Regional HSE Leader - Central Europe

Building a sustainable future, together.

At WSP, we design the future of our communities. As one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, we bring together expertise across transport and infrastructure, buildings, energy, environment, water and advisory. Across Central Europe, we combine local knowledge with international reach to deliver projects that create a positive, lasting impact for clients, communities and the environment.

The opportunity

WSP Central Europe is seeking to enhance the expertise within our HSE community and we are currently looking for an Regional HSE Leader based in either Spain, Italy or France.

In this role, you will join a multidisciplinary team that embodies our company's core values: solidarity, a passion for large-scale and complex projects, and a spirit of innovation and conviviality.

The Regional HSE Leader will be responsible for developing and implementing the regional HSE strategy, ensuring alignment with global HSSEQ priorities and business objectives. The role will establish clear regional priorities, objectives, and performance measures to drive continuous improvement and strengthen HSE performance across Central Europe.

Working closely with senior leaders and operational teams, the successful candidate will influence strategic and operational decision-making by ensuring HSE considerations are embedded into business planning, project delivery, and day-to-day operations. A key focus will be promoting a proactive culture where safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible outcomes are recognised as fundamental to business success.

YOUR NEW ROLE, WHATS INVOLVED?

Key Responsibilities:

HSE Culture and Leadership

• The role will lead the continued development of a strong and consistent HSE culture across the region, ensuring that HSE is integrated into all aspects of project delivery and operational activity. The successful candidate will strengthen leadership engagement, accountability, and ownership of HSE performance by encouraging leaders and teams to actively manage risks and learn from experience.

• A key responsibility will be creating an environment where identifying hazards, speaking up, sharing lessons learned, and driving continuous improvement are embedded behaviours throughout the organisation.

Regional Governance and Oversight

• The Regional HSE Leader will provide strategic oversight of HSE performance across Central European countries, ensuring consistent implementation of global HSE frameworks, management systems, standards, and critical risk controls. Through effective governance, performance monitoring, and analysis of trends, the role will identify improvement opportunities and support initiatives that enhance overall HSE maturity.

• The role will also provide leadership and support in relation to incident reporting, investigations, learning processes, and the effective management of corrective and preventative actions.

Multi-Country Regulatory Leadership

• Operating across multiple jurisdictions, the role will ensure compliance with applicable HSE legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. The successful candidate will support country teams in understanding and implementing local requirements while maintaining alignment with global expectations.

• The role will monitor emerging legislative developments, assess their impact on regional operations, and support engagement with regulatory authorities and significant enforcement matters where required.

Leadership of the Regional HSE Network

• The Regional HSE Leader will provide leadership and direction to a distributed network of HSE professionals across Central Europe. Through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing, the role will build capability, strengthen collaboration, and promote consistent ways of working.

• The successful candidate will encourage the sharing of leading practices and lessons learned across countries, while recognising and respecting local regulatory, cultural, and operational differences.

Risk Management and Assurance

• The role will oversee regional risk management activities and critical risk programmes, ensuring that appropriate controls are in place to prevent serious injuries, fatalities, and significant environmental events. The successful candidate will support audits, assurance activities, certifications, and management reviews, using insights from these processes to drive improvement.

• A key focus will be ensuring corrective and preventative actions are effectively implemented and that risk management remains an integral part of operational decision-making.

Key Challenges

• This role requires an experienced HSE leader who can operate effectively across multiple countries with differing legal, regulatory, cultural, and operational environments. The successful candidate will need to balance global consistency with local requirements, influence leaders and project teams without direct authority, and build a common HSE culture across a diverse regional business.

• The role will also require the ability to drive meaningful improvement while supporting business growth, operational excellence, and sustainable performance.

What Success Looks Like:

Leadership Behaviours and Activities

• Success in this role will be demonstrated through visible and engaged leadership across the region, building strong relationships with leaders, teams, and operational projects. The successful candidate will influence decision-making through an HSE perspective, ensuring that safety, health, and environmental considerations are embedded into business activities rather than treated as a separate compliance function.

• The role will develop leaders and HSE professionals by strengthening capability, encouraging collaboration, and promoting the sharing of best practices across countries. Through the effective use of data, assurance findings, and operational insights, the successful candidate will identify opportunities for improvement and support a culture of learning.

• The Regional HSE Leader will also demonstrate strong leadership during significant incidents, crisis situations, and high-risk activities, providing direction and support when it matters most.

Business and HSE Outcomes

• successful candidate will deliver measurable improvements in HSE performance, including a stronger and more consistent HSE culture across the region, increased leadership engagement and accountability, and effective implementation of HSE frameworks and critical risk controls.

• Success will also be reflected through strong compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, improved management of critical risks, positive audit and assurance outcomes, and increased capability and maturity across regional leaders and HSE teams.

• Ultimately, the role will ensure HSE is fully integrated into project delivery, operational performance, and business decision-making, supporting a safer, healthier, and more sustainable organisation.

WHAT IF IT WAS YOU?

• Minimum 15 years of progressive HSE leadership experience.

• Experience leading HSE programs across multiple countries or jurisdictions.

• Demonstrated success operating in complex matrix organizations.

• Strong understanding of HSE management systems, risk management, regulatory compliance, and assurance.

• Degree in Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering, Science, or a related field.

• Relevant professional HSE qualifications preferred.

WHAT YOU’LL LIKE ABOUT US:

• A working environment inspired by belonging , driven by inclusion.

• Our flexible working policy - We recognise the importance of work-life balance and encourage you to find yours.

• WSP is about making the world around us a better place , including the environment, transport infrastructure, buildings and land use.

• Excellent career prospects. We're growing fast, and every day we strive to outdo ourselves. We are open to your ideas and want to try new things. We have a supportive environment that invests in your development and training.

• WSP is about embracing a culture of collaboration with colleagues who stand out for their skills . Come and discover our fantastic team!

OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

1. Telephone interview: We'll start with a telephone interview to get to know you better and discuss your experience with the Head of Talent Acquisition & Mobility, Central Europe.

2. Manager Interview: You will meet with our Chief HSSEQ Officer and CHRO Central Europe.

3. Interview with the Executive Board Members: A meeting with the Regional MD to discuss your potential role and our strategic vision.

ABOUT US:

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our trusted employees share a common goal of making a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity and inclusion.

Are you hesitating to apply? Go for it! We are proud to promote diversity, equal opportunities and professional integration within our teams, and we are convinced that our differences and an inclusive working environment contribute to our development. All applications will be carefully considered.

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