HSE Manager

SHE Manager – Highways & Infrastructure

Location: Chester – with travel to operational sites
Salary: £55,000–£65,000, dependent on experience and qualifications
Company car or car allowance | Hybrid working | Excellent pension and benefits

An established infrastructure and highways organisation is looking to appoint an experienced SHE Manager to provide leadership across its asset and maintenance operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Safety, Health and Environmental professional who enjoys working closely with operational teams and influencing standards at every level. Highways experience would be particularly attractive, although applications are also welcomed from candidates with a strong background in civil engineering, infrastructure, construction or a similarly operational environment.

The role is based in Chester and will involve regular travel to sites and operational locations. You will lead a small team while providing practical advice and support to managers, employees, clients and delivery partners.

Package and benefits

• £55,000–£65,000 salary, dependent on experience and qualifications
• Company car or car allowance
• 40-hour working week
• Pension contributions of up to 10% combined and life assurance at four times basic salary
• 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays, with a holiday purchase and selling scheme
• Hybrid working, where compatible with operational requirements
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Fully funded professional qualifications and ongoing career development
• Employee discounts covering car leasing, holidays, restaurants, cinema tickets and more

The role

As SHE Manager, you will take a visible and proactive approach to improving safety, health, wellbeing and environmental performance. You will work closely with operational leaders to ensure activities comply with legislation, company policies, management systems and relevant industry standards.

Your responsibilities will include completing site inspections and face-to-face safety conversations, supporting incident investigations and emergency response, identifying trends and lessons learned, and ensuring corrective actions are completed effectively.

You will undertake internal SHE audits against applicable ISO standards and National Highways Sector Schemes, support operational teams with their own audits and inspections, and promote best practice across the organisation. You will also contribute to the development of SHE policies, procedures, guidance, campaigns and training.

This is a role for someone who can combine technical knowledge with a practical, collaborative style—building credibility with site teams while constructively challenging and influencing senior stakeholders.

About you

You will ideally have at least five years’ management-level experience within Safety, Health and Environmental management, including auditing responsibilities. Previous experience within highways maintenance, highways construction or civil infrastructure would be highly advantageous.

You should have a strong understanding of management systems and relevant standards, including ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, together with experience of National Highways Sector Schemes. Knowledge of ISO 50001 would also be beneficial.

A relevant technical qualification at HNC level or equivalent in civil engineering, construction, building or mechanical engineering would be welcomed. Relevant professional qualifications or memberships may include a NEBOSH General Certificate, Chartered Membership of IOSH or Practitioner Membership of IEMA.

Above all, you will be an effective communicator who is comfortable engaging with operational employees, managers, clients, partners and senior leaders.

If you are an experienced SHE professional looking for a visible leadership role within highways and infrastructure, please apply with your current CV for a confidential discussion.

Relevant alternative job titles may include: Health and Safety Manager, HSE Manager, SHEQ Manager, QHSE Manager, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Highways Safety Manager, Infrastructure SHE Manager or Regional SHE Manager.