

• Environment: Understanding of environmental regulations and laws. Be competent in monitoring compliance with environmental regulations as they pertain to minimum health, safety and wellbeing of the workforce and other stakeholders. Ensure training and understanding of these regulations and best practices is undertaken. 

Qualifications  

• A Third level education (safety, environment, engineering, or other relevant discipline) is essential. 

• Certifications in safety, environment, sustainability and or social studies are highly desirable. 

Location 

This position is based in Dublin and will require regular travel to ESB locations, primarily in Ireland. 

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least one anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to policy, manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual. 

Why ESB?

• Opportunity to lead and operate on frontline of Ireland’s transition to net zero future
• Embracing & facilitating a Smart Working Future / Hybrid Working
• Career development through mentoring, and training 
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Active Social & Sports Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Generous Pension Contributions
• Access to Staff Well Being programmes
• Generous parents leave entitlements
• Great team environment working to our Core Values – Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted
• ESB has a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Programme

Closing date: 24th October 2024