About the role
In the Health, Safety & Environment Director role, you will lead and direct the development and continuous improvement of the regional strategy for achievement of world class health, safety, and environment (HSE) performance; in addition to delivering an industry-leading safety culture within the region. To develop and own the regional transformation plan for health, safety, and sustainability.
This role can be based at York, Derby or London.
What You'll Do:
Lead the development and delivery of the region's health, safety and environment (HSE) strategy, driving continuous improvement and alignment with business objectives. Provide expert assurance to senior leadership on legal compliance and the effective management of health, safety, environmental and social risks. Champion a strong safety culture by leading transformational change programmes, building workforce capability, and embedding consistent standards, governance and risk management practices across the region. Oversee compliance with regulatory frameworks, implement risk-based monitoring, and ensure effective investigation, learning and prevention of incidents. Act as a key advisor and representative on HSE matters, engaging with regulators, partners and stakeholders while driving improvements in workforce and passenger safety.
What You'll Have:
- Must be a member of the Institute of Occupational Health and safety (IOSH) at Chartered (CMIOSH) level or above
- Able to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act and relevant statutory provisions, including railway-specific regulations, and the company health and safety management system
- Competent in managing safety, occupational health and sustainability matters
- Proven successful experience in the strategic management of complex system risk
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to interact and maintain credibility with people at all levels across the business and industry stakeholders
- Previous successful significant experience in a senior management role
- Successful experience of leading teams in a complex, dynamic environment
- Detailed understanding of health, safety, quality, environment and sustainability, and the mitigation plans required for business benefit
- Able to demonstrate understanding of quality management systems
- Demonstrable strong influencing and leadership skills
- Demonstrable excellent report writing and presentation skills
- Able to demonstrate sound knowledge of railway industry
Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
How to apply:
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a Disability Confident Leader employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at Mark.Holt@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Click 'apply' and login to Employee Self Service to submit your CV. If you do not have an Oracle account, email your CV to iRecSupport@networkrail.co.ukquoting the IRC number of the vacancy.
Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised. If your current salary is above the maximum shown you will transfer into the new role on your current base pay. For more information refer to your pay.
This vacancy is Band 1C, salary starting £116,753 to £150,696 per annum. Plus, an inner London allowance of £3,270 per annum for London based roles.
Car Allowance: £8,000 per annum.
Closing date: 8th July 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
*Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
For more information about the vacancy please contact Iain Boardman, Safety Health & Environment Director, Eastern Region on 07354 525957.
What's in it for you
Here are a few of the benefits we offer
- 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
- Choice of pension schemes
- 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family
- Private Healthcare
- 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
- Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
- Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK
- My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount
Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information