Senior HSE Advisor at Downer in Sydney, NSW, Australia

Senior HSE Advisor

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia

Senior HSE Advisor

The opportunity

Downer’s Energy and Utilities business is seeking an experienced Senior HSE Advisor to support our Transmission and Substation projects.

This is a senior project assurance role responsible for strengthening HSE governance across planning, mobilisation and delivery. You will lead risk based assurance activities, verify the effectiveness of critical controls and provide an independent challenge to operational delivery.

Reporting to the HSE Manager, Transmission and Substation, you will work closely with project leaders, construction teams, supervisors, subcontractors and clients to ensure our HSE systems, controls and evidence remain aligned with project risks, changing site conditions and compliance requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading assurance over the implementation and field application of the Health and Safety Management Plan

• Maintaining the Zero Harm risk register and ensuring project risks, controls and assurance evidence are current and aligned

• Conducting targeted surveillance, workplace inspections and critical control verification activities

• Reviewing SWMS, work packs, permits, inductions and authorisations for high risk work

• Identifying ineffective or deteriorating controls and escalating material risks to accountable leaders

• Providing assurance over subcontractor onboarding, competency, work readiness and HSE performance

• Supporting incident investigations, corrective action governance and workforce learning

• Verifying plant, equipment, training and competency records are compliant, current and audit ready

• Supporting client, regulatory and external assurance activities, including audits and formal reviews

• Coaching HSE Advisors, supervisors and operational teams in risk identification, control verification and assurance practices

What we’re looking for

You will be an experienced HSE professional who can confidently assess control effectiveness, identify systemic weaknesses and provide practical, evidence based advice within a high risk project environment.

To be successful, you will bring:

• A relevant qualification in Work Health and Safety or a related discipline, at Certificate IV, Diploma level or higher

• A current construction industry White Card

• Senior HSE experience within construction, utilities, transmission, substations, infrastructure or another high risk project environment

• Demonstrated experience leading site assurance, control verification and HSE system quality activities

• Strong knowledge of Australian WHS legislation, high risk construction controls, permit to work systems and contractor management requirements

• Experience managing project risk registers and aligning controls with actual work activities and site conditions

• Experience supporting incident investigations, corrective action management and learning reviews

• Strong working knowledge of HSMP implementation, SWMS, management of change and critical risk controls

• Experience working with subcontractors, supervisors and operational leaders to address non conformances and improve control effectiveness

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear and audit defensible records and reports

Formal training in incident investigation, auditing, risk management or critical control verification will be highly regarded.

What we offer

• A senior HSE position supporting significant Transmission and Substation projects

• The opportunity to influence project risk management and contribute to stronger safety outcomes

• A supportive team environment with access to experienced operational and HSEQ leaders

• Career development and ongoing learning opportunities across Downer’s broader Energy and Utilities business

• Competitive remuneration and employee benefits

• A workplace that values inclusion, collaboration and practical leadership

About Energy and Utilities

Downer is a leading provider of end to end services across power, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater, defence and industrial sectors. Our Energy and Utilities business works with customers across Australia and New Zealand to design, build, operate and maintain critical infrastructure that connects communities and supports economic growth.

Downer is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, women, members of the LGBTQIA plus community and culturally diverse groups.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please submit your application online, including your current resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

Applications will not be accepted via email. For more information about this position, please contact the recruitment team through the details provided in the advertisement.

Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. All recruitment activity must be coordinated through Downer’s Talent Acquisition team. Any resumes submitted without an approved agreement will be treated as the property of Downer, and no placement fee will be payable.