Defence Safety Authority, Defence Land Safety Regulator - Op Assure Energy SEO

Your Role:

Are you looking for a high-reaching and exciting role that can make a real difference? Do you have the passion and dedication to be part of an ambitious organisation at the forefront of supporting the Ministry of Defence to ensure the safety of personnel and protection of the environment? If so, then we would like to hear from you!

The Organisation:

The Defence Safety Authority (DSA) is responsible for the regulation of Defence health, safety, and environmental protection. Its purpose is to provide independent, evidence- based assurance to the Secretary of State for Defence (SoS), that their policy on safety in Defence is being promoted and implemented within the course of Defence activities. The DSA hosts Defence safety regulators across all operating environments, also incorporating the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, and a HQ within a single independent organisation, led by a 3 Star military officer. Through our independence, the DSA, as the third line of defence, provide an objective evaluation of how effectively a Defence organisation assesses and manages its risks. This includes an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of the operation of the first and second lines of defence.

Our Department:

As part of the Defence Land Safety Regulator (DLSR), the Energy Assurance Lead will provide independent Third Line of Defence assurance that Defence energy activities are compliant with legislation, Defence regulation and policy. Working within the Operating Assurance function, the post-holder will lead a small team delivering assurance across energy, associated systems and infrastructure, while supporting regulatory recommendations relating to licensing and certification arrangements where required.

The role also supports DLSRs wider assurance approach by maintaining awareness of legislative, regulatory and industry developments, assessing associated risks and assurance requirements, and engaging with external regulators and industry partners to promote safe and sustainable energy activity across Defence.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic leadership

• Lead, manage and develop the energy assurance team within DLSR, providing clear direction and fostering a high-performing, inclusive and professional team.
• Develop DLSRs future energy assurance capability, ensuring Defence remains prepared for evolving operational energy requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation and professional development across the team.

Energy assurance and regulation

• Lead independent, intelligence-led, risk-based, Third Line of Defence assurance activity across Defence energy and operational energy infrastructure.
• Develop and deliver assurance programmes based on organisational risk, operational priorities and emerging technologies.
• Assess compliance with legislation, Defence regulations, policy and recognised industry standards.
• Recommend proportionate enforcement action where significant safety or environmental risks are identified.
• Support licensing, certification and regulatory governance across Defence energy activities.

Health, safety and environmental protection

• Act as the senior specialist for health, safety and environmental protection across energy assurance activity.
• Promote continual improvement in safety, environmental management and organisational learning.
• Lead or support investigations into significant incidents, identifying root causes and ensuring lessons are embedded across Defence.

Stakeholder engagement

• Develop strong collaborative relationships with Front Line Commands, the National Armaments Director Group, the Operational Energy Authority and wider Defence organisations.
• Engage with statutory regulators, industry bodies, professional institutions and government departments to ensure Defence remains aligned with national legislation and industry best practice.
• Represent Defence at senior working groups, steering committees and technical forums.

Continuous improvement and future energy

• Conduct horizon scanning to identify emerging risks, legislative change and future energy developments.
• Support Defences transition to hydrogen, sustainable fuels, electrification and alternative operational energy technologies.

Contribute to the Annual Assurance Report and strategic risk assessments, providing senior Defence leaders with evidence-based assurance and recommendations

A core requirement of this role is the ability to access remote Defence training areas, both in the UK and overseas, which are not served by public transport. As such, a valid driving licence is essential, and the nature of the responsibilities makes part-time or job-share arrangements impractical.

Essential Experience

• Significant leadership experience within a complex operational, engineering, logistics, energy or regulatory environment.
• Experience leading assurance, audit, compliance or inspection programmes.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety and environmental protection principles.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and delivering strategic outcomes.
• Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills.
• Ability to assess complex risks and make evidence-based, proportionate decisions.
• Experience managing competing priorities while delivering organisational objectives.
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and continuous improvement.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within energy, petroleum or wider operational energy sectors.
• Knowledge of Defence regulation, assurance frameworks and governance.
• Understanding of DSEAR, petroleum legislation and environmental legislation.
• Experience engaging with statutory regulators.
• Knowledge of hydrogen, sustainable fuels, battery energy storage systems and emerging operational energy technologies.
• Knowledge of Petroleum Consolidation Regulations.

Essential Qualifications

• Recognised industry standard training in DSEAR and ATEX regulations.

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 3 certificate in occupational health and safety
• Level 3 certificate in environmental management
• ISO 45001 lead auditor (or equivalent)

Applicants should be able to demonstrate significant leadership experience in a complex operational, engineering, logistics, energy or regulatory environment. You should have experience leading assurance, audit, compliance or inspection programmes, with strong knowledge of health, safety and environmental protection principles.

You will need to influence senior stakeholders, deliver strategic outcomes, assess complex risks and make evidence-based, proportionate decisions. Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills are essential, together with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead organisational change and continuous improvement.

Experience in energy, petroleum or wider operational energy sectors would be particularly welcome, as would knowledge of Defence regulation, assurance frameworks, governance, DSEAR, petroleum legislation, environmental legislation and emerging operational energy technologies.