Director of Health, Safety & Environmental

Director Of Health, Safety & Environmental

The Director of Health, Safety & Environmental is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive safety and regulatory compliance strategy across the organization. This role ensures that safety programs, policies, and culture are fully integrated into daily operations and aligned with corporate goals. The Director provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight to ensure a proactive, compliant, and continuously improving EHS environment that protects employees, assets, and operations.

Accountabilities

Lead the design and execution of corporate EHS strategies, programs, and policies that align with business and regulatory requirements.

Partner with executives, operations, and engineering leaders to integrate safety and regulatory compliance into operational planning, production, and project execution.

Establish short- and long-term EHS objectives, metrics, and performance indicators to track progress and continuous improvement.

Provide strategic oversight of regional or site EHS Managers to ensure consistent implementation and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

Drive a proactive safety culture by using leading and lagging indicators to identify trends and prevent incidents.

Oversee the development of compliance audits, risk assessments, and corrective action programs across facilities.

Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including air permitting and reporting requirements.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and data-driven methodologies to elevate safety performance across all operations.

Champion organization-wide safety communication strategies that reinforce accountability and empower employees at all levels.

Oversee the development and delivery of safety training, onboarding, and leadership education programs that enhance awareness and capability.

Facilitate executive-level safety reviews and site leadership briefings to ensure alignment on safety performance and priorities.

Foster employee engagement through recognition, participation in safety committees, and transparent reporting practices.

Lead major incident investigations and root-cause analyses, ensuring thorough documentation, reporting, and follow-up of corrective actions.

Oversee emergency response programs, drills, and crisis management planning for all facilities.

Provide leadership in the coordination of first aid, CPR, and emergency response programs, ensuring readiness and compliance.

Collaborate with HR and operations to manage workers' compensation cases, medical response, and incident documentation.

Oversee accurate reporting of safety metrics, regulatory filings, and corporate KPIs to leadership and regulatory agencies.

Manage enterprise safety systems (LMS, SMS) and ensure consistency in safety recordkeeping and compliance documentation.

Analyze safety data to identify risks, trends, and opportunities for innovation in risk prevention and mitigation.

Attributes

Safety First : Champions a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture where every decision and action prioritizes employee well-being and operational integrity.

Have Humanity : Leads with empathy and respect, fostering trust through open communication and genuine concern for the health and safety of every team member.

Be Transparent : Communicates safety goals, expectations, and results clearly and proactively across all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment and accountability.

Drive Innovation : Continuously seeks new technologies, training methods, and process improvements to enhance workplace safety and reduce risk exposure.

Be Resilient : Navigates high-pressure situations with composure, adapting to challenges while maintaining focus on safety excellence and operational continuity.

Always Reliable : Demonstrates consistency, integrity, and dependability in all safety initiatives, ensuring compliance and trust throughout the organization.

Grit : Shows determination and ownership in driving continuous improvement, achieving ambitious safety goals, and sustaining long-term cultural change.

Required Knowledge / Experience

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Industrial Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field (required).

810 years of progressive safety management experience, including multi-site leadership; at least 3 years in a senior management or director-level role.

OSHA 30 certification required; CSP, ASP, or CHST certification preferred.

Proven track record of developing and leading high-performing safety teams in industrial, manufacturing, or construction environments.

Strong understanding of OSHA General Industry and Construction standards, environmental permitting, and related compliance frameworks.

Demonstrated ability to analyze safety and compliance data and implement effective improvement strategies.

Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills with the ability to influence at all levels.

Ability to respond to emergencies, lead investigations, and implement corrective actions with urgency and professionalism.

Willingness to travel as needed across sites to support safety and compliance audits, training, and leadership development.

Supervisory Requirements

Direct oversight of Environmental Health and Safety Managers at multiple sites.

Responsible for hiring, performance management, training, and team development within the EHS function.