HSE Manager

The role

This person will support the development of Health, Safety and Environment across operations. They will lead the HSE team, strengthen management systems, and drive a proactive safety culture across engineering, test, manufacturing and operations.

What you will do

• Ensure risks across engineering, laboratories, test, prototype, facilities and operations are effectively managed.
• Maintain and continuously improve the ISO 45001-aligned HSE management system.
• Lead assurance activities, including audits, inspections and regulatory engagement.
• Lead significant incident investigations.
• Use data and insight to improve HSE performance.
• Define HSE training and competency requirements across the organisation.
• Lead the HSE strategy, annual plan and risk-based assurance programme.
• Advise senior operational stakeholders on key HSE risks, trends and priorities.
• Embed HSE considerations into business planning, operational decision-making and organisational change initiatives.
• Lead environmental compliance and continuous improvement across operational activities.

Required qualifications

• Experience leading HSE programmes, projects or teams within a complex, safety-critical or high-hazard environment.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving accountability for effective risk management.
• A track record of delivering improvements in HSE performance, culture and management systems.
• NEBOSH Diploma, NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health and Safety, or equivalent qualification.
• Strong knowledge of UK health and safety legislation within engineering, manufacturing or operational environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining an ISO 45001-aligned management system.
• Experience leading investigations, audits, assurance activities and regulatory engagement.
• Practical environmental compliance and risk management experience.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience coaching, developing or mentoring HSE professionals within a growing or changing environment.

Nice to have

• Chartered IOSH membership, or working towards it.
• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification or equivalent.
• ISO 14001 or IEMA qualification.
• Experience in high-voltage systems, batteries, flight test, prototype development or manufacturing.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, operational improvement programmes or transformational change.

Benefits

• 26 days holiday, plus bank holiday
• 5 extra days per year to buy (or sell)
• 5 extra days holiday when you get married or enter a civil partnership
• Additional 4% of your salary to spend on extra benefits
• Award-winning digital health and wellbeing service (Help@Hand)
• Company performance based bonus
• Company Share Scheme
• Company Pension Scheme 5% and match
• Breakfast on us, every day

About the company

Vertical Aerospace is pioneering the way for electric aviation with the Valo eVTOL aircraft. The company is growing from a prototype business to a scaling SME.