HSE Manager

HSE Manager

Velto Renewables (Velto), a subsidiary of La Caisse (Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec), is looking for an HSE Manager (Health & Safety and Environment) to join its team in Madrid, Spain, and work closely with the CEO and the Senior Management Team.

Velto Renewables is a renewable energy independent power producer with a long-term asset ownership strategy. Established in 2020 and backed by the global investment group La Caisse, Velto Renewables is committed to contributing to the decarbonization of the global economy and the European energy transition by investing in and developing an international and multi-technology portfolio of renewable energy projects. Velto currently owns more than 320 MW of operating and under construction solar PV and wind projects in Spain and France, manages a 25% investment in a 630 MW offshore wind farm in the United Kingdom, develops 1+GW of greenfield projects in Iberia, and is seeking to grow its portfolio by becoming a local player in the countries and regions where it invests.

The HSE Manager has a pivotal role in developing, implementing and overseeing the HSE management system of our company and across our entire portfolio. He/she will be the corporate guarantor that our HSE standards are rigorously met, He/she will drive and monitor improvements in HSE across the portfolio as a key part of his/her role

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive HSE culture at the company applicable to all employees, sites, and value chain.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the corporate HSE management system in line with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards.
• Define and track leading and lagging HSE KPIs (e.g., TRIR, LTIFR, near-misses, audit findings, corrective actions) for the entire portfolio.
• Prepare and present comprehensive HSE performance reports to senior management and the Board of Directors
• Serve as leader and the primary contact and supervisor for HSE governance of all EPC and O&M contractors, and consultants.
• Establish a robust audit and inspection schedule to verify contractors' compliance with contractual HSE obligations, company policies, and all applicable regulations.
• Review and approve the HSE documentation of all potential providers and contractors during tender processes. Ensure HSE clauses in contracts are robust, clear, and enforceable.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of all national and local HSE regulations for each asset's location. Proactively identify emerging legislation and ensure corporate and contractor compliance.
• Lead or oversee the investigation of all significant HSE incidents, ensuring root cause analysis is performed and effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented. Lead & monitor subcontractor value chain activity on analysis.
• Conduct and review high-risk activity assessments (e.g., HV works, crane operations, blade repair, working at height) performed by EPC and O&M providers. Ensure robust risk mitigation plans are in place.
• Develop and deliver HSE training programs for internal staff. Influence and coach all providers and contractors' personnel to foster a pervasive and proactive safety culture across all sites.
• Support in the process of new acquisitions, during the due diligence process.

Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of HSE legal requirements in the region/s of operation.
• Direct, hands-on HSE experience in the renewable energy sector, specifically with utility-scale PV and/or Wind assets.
• Proven experience in managing and auditing third-party contractors, O&M, suppliers, or EPC partners.
• Strong data analysis skills to derive insights from HSE performance data.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clear, concise reports and present confidently to senior leadership.
• Must be autonomous and pro-active: develop own workstreams and work across many different functions.
• Continuous improvement mindset and a proactive attitude.

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, or a related scientific field.
• A recognized professional HSE certification (e.g., NEBOSH International Diploma, Certified Safety Professional - CSP, or European equivalent).
• 8+ years of progressive HSE experience, with at least 3 years in the renewable energy sector/IPPs in a leadership or senior advisory role.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing HSE management systems.
• Extensive experience with incident investigation (e.g., TapRoot, ICAM) and risk assessment methodologies.
• Expert-level skills in conducting HSE audits and site inspections. Certification as a Lead Auditor for ISO 45001 or 14001 is a significant advantage.