Head of Safety, Health

IXOM plays a vital part in the lives of tens of millions of people every day. We're the experts behind the scenes, ensuring safe and reliable access and helping industries, businesses, and local communities thrive.

Our products, services and solutions are used across many end markets, including dairy, agriculture, viticulture, electricity, steel, food and beverage, pulp and paper, mining and construction, and water treatment (just to name a few). 

We are supported by over 1,300 people globally and our operations span across four continents and nine countries, with headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. 

About your role

We are seeking an experienced individual to join IXOM as our Head of Safety, Health and Major Accident Risk reporting into our Chief Sustainability Officer. This pivotal role will drive the integration of relevant ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles into our operational systems, ensuring that safety, health, wellbeing, and major accident risk management are embedded in both strategy and daily practice across the IXOM Group.

As the principal process safety expert, you will provide strategic leadership and governance across process safety, health and wellness (including injury management, mental health, and workers compensation), operational training, regulatory affairs, and product compliance. Your expertise will safeguard compliance, foster a culture of wellbeing and psychological safety, and deliver continuous improvement in safety, health and environmental performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead governance and risk management for safety, health, process safety and major accident risk.
• Oversee a specialist team delivering injury management, mental health programs, and workers compensation processes.
• Promote a culture of wellbeing and psychological safety at all levels of the organisation.
• Champion operational training strategies aligned with regulatory requirements and ESG goals.
• Oversee the maintenance and continuous improvement of a comprehensive integrated ESG (SHEQ) management system, including policies, standards, and procedures.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of Regulatory Affairs and Technical teams, ensuring effective management of product regulatory compliance and technical support.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulators and industry bodies.
• Provide routine governance reporting to the Board, including risk insights, performance measures, and strategic updates.
• Identify and implement emerging technologies and practices to enhance safety, health, and process safety performance.

Who are we looking for?

• Degree qualified in a relevant discipline, with a strong preference for Chemical Engineering.
• Certified Safety or Process Safety Professional and/or post-graduate qualifications in WHS, business, or risk management.
• More than 15 years' work experience, preferably in high hazard industry, supply chain and/or hazardous materials, including 10+ years in technical/operational/risk management roles.
• Deep understanding of process safety and process safety management at an enterprise level.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant Australian/NZ/USA WHS, Dangerous Goods and environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt corporate risk strategies and systems to changes in global regulatory frameworks.
• Highly proficient in written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate with senior leadership and the Board.
• Proven ability to influence, lead, and build high-performing teams.
• Sound understanding of finance and business management practices.

Benefits at IXOM

For a start, you'll work for a large global organisation, where you'll not only earn a competitive salary, but you'll also have access to an Employee Assistance Program, a recognition program, and a range of health and wellness benefits and discounts.

Our wellbeing program is second to none, and we offer a range of education assistance and learning resources, as well as secondment and promotion opportunities to help you grow both personally and professionally.

We support what's important to you by promoting workplace giving, diversity, and providing volunteering leave, and, of course, we offer flexible working wherever possible.

To Apply

If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you

Our Process

At IXOM, we are committed to employing individuals who align with our values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are a number of checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants' suitability for a role, including police/criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, and reference checks.

Diverse candidates have diverse needs. During your recruitment journey, information will be provided about adjustment requests. If you require additional support before submitting your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition team.