HSE Lead – Data Centres

Location: Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reporting To: Project Director

About CTS Group

CTS Group is a leading international design and build contractor specialising in the delivery of mission-critical data centre facilities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). We combine engineering excellence, innovation, and digital expertise to deliver high-performance, sustainable, and future-ready infrastructure for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise clients.

With a diverse workforce representing more than 40 nationalities, CTS fosters a collaborative and high-performance culture where technical excellence, safety, and innovation underpin every project. Beyond construction, CTS develops advanced digital solutions and standardised modular infrastructure, enabling faster, smarter, and more efficient data centre delivery.

As our UK project portfolio continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced HSE Lead to join one of our flagship data centre developments in Middlesbrough.

The Role

The HSE Lead will be responsible for leading all Health, Safety and Environmental activities across a major data centre construction project, ensuring the highest standards of safety performance, compliance, and operational excellence are achieved throughout the project lifecycle.

Reporting to the Project Director, you will work closely with project leadership, subcontractors, client representatives, and site teams to drive a proactive safety culture, promote best practice, and ensure compliance with UK legislation, company standards, and client requirements.

This is a highly visible leadership position that requires a hands-on approach, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to influence behaviours at every level of the organisation. You will play a critical role in ensuring that everyone goes home safely while supporting the successful delivery of a world-class mission-critical facility.

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety & Environmental Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the project Health, Safety and Environmental Management System.

• Foster a positive and proactive safety culture across all project teams, subcontractors, and stakeholders.

• Act as the primary HSE advisor to project leadership and site management teams.

• Promote behavioural safety initiatives and continuously drive improvements in site safety performance.

• Ensure all personnel understand and comply with project HSE requirements and safe systems of work.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with UK Health & Safety legislation, environmental regulations, client requirements, and CTS standards.

• Monitor compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM Regulations 2015, and other relevant legislation.

• Develop, review, and implement project-specific HSE plans, procedures, and policies.

• Liaise with regulatory bodies, client representatives, and external auditors as required.

• Ensure all project documentation and records are maintained to the highest standard.

Risk Management & Incident Prevention

• Lead hazard identification, risk assessments, method statement reviews, and permits-to-work processes.

• Conduct regular site inspections, safety tours, audits, and workplace assessments.

• Monitor high-risk activities including lifting operations, working at height, temporary works, electrical works, confined spaces, and energisation activities.

• Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.

• Maintain accurate records of incidents, corrective actions, observations, and lessons learned.

Site Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and support to site-based HSE Advisors and Coordinators.

• Deliver safety briefings, induction programmes, toolbox talks, and awareness campaigns.

• Support project teams in developing safe working practices and operational improvements.

• Challenge unsafe behaviours and intervene where necessary to prevent incidents.

• Build strong working relationships with subcontractors to improve safety performance across the project.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Monitor and report on key HSE performance indicators and project safety metrics.

• Produce weekly and monthly HSE reports for project leadership and client stakeholders.

• Track corrective actions, audit findings, observations, and improvement initiatives through to closure.

• Support project reviews, leadership meetings, and client audits with accurate safety data and performance reporting.

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH Diploma, NEBOSH Construction Certificate, NVQ Level 6 in Occupational Health & Safety, or equivalent qualification.

• Membership of IOSH (GradIOSH/CMIOSH) or working towards Chartered status.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior Health & Safety role within construction, infrastructure, industrial, mission-critical, or data centre environments.

• Proven experience leading HSE activities on large-scale construction projects.

• Strong understanding of UK Health & Safety legislation, including:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

  • CDM Regulations 2015

  • ISO 45001

  • Environmental and workplace safety regulations

• Experience conducting risk assessments, incident investigations, audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.

• Proven ability to build relationships, influence behaviours, and promote a positive safety culture.

• Strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital HSE reporting systems.

• Full professional proficiency in English.

Desirable

• Previous hyperscale or enterprise data centre experience.

• Experience working within mission-critical or live operational environments.

• Environmental qualification or ISO 14001 knowledge.

• First Aid at Work qualification.

• Mental Health First Aider training.

• Experience with digital field reporting and safety management platforms.

• Chartered IOSH (CMIOSH) status.

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to play a leading role in the delivery of one of the UK's most significant data centre developments while helping shape and maintain an industry-leading safety culture.

You will join a fast-growing international organisation delivering some of the most technically advanced projects in the sector, working alongside talented professionals in a collaborative and safety-focused environment.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package

• Career progression opportunities within a rapidly growing international business

• Exposure to large-scale hyperscale and mission-critical projects

• Ongoing professional development and training

• Collaborative, diverse, and high-performance working environment

• Opportunity to contribute to world-class digital infrastructure projects

• Long-term career opportunities across CTS's expanding UK and European operations

Eligibility to Work in the UK

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Please note that CTS Group is unable to provide visa sponsorship or support Skilled Worker visa applications for this position. Candidates requiring current or future sponsorship to work in the UK will not be considered.

If you're a passionate HSE professional looking to make a meaningful impact on a landmark data centre project while championing world-class safety standards, we would welcome your application.