Director of Environmental Health and Safety

The Director of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) provides enterprise‑wide leadership for all environmental, health, and safety functions across the organization. This role is responsible for setting the EHS vision, establishing long‑term strategy, and ensuring regulatory compliance while advancing a strong, proactive safety culture aligned with operational realities.

Reporting to executive leadership, the Director partners closely with Operations, Human Resources, and functional leaders to integrate EHS into business planning, decision‑making, and daily execution. The Director provides strategic oversight of the EHS function, ensures consistent program implementation across all worksites, and leads the development and performance of EHS personnel.

This role is strategic, consultative, and influence‑driven, requiring strong regulatory expertise, business acumen, and the ability to engage leaders and associates at every level of the organization.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic EHS Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s multi‑year EHS strategy aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Establish the EHS vision, priorities, performance expectations, and success measures for the organization
• Provide executive‑level leadership and guidance on EHS matters impacting operational risk and business performance
• Monitor regulatory changes and industry trends; proactively adapt corporate EHS programs and policies
• Serve as the senior subject‑matter expert for OSHA, EPA, and applicable state and federal regulations
  
  

Program Oversight & Governance

• Oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of standardized EHS programs across all business units
• Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis, audits, trend reviews, and leading/lagging indicators
• Ensure consistency, accountability, and alignment of EHS practices company‑wide
• Lead corporate EHS governance forums, cross‑functional committees, and strategic safety initiatives
• Ensure environmental compliance requirements (waste handling, reporting, spill control, permitting) are maintained
  
  

Leadership of EHS Operations

• Provide strategic oversight and senior‑level review of high‑risk work activities, critical hazards, and complex operational challenges
• Support escalation of sensitive or high‑impact EHS issues requiring executive involvement
• Conduct leadership safety walks, field observations, and program assurance reviews
• Provide direction and guidance during regulatory inspections, investigations, and major projects
  
  

Culture & Organizational Engagement

• Champion a positive, proactive, and accountable safety culture across the organization
• Engage senior leaders and field teams in safety expectations, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Communicate EHS performance, priorities, and emerging risks to executive leadership and the broader organization
• Reinforce accountability through leadership presence, consistent messaging, and visible commitment
  
  

Training & Capability Development

• Set strategic direction for corporate EHS training standards and role‑based learning paths
• Ensure all regulatory and role‑specific training requirements are met across the organization
• Guide the development, delivery, and evaluation of EHS training effectiveness
• Develop and mentor EHS professionals to strengthen technical expertise and leadership depth
  
  

Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee OSHA recordkeeping accuracy and regulatory reporting requirements
• Review EHS KPIs, incident trends, and leading indicators to identify systemic risks
• Present EHS performance updates and strategic recommendations to executive leadership
• Lead enterprise initiatives to reduce incident rates, improve environmental compliance, and enhance operational safety
• Evaluate new technologies and tools that strengthen EHS systems and execution
  
  

Resource & Budget Oversight

• Develop and manage the EHS budget
• Ensure EHS resources are aligned to the highest‑risk operations and strategic priorities
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides leadership, performance management, coaching, and development for the EHS team
• Ensures EHS resources are effectively deployed to support operational needs
• Builds organizational capability and succession within the EHS function
  
  

Qualifications

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive EHS leadership experience in a construction, HVAC, or building services environment
• Demonstrated success building, scaling, or maturing EHS programs in operationally complex organizations
• Strong background in regulatory compliance, incident management, and risk mitigation
• Proven ability to partner with executive teams and influence leaders at all levels
  
  

Certifications

Required

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or equivalent senior‑level safety credential
  
  

Preferred

• Environmental or industrial hygiene certifications
• Experience overseeing OSHA Outreach programs, environmental compliance activities, and HAZWOPER‑covered operations
• Working knowledge of ISO management system principles
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field preferred
• Equivalent combination of education, CSP certification, and progressive EHS leadership experience will be considered
  
  

Technical & Leadership Competencies

• Expert knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and applicable state regulations
• Strong regulatory interpretation, audit, and risk assessment capability
• Data‑driven decision‑making using EHS metrics and trend analysis
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills
• High integrity, sound judgment, and ability to manage complex priorities
  
  

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Regular presence at active construction and service job sites
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, and work in dynamic field environments
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and wear required PPE
• Field‑based role with travel to worksites as needed (20–50% field presence)
• Exposure to mechanical rooms, outdoor conditions, noise, electrical hazards, heights, and confined spaces