Ms Head will join from Network Rail where she was Director of Safety Strategy.
She led the strategic safety agenda focusing on technology, working practices, culture change, risk management and system safety.
With 16 years' experience, Ms Head has worked on both the client and contractor side of the industry across engineering schemes like the West Coast Route Modernisation Project and London's Crossrail.
Speaking on the appointment, HS2 Chief Executive Simon Kirby said: "Emma represents a hugely important addition to the HS2 team.
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"Her experience of driving through effective and lasting change on the existing rail network and her unfailing commitment to delivering the highest levels of safety for employees, passengers and local communities will be vital as we move closer to the start of construction in two years’ time."
Ms Head added: "HS2 is an exciting, ambitious and challenging project. It will be a catalyst for positive change both locally and nationally.
"But it will also provide a unique opportunity to build on our experience and learnings from the existing rail network, as well as relevant foreign experience, making health and safety the first consideration in everything we do.
"That means building the safest railway the UK has ever seen. Not just for our workforce and local communities during construction but also for the passengers, line side neighbours and employees during operation.
"The next two years will be crucial and I look forward to getting started."
(LM)
