Navantia UK
Systems Lead - Safety & Environmental Management Systems
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Navantia UK
Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy transition ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.
Job Description
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Systems Lead to take ownership of our Integrated Safety and Environmental Management Systems across our shipbuilding and ship repair operations.
This is a key leadership position responsible for maintaining, developing and continually improving our ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, customer expectations and industry best practice.
Operating within a complex engineering environment that supports both commercial and defence programmes, you will act as the subject matter expert for management systems governance, compliance assurance, auditing and continuous improvement. You will also provide guidance and leadership to the Systems Coordinator, helping drive excellence across the wider HSEQ function.
Key Responsibilities
Management Systems Leadership
- Lead the maintenance, development and continual improvement of the organisation's ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified management systems.
- Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, customer expectations and contractual obligations.
- Maintain system documentation, procedures, policies and operational controls.
- Support and facilitate Management Review processes, providing performance reporting, trend analysis and improvement recommendations.
- Monitor changes in legislation, standards and industry best practice, ensuring management systems remain current and effective.
- Provide expert guidance to operational and project teams on management system requirements.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Auditing & Compliance Assurance
- Plan, coordinate and deliver internal audit programmes across the business.
- Conduct audits against ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements.
- Manage corrective actions and ensure timely close-out of audit findings.
- Support external certification, customer and regulatory audits.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and support implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Promote a proactive culture of assurance, compliance and continual improvement.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive improvement initiatives across safety and environmental performance.
- Analyse performance data, audit results, incidents, observations and compliance trends.
- Support the development and monitoring of HSE objectives and targets.
- Implement improvement plans that enhance management system effectiveness and business performance.
- Encourage engagement and ownership of health, safety and environmental responsibilities across all levels of the organisation.
Operational Support
- Provide practical HSEQ systems support to project teams, production departments and business functions.
- Support risk-based approaches to operational management, including environmental aspects, hazards, controls and improvement actions.
- Assist in meeting customer requirements, including those associated with defence and public-sector contracts.
- Support compliance obligations relating to shipbuilding, ship repair and associated engineering activities.
Team Leadership
- Provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and support to the Systems Coordinator.
- Prioritise and allocate system-related activities while ensuring effective delivery.
- Develop capability and competence within the wider systems function.
- Promote collaboration and effective communication across departments.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Proven experience managing and maintaining ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems.
- Proven experience managing and maintaining ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems.
- Significant experience within HSE Management Systems roles.
- Strong internal auditing and compliance assurance experience.
- Experience working within complex engineering, manufacturing, construction, marine or shipbuilding environments.
- Experience engaging with auditors, customers, regulators and senior stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret standards, legislation and contractual requirements.
- Previous experience supervising, mentoring or leading team members.
- Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- NEBOSH Level 6 National or International Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety (or equivalent), or currently working towards completion.
- IRCA (or equivalent) Lead Auditor qualification for ISO 45001.
- IRCA (or equivalent) Lead Auditor qualification for ISO 14001.
Desirable
- Membership of a recognised professional body such as:
- IOSH
- ISEP
- Experience within defence, marine or highly regulated manufacturing sectors.
- Knowledge of assurance requirements associated with Ministry of Defence contracts.
- Experience managing Integrated Management Systems (IMS).
Additional Information
Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.
If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.
Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance
We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.
We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.
If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills