Director of Safety

Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: VP of Construction
Department: Safety

Job Summary

A leading commercial construction organization is seeking an experienced Director of Safety to lead its company-wide safety, health, and environmental programs.

This position will be responsible for developing and maintaining a proactive safety culture centered around training, communication, accountability, workforce development, and continuous improvement. The organization believes safety is driven by culture rather than compliance alone, with regulatory compliance serving as a natural outcome of a strong safety program.

The Director of Safety will have overall leadership and management accountability for the Safety Department, including the leadership, development, coaching, and performance of Site Safety Managers. This individual will work closely with executive leadership, operations, project teams, supervisors, and field employees to reduce hazards, prevent incidents, and promote safe and compliant jobsites.

A key measure of success will be maintaining an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) below industry standards, while strengthening employee safety, customer confidence, operational performance, and long-term company growth.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Department Accountability

• Provide leadership and management accountability for the Safety Department, including coaching, development, and performance management of Site Safety Managers.
• Develop and execute the organization's safety vision, strategy, annual objectives, priorities, metrics, and accountability systems.
• Serve as the subject matter expert on safety, health, environmental, and risk management matters.
• Partner with executive and operational leadership to maintain safety as a core business priority.
• Build a scalable safety organization capable of supporting continued company growth and geographic expansion.

Safety Culture & Workforce Development

• Champion a people-first safety culture built around personal responsibility, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Create an environment where employees are properly equipped and empowered to return home safely every day.
• Develop safety leadership capabilities across all levels of the organization, including laborers, operators, foremen, superintendents, project managers, and executives.
• Improve workforce knowledge and competency through education, mentoring, coaching, and leadership development.
• Encourage employees to identify hazards, report near misses, and actively participate in solving safety challenges.

Strategic Safety Program Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of company-wide safety, health, and environmental programs.
• Ensure safety programs meet or exceed OSHA and applicable regulatory requirements while supporting operational excellence.
• Establish and monitor leading and lagging safety indicators to measure performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop scalable safety systems, policies, and processes that support organizational growth.
• Integrate safety planning into project execution and ensure required documentation, records, and reporting are maintained.

Operational Risk Management & Field Excellence

• Ensure Site Safety Managers provide consistent and effective safety oversight across active construction projects.
• Establish standards for audits, inspections, observations, corrective actions, and hazard mitigation.
• Provide direction and oversight for high-risk construction activities, including concrete operations, rigging, excavation, fall protection, equipment operations, silica exposure, and confined spaces.
• Analyze project trends and identify systemic risks.
• Drive consistent execution of company safety standards across jobsites and project teams.

Training, Education & Competency Development

• Develop and oversee the organization's safety education and training strategy.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate safety training throughout their careers.
• Create development pathways for frontline employees, supervisors, and managers to improve safety knowledge and leadership capabilities.
• Partner with operations to identify competency gaps and implement targeted development plans.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and continuously improve training programs and workforce development initiatives.

Incident Prevention & Continuous Improvement

• Lead incident prevention efforts through proactive risk identification, trend analysis, and corrective action management.
• Ensure incidents, injuries, near misses, property damage events, and significant safety observations are thoroughly investigated.
• Oversee root-cause analysis and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Review safety performance data and present trends, findings, and recommendations to leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement throughout the organization's safety programs and field operations.

Risk Management, Insurance & Business Performance

• Partner with leadership, insurance providers, and external stakeholders to manage organizational risk.
• Develop strategies to maintain an EMR that consistently outperforms industry averages.
• Reduce financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with workplace incidents.
• Ensure safety performance supports the organization's ability to compete for premier projects and customers.
• Establish the organization as a recognized leader in construction safety excellence.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive construction safety leadership experience, including safety program development and management within commercial construction.
• OSHA 510 completion and OSHA 500 Authorized Construction Trainer certification, or the ability to obtain OSHA 510 within 6 months and OSHA 500 within 12 months of hire.
• Certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, or willingness and ability to obtain instructor certification within 6 months of hire.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, construction safety practices, risk management, incident investigation, and safety training methodologies.
• Proven experience leading, developing, coaching, and holding safety professionals and direct reports accountable.
• Demonstrated passion for employee development and the ability to educate, coach, and elevate workforce capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging training programs to diverse audiences.
• Ability and willingness to travel to support company operations, training, and jobsite activities.
• Valid driver's license and insurable driving record.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment background check.
• Ability to work safely in all weather conditions and within active construction environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
• Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST)
• Similar professional safety certification

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on safety leader and culture builder who can operate effectively at both the executive and jobsite levels. This person should be comfortable developing strategy while also spending time in the field, coaching safety professionals, engaging with operations, and building relationships with employees at every level.

The successful candidate will bring strong construction safety expertise, leadership ability, communication skills, and a genuine commitment to developing people and creating a safety-first culture.