HSEQ Manager - Defence

HSEQ Manager – Defence  
Scotland – Home Based with regular travel to Great Harbour, Kyle of Lochalsh and Faslane
Full Time, Permanent   
Band 4 / £40,000-50,000 (dependent on experience)

Please note: You must be able to obtain and maintain SC (Security Check) clearance before starting in this role.

Here at Serco, we’re looking for an experienced and highly visible HSEQ Manager to support our Defence operations across three key sites in Scotland: Great Harbour, Kyle of Lochalsh and Faslane.

This is a high-impact role where you’ll be a trusted HSEQ expert, working closely with operational leaders, colleagues and customers to ensure the highest standards of health, safety, environment and quality are maintained across our Defence portfolio.

You’ll be responsible for providing expert HSEQ guidance, assurance and oversight across your sites, helping to embed a strong safety culture and ensuring that risks are identified, managed and addressed proactively.

This is a role where visibility really matters. We’re looking for someone who enjoys being out in the operation, building relationships and engaging directly with colleagues and leaders. You’ll need to have a strong presence, be confident challenging when required and be comfortable working across multiple sites and with stakeholders at all levels.

Based around Glasgow would be ideal given the location of the three sites, with regular travel across Scotland required.

As part of this you’ll:

• Be the HSEQ subject matter expert across Great Harbour, Kyle of Lochalsh and Faslane, maintaining a highly visible presence and building strong relationships with operational teams, customers and stakeholders.


• Provide proactive HSEQ oversight, undertaking site visits, inspections and assurance activity to identify risks and ensure effective controls are in place.


• Lead and support incident investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions, using lessons learned to continuously improve safety performance.


• Promote a strong and proactive safety culture, encouraging hazard identification, open reporting and shared accountability.


• Ensure compliance with relevant HSEQ legislation, standards, customer requirements and Defence-specific controls.


• Produce meaningful HSEQ reporting and use data and trends to identify areas for improvement.


• Deliver HSEQ training and guidance to operational colleagues and provide specialist input into operational meetings, customer engagements and wider business activity.


• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen processes, simplify ways of working and embed best practice.

What you’ll need to do the role:

• Previous experience working with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is essential.


• NEBOSH Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification is essential as a minimum.


• Proven experience in an HSEQ role within a complex, operational environment, with strong knowledge of relevant legislation, standards and management systems.


• Experience of incident investigation, risk management, audits and assurance activity.


• A highly visible, hands-on approach, with the confidence and presence to build credibility, influence stakeholders and constructively challenge at all levels.


• Strong communication, problem-solving and organisational skills, with the ability to manage priorities across multiple sites.


• A proactive approach to improving HSEQ performance and embedding a positive safety culture.


• Willingness to travel regularly between the three Scottish sites.


• IOSH, IIRSM or equivalent membership, along with additional HSEQ qualifications, would be advantageous.

Why Serco:

Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work will make a real difference to the safety, wellbeing and operational effectiveness of our Defence services. You’ll gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across five vital sectors. Personal growth, achievement and development won’t be hard to find. You’ll also work with great people. You’ll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence.

What we offer:

• Company car


• Flexible working considered


• Pension – 6%


• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services


• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion


• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.


• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more.


• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.


• A safe and supportive culture.

A little bit about us:
At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our inclusive recruitment commitment:
We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.


• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact [email protected].

Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.

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