Head of Operational Safety, Core Production - Submarines
FULL TIME
Derby /Hybrid
Reporting to the Director Core Production and indirectly to the Director - Safety, Security and Site Licensee Authority, the CP Head of Operational Safety plays a crucial role in leading and delivering all aspects of conventional, radiological and environmental activity for Core Production.
The role is responsible for providing functional leadership and direction in the management of Health, Safety & Environment across the Nuclear Licensed Sites, enabling the achievement of world class performance executed through business and functional strategies.
Working with the business and the site and licensee authority the role sets and executes business/function wide plans to deliver on agreed improvement objectives. The role provides assurance to the business on safety and environmental performance and compliance and proactive leadership in seeking out emerging issues and identifying trends.
What you will be doing
Ensure a thorough business wide risk profile is in place. Use the risk profile to focus strategy, investment and general business decision-making. 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
Implementing and ensuring compliancee with assigned Nuclear Site Licence Conditions within CP
Ensure good HSE governance (structure, process and content) is in place across the business, including the HSE Accountability Framework, in partnership with senior leaders. Report on the overall effectiveness of governance and engage with senior leaders to implement any required improvements. Lead on defining the HSE and business agenda items, including improvement progress, and provide subject matter expertise to the meetings. Participate in Functional HSE meetings as identified by the Director, SSLA
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. Review where appropriate investigation reports on significant incidents and provide coaching. Ensure effective learnings are shared across the business and learnings from elsewhere are considered to develop robust improvement plan in the business. Ensure effective action closure arising from incidents is in place
Lead the understanding of HSE performance to identify improvement actions and initiatives through standard performance reports and the HSE balanced scorecard. Ensure timely reporting of validated data and effective use of the HSE MIS throughout the business
Develop objectives in response to Group targets based on business HSE performance and other requirements, only building additional KPI’s by exception. Actively participate in Shared Learning reviews, providing strong input and identifying learning appropriate to the business
Develop a business/function wide risk-based 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
Define and monitor the overall business resource requirements for HSE critical roles and develop competencies to support. Identify gaps in learning solutions and work with Corporate HSE to address them. Ensure a business wide people development plan is in place and participate group wide functional people development activities
Why Rolls-Royce?
Rolls-Royce is one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world and has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. We design, build and service systems that provide critical power to customers where safety and reliability are paramount.
We are proud to be a force for progress, powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. We want to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that has shaped our history continues into our future and we need people like you to come and join us on this journey.
We’ll provide an environment of caring and belonging where you can be yourself. An inclusive, innovative culture that invests in you, gives you access to an incredible breadth and depth of opportunities where you can grow your career and make a difference.
We offer excellent development, a competitive salary and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.
Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home or another remote location. It’s a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement. As a minimum we’re all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, frequency will depend on business needs, nature of role, what works for the team and for the individual. Discover more on our GBS Service Portal about hybrid working.
Who we’re looking for
Being a part of Rolls-Royce you’ll know we put safety first, do the right thing, keep it simple and make a difference. These principles form our behaviours. They are an essential component of our assessment process and are fundamental qualities that we seek for all roles.
Typically a degree in HSE and/or professional certifications, or capable of leading a team of competent HSE professionals
General operational or HSE experience, with proven experience of managing others, including experience of operating globally and managing HSE for major hazard
Demonstrated experience in influencing senior managers and taking a stand when the situation demands it
Must have experience of managing Health and Safety within a highly regulated industry
Join us & help Rolls-Royce to become a high-performing, competitive, resilient business.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.
The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We’re committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive working environment. We believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures give us different perspectives. And the more perspectives we have, the more successful we’ll be. By building a culture of respect and appreciation, we give everyone who works here the opportunity to realise their full potential.
Learn more about our global Inclusion Strategy
For more than 60 years Rolls-Royce Submarines has designed, supplied and supported the nuclear propulsion plant, providing power for all UK Royal Navy nuclear submarines.
To work for Rolls-Royce Submarines an individual must hold a Security Check clearance. We will support the application for Security Clearance if you don’t already have it. Due to the nature of work we conduct, we can only progress applications from individuals who are a UK national or, in MoD approved cases, a dual national.
Grade: B
Closing Date: 18th November 2025
For further information please contact: Ali Connaughton