Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager

Job title: Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager
Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire / Hybrid (2-3 days per week onsite)
Job Type: Temporary Contract
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Start Date: Immediate
Duration: 12 months with possible extension
Pay Rate: Competitive

Are you ready to lead health, safety, and wellbeing strategy within one of the most ambitious clean energy programmes in the world?

We're partnering with a leading UK government-backed fusion energy organisation driving cutting-edge innovation to deliver a safe, secure and sustainable energy future. As they scale up their operations across the UK's fusion landscape, we're recruiting a Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager to play a critical role in shaping the future of safety across complex, high-impact programmes.

The Opportunity
This is not a typical HSW role. You will be at the heart of delivering world-class standards across the UK's flagship fusion programme - supporting a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary workforce operating at the forefront of energy science and engineering.

Reporting to the Business Operations Manager, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership for all matters related to health, safety and wellbeing - helping to embed a mature safety culture, ensure regulatory compliance, and influence policy across large-scale research and development projects, including the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme.

Key Responsibilities
* Develop and lead the strategic Safety, Health and Wellbeing (SHW) approach across the programme and wider function.
* Act as the primary advisor on SHW compliance, legislative updates, and risk management.
* Champion cultural change in safety behaviours, aligning with organisational values and long-term vision.
* Design and deliver structures to meet SHE capability across environment, safety, and occupational health domains.
* Lead the journey toward ISO45001 certification for a new fusion development programme.
* Identify emerging SHE risks, develop mitigation strategies, and maintain alignment with government standards and best available techniques (BAT).
* Collaborate with national and international stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, research institutions and internal SHE networks.
* Provide clear, concise reporting to programme leadership and board-level committees on all matters relating to SHW performance.

What We're Looking For
* NEBOSH Diploma (minimum) or equivalent in Occupational Health & Safety.
* Chartered status with a recognised professional body (e.g., CMIOSH or similar).
* Substantial experience in a senior health and safety leadership role within high-risk, complex, or industrial environments.
* Deep knowledge of UK H&S law and experience implementing OH&S management systems.
* A strategic thinker who can develop, communicate and implement large-scale SHW frameworks.
* Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and influence stakeholders at all levels, including regulatory and governmental entities.
* A collaborative approach with excellent interpersonal, reporting and problem-solving skills.

Why Join?
* Be part of a globally significant project that's helping redefine the future of clean energy.
* Work with some of the brightest minds in science, engineering, and technology.
* Influence the safety culture of one of the UK's most high-profile scientific missions.

Please note that applicants must live in the UK and have the right to work in the UK. VISA sponsorship is not provided.

Interested in this position? please click "apply now"
We try to respond to all applicants, but sometimes this is not possible due to high volumes of applications; if you have not heard from us within 14 days, regrettably it means you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

This vacancy is being advertised by Rullion Ltd acting as an employment business
Since 1978, Rullion has been securing exceptional candidates for a range of clients; from large well-known brands, to SMEs and start-ups. As a family-owned business, Rullion's approach is credible and honest, focused on building long-lasting relationships with both clients and candidates.

Rullion is a forward-thinking recruitment company that specialises in providing a wide range of talent consultancy services to a diverse client base; from small start-ups to large household names.
We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.

Rullion celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.