Global Head of Risk, Health & Safety

Global Head of Risk, Health & Safety

Location: Flexible – Brighton / London offices with UK & international travel
Contract: Initial 9-month fixed-term appointment, with potential to become permanent

We are seeking an experienced Global Head of Risk, Safety & Resilience to establish and lead a new Enterprise Protection function across a growing international organisation.

This is a unique opportunity for a senior Health & Safety, Risk, Governance or Resilience professional who is equally comfortable working at strategic, executive and operational level.

You will take ownership of developing and implementing a comprehensive Enterprise Protection Framework, providing assurance to the Executive Team and Board while also being hands-on with operational delivery across UK and international locations, events and operations.

As an initial standalone position, this role will suit someone who enjoys building something from the ground up, working independently and turning strategic frameworks into practical, measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement and embed the organisation's Enterprise Protection Framework.

• Develop and lead the Global Risk, Safety & Resilience Strategy.

• Establish Health & Safety governance frameworks, corporate standards and policies.

• Maintain enterprise risk registers and legal compliance registers across multiple jurisdictions.

• Develop Executive and Board reporting, KPIs and assurance processes.

• Carry out site inspections, operational assurance visits, audits and event-specific risk assessments.

• Review event management plans and provide venue, supplier and contractor assurance.

• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis and lessons-learned programmes.

• Develop practical guidance and procedures for operational teams.

• Establish a global training and competency framework, ensuring appropriate standards across different countries and legislative environments.

• Lead compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, including CT-VRAs, public protection procedures and emergency arrangements.

• Develop Business Continuity and Crisis Management arrangements.

• Support emergency preparedness, significant incident response and organisational resilience.

• Develop Travel Risk Management procedures.

• Provide strategic advice and assurance to senior leadership and the Board.

• Work collaboratively with operational and management teams to ensure consistent standards across international operations.

We are looking for a senior professional with a strong background in Health & Safety, Enterprise Risk, Governance and/or Organisational Resilience, who can combine strategic leadership with practical operational delivery.

Requirements: 

• NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent Level 6 Health & Safety qualification.

• Graduate or Chartered membership of IOSH or an equivalent professional body.

• Professional membership of IIRSM or equivalent.

• Significant senior leadership experience within Health & Safety, Risk, Governance or Organisational Resilience.

• Experience working across multiple legal jurisdictions.

• Experience advising Executive Teams and Boards.

• Experience conducting operational assurance within complex events or operational environments.

• Strong incident investigation and organisational learning experience.

Desirable Experience:

It would be advantageous to have:

• A degree or postgraduate qualification in Health & Safety, Risk Management, Organisational Resilience, Security Management or a related discipline.

• Fire Risk Assessor qualification or equivalent.

• Enterprise Risk, Business Continuity or Crisis Management qualifications.

• Relevant Counter Terrorism training.

We are looking for a credible, commercially aware and pragmatic senior professional who can communicate confidently with Executive and Board-level stakeholders while also being prepared to get hands-on when required.

This is an opportunity to build and shape a global function from the ground up, creating a scalable approach to risk, safety and organisational resilience that will support continued international growth.

During the initial nine months, you will be expected to establish the Enterprise Protection Framework, embed governance across international operations, implement enterprise risk management, strengthen supplier and contractor assurance and establish Executive and Board-level reporting.

If you're an experienced senior Risk, Health & Safety, Governance or Resilience professional looking for a role where you can make a genuine organisational impact, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Apply today for more information and a confidential discussion.

Please note that due to the high level of applicants we are not able to respond to unsuccessful candidates, and if you have not been contacted within seven days please assume you have not been selected on this occasion.

Zoom Recruitment Services Ltd is a specialist employment agency supplying permanent, temporary and contract staff within the Logistics, Manufacturing and Engineering sectors. We are also accredited members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and follow professional and ethical working procedures.