Project HSE Manager BESS

Who We Are:
At Northland, we’re enablers of change, united by our journey to transform the energy sector into the foundation for a sustainable future.

Since our inception, we’ve been early movers in the energy industry, adopting new initiatives that pave the way for communities across the globe and helping forge their path towards a carbon-neutral landscape.

We’re a different kind of independent power producer. As developers, owners and operators who are at the forefront of the energy transition, we’re uniquely positioned to leave a lasting impact in the regions where we operate. We’ve expanded our business across Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia to become a global leader, all by bringing together industry experts to find solutions with an entrepreneurial mindset. 

While our work powers communities across the globe, Northland is powered by our people.

What You’ll Do:
As the HSE Manager for BESS NPI Projects, you are accountable for ensuring that Health, Safety and Environmental risks are effectively managed across the construction, commissioning, and operational phases of BESS projects, including full transition into and ongoing support during Operations.
Operating within an NPI-led HSE delivery model, where execution is performed by contractors and suppliers, you will:
• Own the NPI HSE governance and assurance framework across construction, commissioning, and operations
• Ensure contractors deliver in line with NPI HSE expectations and Employer Requirements
• Lead the HSE readiness gate governance processes, ensuring projects are safe, compliant, and ready to progress through construction, energisation, and into operations
• Provide end-to-end HSE oversight from construction through safe energisation and into operational handover, maintaining continuity into operational HSE management
This role is critical in ensuring that construction and commissioning risks are effectively controlled, energisation is conducted safely, and assets are handed over in a fully HSE-ready state, enabling safe and compliant long-term operation of BESS assets.

Key Responsibilities:

HSE Governance & Stage-Gate Assurance

• Lead the implementation of the BESS HSE governance framework across all project stages from construction through commissioning into Operations and Maintenance
• Plan, coordinate, and execute HSE maturity / readiness reviews at each stage gate, ensuring:
  • Deliverables are complete, robust, and evidence-based
  • Risks are clearly identified, assessed, and mitigated
  • No stage progression without adequate HSE control maturity
• Provide clear, risk-based HSE guidance and recommendations to project and senior management, including go/no-go input where required
• Maintain oversight of HSE compliance status, project risk exposure, and critical actions impacting energisation and COD readiness

Construction HSE Assurance & Contractor Oversight

• Provide HSE assurance over construction activities by verifying that contractor HSE Plans, Emergency Response Plans, and bridging documents are site-specific, approved, and effectively implemented, and that all regulatory permits, inductions, and reporting processes are in place.
• Ensure effective risk management implementation by overseeing the adequacy and application of RAMS, HIRAs, Permit-to-Work, and SIMOPS processes, and confirming that risk registers and change management processes are actively maintained and reflect site conditions.
• Monitor operational control on site by ensuring safe systems of work are followed, emergency response capabilities are established and tested, and environmental, hazardous substances, and waste management controls are effectively implemented.
• Conduct HSE inspections, audits, and management site walks to verify compliance with Employer Requirements and regulatory standards, and ensure timely closure of non-conformances and corrective actions

Commissioning & Energisation Safety

• Ensure HSE readiness for commissioning and energisation by verifying that commissioning-specific HSE Plans, RAMS, and risk assessments are in place and aligned with live system risks, including SIMOPS involving energised equipment.
• Oversee implementation of electrical safety frameworks by confirming the establishment of HV rules, appointment of authorised and competent personnel, and enforcement of controlled access to energised systems and restricted areas.
• Ensure emergency preparedness for commissioning activities by verifying that response arrangements address electrical faults and BESS-specific hazards (e.g. thermal events), and that communication and control protocols between all parties are clearly defined.
• Participate in energisation readiness reviews and confirm that HSE risks are adequately controlled prior to first energisation and grid connection.

