Head of Health and Safety Operating System and Governance

This role provides Group‑level leadership, direction and governance for Health, Safety, Security and Wellbeing across Smiths. Working in close partnership with Divisional Health & Safety leaders and the Group Security Lead, you will define, plan and embed global strategies, policies and operating standards. You will ensure Smiths operates a consistent, effective and data‑driven Health, Safety and Security Operating System - enabling strong divisional ownership while maintaining clear Group oversight, assurance and insight.

 

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development and evolution of Group Health, Safety, Security and Wellbeing strategies, ensuring alignment with Smiths values, risk profile and the Excellence framework.
• Translate strategy into clear priorities, roadmaps and measurable outcomes consistently adopted across Divisions.
• Partner with Divisional H&S and Security leaders to embed practical, scalable approaches while maintaining Group consistency.
• Work closely with the Group Security Lead to deliver integrated Health, Safety and Security strategies, policies and governance frameworks.
• Own and steward Group policies, minimum standards and procedures, ensuring regulatory alignment and effective governance.
• Design, optimise and govern the global Health, Safety and Security Operating System, driving standardisation and continuous improvement.
• Act as a trusted partner to Divisions, enabling capability building, best‑practice sharing and coordinated response to significant incidents.
• Provide independent Group oversight of performance, risk and assurance, contributing to Executive, ExCo and Board reporting.
• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including Divisional H&S and Security leaders, Group Excellence, HR, Legal, Risk, Sustainability, Divisional Presidents and the Executive Committee.

Education, Certification & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Health, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive progressive leadership experience in Health, Safety and/or Security roles within a complex, global organisation.
• Professional Health & Safety certification (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH, CSP, CMIOSH, OSHA or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience operating across multiple regulatory regimes and international standards.
• Credibility operating at Executive and Board level, with strong governance and risk‑management capability.

 

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website ( Careers - Smiths Group plc )

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website ( Careers - Smiths Group plc )