Head of HSE Operations Support
Location: Dubai (with regular travel to operations site in Turkmenistan)
Contract Type: Permanent / Full-time
Work Pattern: Office-based with site visits (approx. 25% travel)
Overview
An opportunity is available for an experienced HSE leader to oversee operational health, safety, and environmental support functions for large-scale upstream oil and gas operations. This role leads a specialist team providing guidance, assurance, and technical support across operational sites and headquarters functions.
You will be responsible for strengthening HSE systems, driving compliance with management standards, improving safety culture, and ensuring alignment with international best practices and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the HSE Operations Support function, providing guidance to operational sites and headquarters teams
- Ensure effective implementation of integrated HSE management systems and annual action plans
- Develop, review, and improve HSE standards, procedures, and control of work systems
- Provide operational HSE advice and support to key stakeholders across the organisation
- Oversee incident reporting, investigation processes, and ensure effective root cause analysis and lessons learned
- Lead HSE performance monitoring, reporting, and KPI tracking to support continuous improvement
- Support and guide incident investigation teams and ensure corrective actions are implemented
- Act as focal point for business continuity planning and business impact assessments
- Lead operational risk management activities and maintain HSE risk registers
- Oversee contractor HSE management from pre-qualification through to performance evaluation
- Review project and operational HSE documentation including risk assessments, HSE plans, and method statements
- Support development and delivery of HSE training, competency frameworks, and assurance programmes
- Drive regulatory compliance and ensure alignment with local and international standards
- Lead environmental performance monitoring, including emissions, waste, water usage, and energy efficiency initiatives
- Support emergency response preparedness and crisis management planning
- Lead and develop the HSE team, including coaching and mentoring staff
- Conduct site visits, audits, inspections, and field engagement activities to ensure compliance
- Promote a strong safety culture and continuous improvement mindset across operations
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related discipline
- Minimum 15 years’ experience in HSE within the oil and gas industry (upstream experience required)
- At least 5 years in a senior HSE leadership or similar role
- Strong knowledge of HSE management systems, risk management, and operational safety frameworks
- Experience in incident investigation, auditing, and regulatory compliance management
- Strong understanding of international HSE standards and industry best practices (ISO and equivalent frameworks)
- Experience managing contractor HSE performance in complex operational environments
- Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work independently with broad operational responsibility
- Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills
- Willingness to travel regularly to operational sites
Additional Information
- Role involves both strategic oversight and hands-on operational HSE engagement
- Requires strong presence in field environments and ability to influence operational teams
- Focus on safety culture transformation, compliance, and continuous improvement is essential
- Candidates must be comfortable working in high-risk, complex operational settings