Head of Safety Excellence

Summary

Travelopia is the world’s largest collection of experiential travel brands, most of which are pioneers and leaders in their sector. Sailing adventures, exploration, safaris, luxury tours, arctic expeditions – our brands are as diverse as they are exciting, creating unforgettable experiences for 750,000 customers each year. A truly global business with customers from 30+ source markets traveling to 70+ destinations.

Following private equity acquisition in 2017, the group has been on a journey shaping and investing in an exciting future. The safety, security and well-being of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and we are strengthening this area of the business to develop the ways in which we manage the risks and challenges that are a characteristic of the adventurous experiences our customers love to enjoy!

With this backdrop, we are at an exciting juncture and the Health & Safety function is undergoing positive transformation and we need an experienced and dynamic leader to drive and support this new phase of development across the organisation.

Benefits of working with us

Hybrid working from either our Crawley or Surbiton offices, and even remote working for the right candidate

Annual bonus and salary review

33 days annual leave that increases with length of service (inclusive of bank holidays)

The opportunity to buy up to 10 days additional holidays per annum

An enhanced employer contribution pension scheme

International health, private medical and life insurances

Travel benefits and retail discounts

What you will be doing

Establishing, managing, developing & supporting the work of the safety excellence department including people, resources and budget planning/cost control.

Supporting business units with establishing their own internal safety teams and processes.

Setting and alignment of annual and strategic business plans – ensuring measurable objectives are agreed and monitored regularly.

Business partnering with operations, product, people and safety leads in each of the businesses.

Working collaboratively with other central functions e.g., legal & compliance, tech, people, risk, and aviation.

Sourcing opportunities for external accreditation that support the safety agenda and further differentiates our products/services from the competition.

Representing the business and collaborating with other operators at national and international industry events – expanding networks, learnings, best practice and opportunities for the business.

Owning and developing commercial relationships with external suppliers – driving efficiencies and service improvement wherever possible (e.g., auditing, technology, consultancy, training providers)

Managing technology development and implementation within the department (auditing databases, incident reporting tools, online learning etc.)

Supporting businesses with the management of serious incidents (including out of hours support) and ensuring procedures and reporting tools are continuously improving.

Ensuring robust safety management systems are in place (for customers, employees and workplaces), continuously improving, consistent with central policy and audited periodically.

Providing businesses with safety training services and support (via content online and other channels) that is targeted based on needs, effective and procured/deployed efficiently. Propose and develop a roadmap for mandatory training.

What we are looking for

A qualified health & safety professional with experience of working in an organization of a similar size and one that is complex and global.

Advanced safety qualification with membership to relevant professional body (e.g. NEBOSH)

Previous experience in the tourism/leisure/hospitality industry and/or marine industry advantageous but not essential.

Demonstrable experience of managing change, improving results, driving performance & efficiencies.

Flexibility and willingness to travel internationally.

Training qualifications and/or auditing experience advantageous.

Foreign languages advantageous – English essential

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a diverse and varied role, with a specific focus on the safety of employees and our customers, creating solutions and improvements for all.