Date Posted
6 May 2026
Category
Health and Safety
Employment
Full Time
Venue
Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide
- Lead national safety transformation across a complex, multi-site transport network
- Shape culture, capability and critical risk outcomes at scale
- Partner with executive leadership to influence enterprise performance and strategy
About the company
This organisation is a large, multi-national transport operator delivering essential services across Australia and internationally. Operating in a highly regulated, safety critical industry, it is focused on safe, reliable and efficient mobility. As part of a broader integrated transport group, it plays a key role in connecting communities and supporting everyday economic and social activity.
About the opportunity
Based in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide, this is not a functional leadership role, it is a platform to lead change. As Head of HSE Operations, you will take ownership of national HSE execution, translating strategy into disciplined, frontline outcomes. You will align diverse business units under a consistent operating rhythm, embedding critical risk frameworks, lifting investigation quality and strengthening assurance. Success in the first 12 months looks like this: a step change in risk visibility, consistent application of critical controls, improved data integrity and reporting, and a measurable uplift in safety performance and culture. You will influence, coach leaders to own risk, and ensure safety becomes a lived operational discipline, not just a framework.
About you
You are a seasoned HSE leader with over 10 years’ experience operating in high risk, multi-site environments. You lead with clarity and conviction, and you know how to move organisations from intention to execution. You bring deep expertise in critical risk management, investigations and ISO-aligned systems, but more importantly, you know how to embed them. You are commercially aware, resilient, and credible at executive level, comfortable challenging, guiding and aligning leaders to a higher standard.
What’s on offer
You will step into a role with real scope and visibility, where your leadership directly impacts thousands of frontline workers and the communities they serve. The organisation offers a strong leadership platform, access to executive decision making, and the opportunity to shape national safety performance at scale. Expect investment in your development, exposure to complex operational challenges, and the ability to leave a lasting legacy in a business committed to continuous improvement, accountability and a high performance culture.
For further information please apply via the role advert or contact Sarah Layer or Scott Craig with any specific questions: scottc@areteexecutive.com.au. You must have unrestricted working rights in Australia to apply. As part of the process, pre-employment checks will be conducted.
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.


