Senior Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Manager

PURPOSE

The position plays a critical role in shaping and supporting the implementation of GEMS Group Health, Safety, and Environment strategy. Acting as a key integrator between strategy and operations, the role focuses on developing systems, supporting compliance, enhancing reporting and assurance frameworks, and embedding best practice in risk management across the school network, service entities, and corporate departments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the Head of HSE in operationalising the GEMS HSE strategy, ensuring the HSE management system is implemented effectively across schools, service entities, and corporate departments.
• Mentor and provide technical leadership to the wider HSE team, supporting capability development, and embedding a high-performance, risk-aware safety culture.
• Lead the review, simplification, and alignment of group-wide HSE policies and procedures in line with regulatory updates, international standards, audit findings, incident learnings, and best practices.
• Monitor regulatory changes, conduct impact assessments and advise on required actions to maintain compliance across schools, service teams, and corporate departments.
• Champion effective risk management, supporting the development and quality assurance of risk assessments and maintaining a central library of practical and current templates.
• Implement the GEMS HSE inspection and audit programs, and analyse the findings, identifying and working to resolve systemic issues, and contributing to HSE assurance and performance reports for leadership.
• Develop and deliver targeted HSE training, contributing to the professional development of Managers of School Operations (MSOs) and other key staff across schools, service teams, and corporate departments.
• Provide oversight and assurance on contractor safety management, including Permit to Work (PTW) systems, high-risk work controls, and contractor onboarding and monitoring processes.
• Support the development, testing, and continuous improvement of emergency response plans across GEMS, ensuring emergency readiness and alignment with regulatory expectations.
• Act as a point of escalation for complex HSE queries, providing practical guidance to schools, service teams, and corporate departments.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen safety culture, including staff engagement, safety observations, and recognition of good practice.
• Monitor and analyse incidents through the HSE Guard system, ensuring reporting quality, identifying trends, and consolidating insights for stakeholder reporting.
• Lead or support HSE incident investigations and support the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

Expected Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• NEBOSH IGC or equivalent required (NEBOSH Diploma or Masters preferred)
• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor (preferred)
• Level 3 Child Protection & Safeguarding (or willingness to attain)

Expected Experience

• Minimum 7 years of HSE experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or systems-focused HSE role
• Experience in developing, managing and auditing HSE management systems across multiple sites
• Experience in education, facilities management, or service-based environments (preferred)

Job Specific Knowledge and Skills

• In-depth knowledge of UAE and international HSE regulations, standards (including ISO 45001), and best practices.
• Strong expertise in risk management and incident investigation techniques.
• Strong understanding of behaviour-based safety, staff engagement and leadership coaching techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, with a clear professional writing style and confident verbal delivery.
• Skilled in developing and delivering impactful training and presentations across all staff levels – from frontline to executive leadership.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong self-management and strategic thinking abilities.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.