Associate Director ESH&Q

The European Spallation Source, ESS, is hiring motivated and inspired people to design, construct and operate the world’s most powerful neutron source. We seek ambitious, talented people in a range of fields who are excited about playing a part in the future of science in Europe. ESS is based in Lund in Sweden and is a partnership of 13 European countries. We offer passionate and international colleagues, a vibrant melting pot of diversity, and a challenging, exciting and high paced work environment. We value and need expertise, innovative minds and great ways of leading and interacting with people from all over the world.

ESS is now looking for a new associate director for environment, safety, health and quality.

The ESH&Q directorate is responsible for developing and maintaining ESS’s strategy for environment, safety, health and quality. In particular the regulatory compliance strategy, developing an ESS safety, security and quality culture including the continuous improvement of related programmes and activities, as well as the coordination of licensing activities and contacts with the host state(s) in ESH&Q matters. The directorate develops, supports, monitors and assures the implementation of policies, rules, processes, objectives and best practices at all levels of the organisation in matters of ESH&Q.

Job description

The associate director for ESH&Q will be responsible for developing and maintaining the strategy for the directorate and managing its staff. Specific responsibilities for the divisions within the directorate include:

• Environment, safety and health (ESH) – interpreting national and international regulations, standards and best practices as well as providing expert support in risk assessment, risk mitigation and risk control; environmental monitoring; radiation protection incl. radioactive waste handling; training as well as monitoring of ESH compliance.
• Quality – developing and maintaining an integrated management system, interpreting national regulations, international standards and best practices, providing expert support in quality assurance and quality control to the organisation and to ESS’s in-kind partners, performing quality inspections and training in quality-related areas.
• Responsibility for the licensing processes for permits including contacts with the authorities, in particular the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSM); interpreting host state laws and licensing conditions, standards and best practices, and coordinating all related ESS activities.
• Security, both physical security and information security; crisis management and emergency response coordination.

As associate director you will lead and mentor an international team of close to 40 highly skilled individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds. You will work with the ESS technical organizations to develop and implement the optimum strategy for ESS. Your goal should be to further develop and embed a safety, security and quality culture across ESS where all staff take personal responsibility for ensuring ESH&Q programs to support the ESS mission.

You will serve as the spokesperson for ESS on ESH&Q topics, and must concisely identify issues, evaluate alternatives to be considered. You will be a member of the ESS executive team and contribute to the overall management of the project. You will work with our external Environmental, Safety, and Health Advisory Committee (ESHAC) to identify opportunities to improve programs and establish priorities for upcoming activities. You will report to General Director for ESS.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have:

• An advanced degree in science or engineering.
• At least 10 years’ experience in developing ESH&Q programs at a major R&D facility or project, either in the public or private sector.
• Experience of more than one such facility would be an advantage.
• Proven experience in leadership, including leading and developing teams and experience in leading a management team.
• Experience in a facility with a similar diverse hazard inventory to ESS, for example a high-power accelerator laboratory or a neutron science facility would be an advantage.
• Experience of working in an international environment is essential.
• Excellent oral and written English skills are a prerequisite; knowledge of other European languages would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Duration and location

Start date

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, estimated start date 1 August, 2021.

Application and contact

Please provide your curriculum vitae in English by clicking on “apply” and follow the instructions. Please note that we only accept applications via the ESS website.

For this role, ESS health check-ups and security clearance are required, and will be applicable in the final part of the recruitment process.

The deadline for applications is February 18, 2021.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link. For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Officer, Karin Vandenborre, karin.vandenborre@ess.eu.

For trade union information please contact Unionen / Conny Wendt at +46 46 888 34 63 or SACO / Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers/ Riccardo Bevilacqua at +46 46 888 32 28.

We look forward to receiving your application!