• Shape enterprise-wide safety, risk and governance
• Partner directly with CEO, Executive and Board to influence strategy, culture and performance
• Lead transformation that elevates systems, assurance and accountability

About the company 

This organisation is a major operator in a safety critical, asset intensive industry, delivering essential services to communities across Australia and internationally. With a large, distributed workforce and complex operational footprint, the business is entering its next phase of maturity, centralising key functions, strengthening governance and lifting performance standards. Safety is at the centre of this evolution, not as a compliance exercise, but as a defining leadership priority. 

About the opportunity

Based in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, this is a pivotal national leadership role, created to elevate the execution of HSE strategy across multiple business units. Reporting to the General Manager, you will bring alignment, discipline and clarity to how safety is led and delivered on the ground. You will embed enterprise risk frameworks, strengthen critical control effectiveness and ensure investigations drive real learning and change. 

Your mandate is clear, to lift capability, standardise practices and create consistency without losing operational nuance. You will partner closely with senior operational leaders, providing both support and challenge, ensuring safety is integrated into decision making at every level. Success will be measured through improved audit outcomes, stronger data integrity, more effective risk management and a visible shift in leadership behaviours and accountability. This is about moving from intention to execution, and from compliance to ownership. 

About you

You are an experienced HSE leader with demonstrated experience operating in complex, high risk environments such as transport, logistics, mining or heavy industry. You understand know how to lead through influence, not hierarchy, and you bring credibility at both the frontline and executive level. You are highly analytical, comfortable with data and systems, and able to translate insight into action. 

You are also an exceptional communicator. You know how to distil complexity into clarity, whether presenting to the Board, engaging regulators or coaching frontline leaders. You are confident, articulate and deliberate in how you deliver your message, ensuring it lands with impact and drives action. You are calm under pressure, resilient in ambiguity and clear in your expectations.  

What’s on offer

You will step into a role where your impact is tangible and far reaching. You will shape how safety is led across a national network, working with engaged leaders who value strong thinking and decisive action. The organisation is committed to investing in systems, capability and leadership development, giving you the platform to deliver meaningful change. This is an opportunity to build legacy, embedding a consistent, high performing safety culture that protects people, strengthens operations and influences enterprise direction. 

How to Apply

For further information please apply via the role advert or contact Scott Craig or Sarah Layer with any specific questions: scottc@areteexecutive.com.au or 0466 756 921. You must have unrestricted working rights in Australia to apply. As part of the process pre-employment checks will be conducted.  

Arete Executive specialises in the Search & Recruitment of Leadership & Executive roles throughout Australia. We offer cost effective headhunting services from 10% with guaranteed results delivered in under 20 days. Candidate confidentiality is assured with all applications, with your privacy being our utmost priority. Partner with us for fast, reliable, and impactful recruitment solutions.