Health, Safety & Wellbeing Manager - Science & Research

Be part of something extraordinary. Help shape one of the UK's most innovative science and technology campuses.

At Laing O'Rourke, we're delivering the state-of-the-art Oxford Ellison Institute of Technology, a transformational project that will bring together research, academia, industry and entrepreneurship under one roof. This is not just a construction project—it's a collaborative environment where people, wellbeing and innovation truly matter.

We're looking for a Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HSW) Manager who can go beyond traditional safety practices. Someone who thrives on curiosity and coaching, who values inclusion, and who wants to play a central role in shaping how successful and safe work happens every day.

If you believe safety is about people first—not paperwork—this is the role for you.

Why this role matters

Our “Rethinking Safety through Inclusion + Wellbeing (I+W)” approach challenges conventional thinking. It recognises psychological and physical wellbeing as core to project success and empowers every individual to have a voice in how work is done.

As our HSW Manager, you will:

⭐ Champion an inclusive, people‑centred approach to safety

You'll coach, mentor and support teams to understand what's working well, why it works, and how we can replicate success across the project.

⭐ Influence and inspire project leadership

You'll help embed soft skills such as openness, listening and learning—key behaviours in delivering I+W effectively.

⭐ Build trust, engagement and real conversations

Your ability to connect with people at every level will enable true discovery around how work is planned, how it's executed, and where improvements can be made.

What you'll be doing

• Leading and delivering the I+W programme across the Oxford Ellison project
• Facilitating collaborative conversations with teams and workforce groups
• Driving positive investigations and appreciative enquiries into everyday work
• Ensuring effective Fatal & Severe Risk management and assurance
• Supporting leadership in creating a culture of trust, openness and empowerment
• Coaching operational teams to build confidence in engagement and listening
• Promoting innovation, new technologies and evidence‑based HSW practices
• Leading and supporting incident investigations and learning reviews
• Providing high‑quality H&S advice to project and operational teams
• Representing the project when communicating with regulatory bodies
• Capturing, sharing and promoting examples of I+W in action

What we're looking for

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum Level 5 qualification in a relevant H&S discipline
• Technical knowledge of safety risk management
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., IOSH)

Skills & Behaviours

• Strong coaching and mentoring capability
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Ability to build trust quickly and engage meaningfully with the workforce
• Decisive and analytical, with the ability to interpret information fast
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic and grounded under pressure
• Creative, positive, open to innovation and new ways of working
• A self‑starter who brings energy, ambition and motivation to the team

Why Laing O'Rourke?

You'll join an organisation committed to modernising construction, investing in people, and transforming the industry through digital engineering, DfMA and inclusive leadership. Expect support, development and the opportunity to have a far-reaching impact—not only on this flagship project, but on the future of HSW across our business.

Ready to help redefine what great looks like?

Apply today and play a pivotal role in delivering one of the UK's most exciting scientific and technological developments—safely, inclusively and collaboratively.