Head of EHS

Company Background

What if there was a limitless, safe, clean, low-cost energy source, providing much needed global energy security? What if that energy source could also help reduce climate change? We believe that’s fusion energy. Tokamak Energy is a leading global commercial fusion energy company based near Oxford, UK. We have an unrivalled track record designing and operating spherical tokamaks; the optimal route to commercial fusion energy.

In addition to fusion energy, Tokamak Energy is recognised as the leader in High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnet, design, numerical modelling, and prototyping. Our dedicated HTS magnet team, in collaboration with key manufacturing partners, is focussed on becoming the leading supplier of HTS magnets to multiple markets.

The company, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK’s Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, currently employs a growing team of over 250 people with experts from the UK and around the world. It combines world leading scientific, engineering, industrial and commercial capabilities. The company has 70 families of patent applications and has raised $250 million, comprising $200m from private investors and $50m from the UK and US governments. Our US subsidiary, Tokamak Energy Inc, was established in 2019.

Come and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team who are striving to provide a solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: clean and sustainable energy for all.

Overview of the role

We put safety first as part of our values. At Tokamak Energy we take safety to mean EHS in a variety of forms, that have meaning and are important to staff, key stakeholders and partners. Our strategy is based on future expectation of standards and performance, we continuously strive to improve. EHS performance is a key component of business performance and contributes to commercial success and how we want to continue to grow and improve.

As the Head of Environment Health and Safety you will be a key member of the Operations Team reporting to the Director of Operations with reporting access to the CEO and briefing to the leadership team

You will be directly responsible for developing and embedding a strong and proactive safety and environmental culture at TE.

You will work closely with the Head of Risk and Assurance to ensure the provision of an ISO certified integrated management system that promotes continual improvement in performance and minimising risk.

In this role, you will:

• Lead Tokamak Energy in developing an effective and proactive EHS culture and embed it across the business promoting both physical and psychological safety for our staff, partners and visitors.
• Lead and nurture all things EHS related, building and embedding a first in safety culture and being given the mandate to drive the development of the strategic agenda for EHS across Tokamak Energy. You will champion the delivery and in the process, take the organisation on a cultural improvement journey.
• Initiate and oversee a Health and Safety leadership change programme across the organisation with the support of staff, volunteers and other IOSH stakeholders. You will provide leadership in developing an effective and proactive safety culture throughout the organisation.
• Work in partnership with the technical teams to deliver our company strategy safely and effectively.
• Act as the key advisor on Environment, Health and Safety legislative and statuary compliance issues across the business.
• Manage, coach and lead the EHS Team, develop and maintain technical and behavioural competencies to ensure the delivery of optimised advice and service to the business.
• Representing Tokamak Energy in the field of EHS nationally and internationally
• Ensure the provision of a competent health physics function providing radiological protection services and advice to the organisation.
• Working in partnership with the People team to participate in the development of an appropriate workplace wellbeing programme, and on health and wellbeing issues particularly where a risk assessment has identified a need.
• In conjunction with the Head of Risk and Assurance develop an environmental strategy for TE.
• Ensure our waste management strategy and controls are in place and enacted.

Requirements

• Chartered membership of one or more of the Professional Organisations in Occupational Safety Health and Environment undertaking a scheme of Continuous Professional Development (e.g CMIOSH status)
• Demonstratable experience in managing EHS within an R&D, heavy industry or engineering environment.
• Experience of managing and mitigating our top risks to our people which include but are not limited to: electrical risk, Ionisation, RAD Waste, Fire, COSH, LOLAR, Pressure, working at height, heavy lifting and cryogenic systems.
• Knowledge and experience of health & safety management systems and relevant areas of civil and criminal law implemented in complex and/or industrial environments.
• Proven experience in a lead role successfully managing and motivating a specialist team, with a track record of delivering customer focused services.
• Proven experience of working alongside leaders and managers to support and improve physical and psychological safety in the workplace
• Highly developed organisational awareness, effective interpersonal skills and the ability to influence, persuade and communicate with people at all levels within the organisation and regulatory bodies.
• Ability to provide effective, visible leadership in health and safety.
• Excellent report writing skills for preparation of BOARD and Committee reports.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and 3 days festive shutdown)
• Company pension scheme
• Eligible for company share option scheme
• Company bonus scheme, discretionary, dependant on performance
• A range of financial benefits including death in service and critical illness cover
• Cycle to work scheme

No terminology in the advert or job description is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Important information for candidates

Pre-employment screening

Please note that the appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to standard pre-employment screening, as applicable to the post. This will include right-to-work, proof of identity and references.

Data privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tokamak Energy as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation, for more information regarding GDPR please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation

Equality of opportunity

Entry into employment with the Tokamak Energy and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Working arrangements

Please note, due to the nature of work for this role you should expect to be on 100% onsite, however flexibility and some element of hybrid working will be available on completion of probation.

Part time working or job share options will be reviewed on an individual basis.