O&M Readiness & Transition

• Lead HSE transition from construction into operations by ensuring all project HSE documentation, including the Health & Safety File, risk registers, and residual risk records, is complete, accurate, and formally handed over
• Verify that O&M HSE management systems are fully established, including HSE Plans, Safe Systems of Work, Permit-to-Work processes, and Emergency Response Plans aligned with operational risks and local requirements
• Ensure operational readiness by confirming that competence, training, and authorisation frameworks are in place and that emergency response arrangements are established and tested
• Ensure lessons learned from construction and commissioning are captured, communicated, and embedded into operational practices and procedures

Operational HSE Management (Post-Handover Ownership)

• Act as the HSE Manager for operating BESS assets, maintaining full responsibility for HSE performance, compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the operational phase
• Implement and maintain operational HSE management systems, ensuring risk assessments, Permit-to-Work systems, Safe Systems of Work, and Emergency Response Plans are actively applied, reviewed, and improved
• Monitor HSE performance through defined KPIs, inspections, audits, and contractor oversight, ensuring proactive identification and mitigation of risks
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, company standards, and ISO frameworks, including maintaining legal registers and supporting regulatory engagement

HSE Leadership, Support & Continuous Improvement

• Act as the primary HSE focal point for BESS projects, ensuring consistent application of the NPI HSE Management System across construction, commissioning, and operations
• Provide practical, solution-oriented HSE guidance aligned with regulatory requirements, company standards, and BESS-specific risks
• Monitor overall HSE performance and support the identification and closure of corrective actions across project and operational phases
• Provide oversight of incident investigations, ensuring quality root cause analysis and effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions
• Facilitate the capture and sharing of lessons learned and support continuous improvement of HSE management practices
• Support engagement with contractors, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities to ensure alignment on HSE expectations and compliance

Who You Are:

• Strong Communicator: You can clearly convey points to different audiences. You are also a good listener, which enhances your ability to intimately understand a situation and prepare an appropriate response.
• Methodical and organized: you naturally work in a methodical way and relish the opportunity to add structure and order to your work. This will help with the competing priorities you will be managing.

• Vigilant and Thorough: You maintain a sharp eye for detail in dynamic site environments, ensuring that safety observations, inspections, and documentation are accurate and of high quality.
• Practical and Proactive: You assess risks and HSE data with a solution-focused mindset, translating findings into clear, actionable improvements. You actively follow up with site teams to ensure corrective actions are completed and standards upheld.
• Independent: You are an independent thinker and naturally set your own timescales and milestones to ensure you meet your objectives. You know when you need to ask for help and are comfortable doing so.
• Flexible: You are agile in your approach to your work and enjoy working within a lean team
• Collaborative: You build relationships seamlessly, seeking diverse perspectives and fostering effective communication. Your collaborative approach encourages cross-functional sharing of information, creating a positive and inclusive environment that maximizes the strengths of our team.

What’s In It for You: 

Our employees are the driving force behind our achievements. We are unwavering in our commitment to not only recognise your contributions but also to empower you to excel in every aspect of your life. Here's a glimpse of why Northland is the place where you'll truly thrive: 

• Thoughtful benefits –A pension plan and health insurance are just a couple of the benefits you’ll have access to.

• Wellbeing first – Staying true to our taking care of ourselves and each other value, you will have access to our global Wellness Program. 

• Birthdays off – You will get your birthday off work so you can celebrate however you choose. This is a paid day off to do what is important to you! 

We hire talented and passionate people from different backgrounds. If you’re excited about a role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with this job description, we still encourage you to apply. Learn more about our diversity, inclusion and belonging commitments. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of HSE experience, with a strong focus on construction, commissioning, and/or operations within energy or industrial infrastructure projects (BESS, renewables, power generation, or utilities)
• Proven experience working in Poland-based construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience in contractor (EPCI) HSE management environments, including oversight of multiple contractors, subcontractors, and OEMs on active construction sites.
• Proven experience in operational HSE management, including implementation of HSE systems within operating assets.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of ISO management systems (ISO 45001 / ISO 14001) within both project and operational environments
• Ability to translate legal and technical requirements into practical, site-applicable solutions, aligned with local regulatory expectations and contractor delivery models
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and matrix organisations, interfacing with project, construction, and operations teams
• Fluent in English and Polish (preferred / strongly advantageous depending on candidate pool)
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regularly to project sites across Poland.

This document is a guide. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the jobs as described herein are not inclusive and are subject to change.

Northland Power is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and accessible environment. As part of our commitment we work to ensure our application process is accessible to all candidates. If you require special assistance or accommodation during the hiring process, please notify a member of the HR Department.

 

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