H&S Manager

We are Cunningham. Founded in 2006, Cunningham is one of the UK's and Europe's leading construction companies. With extensive operations across multiple markets, we have built a strong reputation for innovation, quality, and safety, delivering successful projects through a proactive, collaborative approach.

Our expertise spans a diverse range of sectors, including Mission Critical & Life Sciences, Education, Healthcare, Fit Out, Residential, and Civils & Structural projects.

Today, Cunningham employs more than 280 professionals across offices in Ireland, Germany, and the UK. Working in partnership with our clients, we unlock the full potential of every project, transforming ambitious visions into successful outcomes while creating exciting opportunities for our people.

At Cunningham you will be given the opportunity to excel in your career. Our people set us apart, and that’s why we invest in your journey from day one. Your expertise, ambition, and commitment will be recognised and rewarded as you build a successful career with us.

We are currently seeking an experienced and talented H&S Manager to join our high performing team.

The Health & Safety Manager will be a pivotal leader within our SHEQ department, reporting directly to the SHEQ Lead. Based in our Dublin office, this role requires a proactive leader who is equally comfortable in a boardroom setting as they are on a live site. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Health & Safety team, ensuring that safety management systems are implemented effectively through regular site visits and frontline engagement. A core component of this role is the professional development and mentoring of our existing H&S staff, fostering a high-performance team environment focused on zero-harm.

REPORTING TO: SHEQ Lead

LOCATION: Dublin (Multiple Project locations)

CONTRACT TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

HOURS: Monday – Friday

Role Responsibilities

• Directly manage the Dublin-based Health & Safety team, including performance management, resource allocation, and workflow prioritisation.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor compliance, support site management, and ensure the H&S team is maintaining high standards of safety across all active projects.
• Act as a technical mentor to junior and mid-level H&S Officers; identify training gaps and lead professional development initiatives to upskill the existing team through both office-based coaching and on-site guidance.
• Provide regular updates and performance metrics to the SHEQ Lead; collaborate on the development of the broader SHEQ strategy and its local execution.
• Ensure the company remains fully compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, General Application Regulations, and all other relevant Irish and EU legislation.
• Champion the maintenance and continuous improvement of the ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) management system, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with Quality and Environmental standards.
• Lead the risk assessment process for high-risk activities, providing expert technical guidance to site management and the H&S team on complex safety challenges during site inspections.
• Oversee a rigorous internal audit and site inspection schedule conducted by the team; ensure all corrective actions are closed out effectively and manage the external certification process.
• Lead investigations into serious accidents or high potential "near misses," facilitating root cause analysis workshops and ensuring lessons learned are shared across the organisation.
• Develop and lead behavioural safety programs and safety incentive schemes to drive a positive, proactive culture across all levels of the workforce.

The Candidate

Qualifications & Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety or a related discipline or / NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 8/9 H&S qualification recognised in Ireland).
• Certified or Chartered membership of IOSH (CertIOSH or CMIOSH).
• Proven experience in managing, supervising, or leading a team of H&S professionals.
• Demonstrable experience in coaching or mentoring staff to improve technical competency and professional growth.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of experience in H&S, with at least 2 years in a management role within a high-risk sector.
• Evidence of formal management or leadership training is highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of the Irish HSA (Health and Safety Authority) regulatory framework and statutory reporting requirements.
• A full, clean Irish/EU driving license is essential for travel to various site locations.

Desirable Experience

• Experience managing safety across multiple concurrent sites in the Dublin/Leinster region.
• Experience working within an Integrated Management System (IMS) covering ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 alongside H&S.
• Experience working on projects for major Irish semi-state bodies (e.g., TII, Irish Water, ESB).

 

 

Skills & Attributes:

• The ability to work as part of cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communicator, with ability to convey complex information well.
• The ability to create and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Highly organised in relation to management of tasks and deadlines.
• Good attention to detail.
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

 

Benefits

As part of the Cunningham team, you will be offered the following employee benefits in addition to your market leading salary:

Work-Life & Wellbeing

31 days Annual Leave
Early finish on Fridays
Flexible Working Policy
Life Assurance Policy
Company Occupational Health
Employee Assistance Programme
Wellbeing Events

Development & Support

Ongoing Training & Development
Team Development Days
Support for Chartership Pathways
Bespoke Career Pathways
Professional Membership Support

Company Culture & Perks

State-of-the-art office facilities
On-site Car Parking
Branded clothing
Social Events

 

To apply for this role, please visit: https://cunninghamcontracts.bamboohr.com/careers to find out more and share your CV with us today.

 

Cunningham is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.