Job Description

Head of Safety - Submarines

Full Time – Hybrid

Derby - Raynesway

Why join Rolls-Royce?

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.

By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.

You will be responsible for providing functional leadership and direction in the management of Health, Safety, Environment within Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd (RRSL). Enabling the achievement of world class performance executed through the implementation of business and functional strategies to ensure safe operations and construction across RSSL operations.

You will develop and deliver plans in alignment with the strategic functional direction and key HSE risks. Partner senior leaders in effective HSE leadership and implementation. Provide HSE frameworks, tools, systems, governance and assurance across RRSL operations. Lead an HSE team to deliver on agreed improvement plans and be proactive in seeking out emerging issues. Identify and promote good practice. Work collaboratively with the wider business, HSE function and strategic partners, to build a sense of teamwork and common culture aligned around putting safety first.

Key Accountabilities

Develop & implement risk-based programmes of activity based on the risk profile. Ensure HSE critical controls are identified, managed (including through appropriate maintenance programmes) and effectively assured. Seek out significant business changes and ensure effective management of change is applied

Provide operational leadership for Putting Safety First through setting expectations and leading by example. Lead improvements to functional and business HSE maturity by proposing and implementing changes. Represent the organisation on functional initiatives and lead changes across the division. Engage outside the business on initiatives to optimise the programme and to understand wider applicability

Ensure good HSE governance (structure, process and content) is in place and report on the overall effectiveness of HSE governance

Maintain management system compliance and initiate improvement programmes as appropriate

Ensure robust governance in place to review all relevant incidents for effective learning. Coach senior leaders to deliver active involvement in significant investigations and incident reviews

Lead the understanding of operational HSE performance to identify improvement actions and initiatives through standard performance reports and the HSE balanced scorecard

Develop a risk-based HSE assurance programme, including compliance with legal and other requirements. Monitor progress and support business leaders to deliver their lower tier assurance plans. Interpret, communicate and review action on trends and insights. Use assurance findings to improve risk management

Identify, prioritise, agree with senior management and implement engagement plans with HSE stakeholders. Use good communications practices to support improvement and change. Maintain good relations with Regulators

Define and monitor the Infrastructure business HSE capability requirements and develop competencies and capacity to support. Identify gaps in learning solutions and work with HSE function to address them. Ensure a Infrastructure HSE Team people development plan is in place and participate with HSE functional people development activities

Key Experiences And Qualifications

Major Construction Projects experience

Nuclear experience desirable

Competent Senior Leader, capable of leading a team of competent HSE professionals

HSE Professional with 10 or more years managing others, including experience of managing major hazards

Demonstrated experience in influencing senior managers

Experienced in providing HSE advice and risk-based solutions

Have a proven track record in conventional safety, safety culture, major projects and HSE assurance and governance

Proven track record in solving complex problems and influencing others

Regional Benefits

Generous Annual Leave
Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust
Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce
Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury
Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.

To work for the Rolls-Royce Submarines business an individual has to hold a Security Check clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you do not currently already have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.

Job Category

HS & E

Posting Date

24 Jun 2026; 00:06

Posting End Date

07 Jul 2026

Head of Safety - Submarines

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