Director of HSE & Compliance

Job Description

Cobalt are working alongside a top-tier Property Consultancy who are seeking a proven HSE & Compliance Leader.

This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established organisation responsible for a prestigious mix of residential, retail, and commercial assets across the UK. The role offers the chance to lead HSE and risk strategy while enhancing compliance, governance, and safety culture across the business.

As Director of HSE & Compliance, you will lead the organisation’s health, safety, and risk management strategy across both the property portfolio and internal operations. You will act as the senior subject matter expert, guiding leadership teams, improving risk awareness, and embedding robust compliance frameworks.

Working closely with internal stakeholders, you will drive continuous improvement, oversee HSE management systems, and ensure the business is future-proofed against regulatory and operational risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the HSE & Compliance strategy across a mixed-use property portfolio
• Oversee operational and strategic risk management, identifying trends, root causes, and mitigation strategies
• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements, ISO standards (e.g. 9001, 14001, 45001), and industry best practice
• Oversee and challenge the Managing Agent to ensure high standards of HSE performance and service delivery
• Lead audits, inspections, and risk assessments, ensuring quality and consistency across the portfolio
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and embed a strong safety and compliance culture
• Develop and deliver training, guidance, and competency frameworks to improve HSE awareness across the organisation
• Lead incident investigations, reporting, and implementation of lessons learned
• Produce and present reporting, dashboards, and insights to senior leadership and board level
• Engage with regulators, consultants, and external stakeholders, acting as the organisation’s HSE & compliance lead
• Support contractor management, procurement processes, and compliance assurance across the supply chain
• Contribute to business growth by supporting consultancy-led initiatives and identifying opportunities linked to HSE and risk services

About You

• Proven experience in a senior HSE & Compliance leadership role within property, real estate, or FM
• Strong background in risk management, compliance frameworks, and HSE systems within a complex portfolio environment
• Experience implementing and managing ISO-aligned management systems
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at board level
• Experience delivering training, improving competency, and embedding safety culture
• Commercial awareness, with exposure to budgets, service delivery, or consultancy environments advantageous

Qualifications:

• NEBOSH Diploma or Level 6/7 qualification in Occupational Health & Safety (or equivalent)
• IOSH and/or IEMA membership
• Lead/Internal Auditor qualification or demonstrable experience highly desirable

If you fit the above, and boast mixed-use or residential experience, please apply ASAP as applications will close ahead of the time stated on this advert.