Head of Occupational Health & Safety

Job Description

BUSINESS FUNCTION: Safety & Environment
SALARY: £79,000 - £89,500 / Grade: Executive
ROLE TYPE: Permanent
LOCATION: York/Leeds/Manchester
HOURS: 37 per week

Safe journeys don’t happen by chance. They’re built on clear thinking, strong leadership, and a culture where doing the right thing is at the core how things are done.

As a significant voice in our Safety and Environment team at Northern, you’d take the lead in shaping how occupational health and safety works across the whole business.

This is a role with real influence – setting the direction, guiding decisions at every level, and making sure safety is part of every journey we run, every day.

You’ll work closely with the Safety and Environment Director, acting as a trusted voice and stepping in when needed. From setting strategy through embedding a safety culture and delivering day-to-day assurance, your work will help keep our people, our customers, and our communities safe.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be the driving force behind how safety is understood, managed, and improved across Northern. That includes:

• Leading the development of a clear, practical approach to risk management so safety risks are fully understood and controlled
• Embedding a proactive safety culture where people feel confident to speak up, learn, and improve
• Setting and maintaining high standards to meet all legal requirements and railway industry expectations
• Overseeing accident reporting, investigation, and claims handling to reduce impact and cost
• Building and delivering an annual health and safety plan aligned to wider business goals
• Using data, insight, and benchmarking to spot trends and drive continuous improvement
• Leading audits and assurance activities to make sure safety systems are working as intended
• Acting as a key advisor to directors, managers, and colleagues across the business
• Representing Northern with industry partners, regulators, and stakeholders
• Stepping in for the Safety and Environment Director when needed

About you

This role calls for someone who can bring clarity to complexity and confidence to decision-making.

You’ll bring strong leadership, sound judgement, and the ability to influence at every level, internally and externally. Alongside that:

• A recognised safety qualification at NEBOSH Diploma level (or equivalent) and professional membership – such as CMIOSH (Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) or equivalent
• Significant experience leading health and safety in a complex organisation
• A deep understanding of legislation, standards, and safety management systems
• Confidence in risk assessment, modelling, and turning insight into action
• Experience of leading teams and supporting others to do their best work
• The ability to balance safety, practicality, and business needs without losing sight of what matters

If you’re working towards some of these qualifications, that’s fine too – what matters is your ability to lead, influence, and make safety part of how things get done.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.

Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.

Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.

Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.

Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plugin hybrid car.

Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.

Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.

Training and Career Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications. Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.

Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people. That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.

Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B - we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We're also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.