Senior Operational Safety Lead – WA Network

A key leadership role within the Project Management Office, responsible for leading and strengthening WHS capability across Perth Airport projects.

The WHS Manager Projects builds a connected and capable project WHS team, providing clear direction, coaching and practical support so team members can perform effectively and continue to develop.

The role supports project establishment and mobilisation, helping project teams embed PAPL WHS requirements, updated procedures, programs and tools from the outset. It provides expert advice, assurance and oversight across the project lifecycle, including safety in design, risk management, contractor management and continuous improvement, to enable safe and consistent project delivery.

Major Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

- Creates an inclusive, accountable WHS team with clear priorities, roles and expectations.
- Builds capability through coaching, feedback, development planning, knowledge sharing and targeted upskilling.
- Supports effective onboarding and integration of new WHS team members.
- Promotes collaboration, consistency and sharing of lessons and resources across projects.
- Monitors team capacity and wellbeing, addressing resourcing and capability gaps.
- Influences project and senior leaders to demonstrate visible WHS leadership and accountability.

WHS Systems, Programs and Improvement

- Leads implementation of PAPL WHS procedures, systems, programs, and tools across the project portfolio.
- Translates corporate WHS requirements into practical project arrangements and guidance.
- Monitors implementation and provides coaching or corrective support where required.
- Supports identification of WHS risks, effective controls and improvement priorities using assurance findings and performance data.

Project Planning and Delivery

- Defines WHS requirements, accountabilities, interfaces, and assurance activities during project establishment and mobilisation.
- Embeds WHS requirements into planning, design, procurement, contractor engagement and delivery.
- Reviews WHS plans and key documentation for alignment with PAPL requirements and project risks.
- Provides practical WHS advice and supports safety in design, risk reviews, readiness assessments and governance activities.

Contractor Management

- Embeds PAPL contractor WHS requirements throughout procurement, onboarding, mobilisation, delivery and close-out.
- Clarifies WHS accountabilities between PAPL, principal contractors and contractors.
- Supports contractor evaluation and assurance to verify effective implementation of WHS plans and controls.
- Works with contractors and project leaders to address gaps and share lessons across the portfolio.

Governance, Compliance and Assurance

- Maintains alignment with applicable WHS legislation, codes of practice and PAPL requirements.
- Oversees WHS inspections, audits, assurance activities and action close-out.
- Provides leadership with assurance on compliance, material risks, gaps and required actions.




- Supports consistent WHS governance, reporting and escalation across projects.

Incident, Injury and Wellbeing Management

- Leads or supports significant and high-potential event investigations, addressing underlying causes and sharing lessons.
- Supports consistent injury management, occupational health, hygiene, drug and alcohol, and worker wellbeing requirements.
- Uses incident and wellbeing trends to strengthen planning and risk controls.

Reporting and Continuous Improvement

- Develops WHS business plans and portfolio improvement priorities.
- Provides clear WHS reports, dashboards and insights to leadership.
- Uses performance indicators, assurance findings and lessons learned to guide priorities and resources.
- Promotes practical, innovative and lean WHS improvements.
- Manages WHS budgets and resources within approved requirements.

Education and Experience Requirements

- Relevant tertiary qualification in Work Health and Safety or a related discipline, with demonstrated professional competence and leadership capability.
- Proven experience leading and developing WHS teams within complex project, construction or infrastructure environments ideally within an aviation environment.
- Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and build capability across WHS professionals and operational leaders.
- Strong experience supporting project establishment, mobilisation and contractor management from a client or principal perspective.
- Strong working knowledge of contemporary WHS practices, risk and critical control management, assurance and audit processes.
- Demonstrated experience implementing and embedding WHS procedures, programs, systems and digital tools across multiple projects.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate requirements into clear, practical expectations and influence diverse stakeholders.
- Thorough working knowledge of current WHS legislation and relevant codes of practice.
- ICAM accreditation, or equivalent investigation capability, with practical experience leading complex incident investigations.
- Experience applying Lean principles or continuous improvement methods within WHS or project delivery is highly regarded.

Required Knowledge and Skills

- Builds Effective Teams: Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. For example, holds constructive dialogue with the team regularly; takes multiple perspectives into account when making decisions. Develops people to meet both their career goals and the organisation's goals. Provides constructive feedback and other support for other people's development.




- Communicates Effectively - Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, disseminates knowledge, insights, and updates in a polished, exact, and compelling manner. Creates rich documents and reports which have clear, practical expectations and explains why they matter.
- Collaborates - Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, enlists a range of stakeholders to add value; ensures they are well informed and surprises are avoided. Confronts and challenges "us vs. them"; shows strong appreciation for others' efforts toward shared goals.
- Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, tracks performance and strives to remain effective, learning from both successes and failures. Readily takes on challenges or difficult tasks and has reputation for delivering on commitments.
- Manages Complexity - Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to plan and prioritise work and effectively solve problems. For example, looks at complex issues from multiple angles; explores issues to uncover underlying issues and root causes; sees the main consequences and implications of different options.
- Optimises Work Processes: Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, pays close attention to a variety of metrics and benchmarks; determines both major and subtle ways to optimise processes. Swiftly resolves process breakdowns; takes steps to ensure that problems do not recur.

Total Rewards/Benefits

For decades, Bechtel has worked to inspire the next generation of employees and beyond! Because our teams face some of the world's toughest challenges, we offer robust benefits to ensure our people thrive. Whether it is advancing careers, delivering programs to enhance our culture, or providing time to recharge, Bechtel has the benefits to build a legacy of sustainable growth. Learn more at Bechtel Total Rewards

Diverse teams build the extraordinary

As a global company, Bechtel has long been home to a vibrant multitude of nationalities, cultures, ethnicities, and life experiences. This diversity has made us a more trusted partner, more effective problem solvers and innovators, and a more attractive destination for leading talent.

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e-mail their request.

📌 Senior Operational Safety Lead - Wa Network (Travel) (Western Australia)
🏢 Cbh Group
📍 Western Australia