Corporate Safety Manager - Power Transmission and Distribution

Summary

The Corporate Safety Manager – Power Transmission & Distribution (T&D) represents Corporate Safety across Phillips Power, ensuring effective integration of the company’s Safety Management System (SMS) and consistent application of electrical and high-voltage safety programs. This role provides expert oversight into the unique risks associated with energized work, substation construction, and transmission/distribution operations.

While the primary focus is on Power T&D operations, the Corporate Safety Manager also supports other operating companies including Heavy Civil, Environmental, and Fleet to ensure corporate alignment, audit consistency, and shared learning across the enterprise. This cross-functional engagement helps maintain one standard of excellence in safety performance and SMS execution throughout the organization.

The position is based at the Knoxville, TN corporate office and requires significant travel to field locations nationwide. The role reports directly to the Corporate Director of Safety and collaborates closely with senior leadership, project teams, and other OpCo safety leaders to assess risk, strengthen controls, and drive continuous improvement across all business lines.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead Electrical and High-Risk Program Oversight: Own and manage specialized safety programs involving electrical, arc-flash, grounding/bonding, and high-voltage energy control hazards.
• Assessments and Audits: Conduct comprehensive audits to verify compliance with the Corporate EH&S Program Manual, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and NFPA 70E standards. Generate reports, track findings, follow-up actions, performance metrics and collaborate with leadership to address and resolve identified hazards.
• Incident and Root Cause Analysis: Participate in and review investigations of Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) potential incidents, near misses, and other safety events. Support continuous learning through data-driven cause analysis and trend reviews. Provide insights into incident causation and recommend improvements, including changes to programs and procedures.
• Strategic Integration: Partner with senior leadership to implement and evaluate the SMS framework, focusing on high-risk operations, energy isolation, and field execution quality.
• Regulatory and Client Interface: Support prequalification, pre-bid, and client safety reviews. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including OSHA, DOT, EPA, and state-specific requirements.
• Support EH&S Policy Development: Serve as a resource for developing corporate EH&S policies and procedures, contributing to the continuous improvement of safety programs.
• Manage Corporate Safety Accounts: Oversee and maintain corporate safety platforms, such as safetyreports.com, MSDS online, and other related systems.
• Leadership Liaison: Serve as the primary safety liaison to Power operating company leadership. Participate in performance reviews, safety summits, and improvement initiatives.
• Identify Program Improvements: Evaluate the EH&S Program Manual and provide recommendations for ongoing improvements to enhance safety practices.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned.
  
  

Education/Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Technology, Power Systems Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of safety experience in the construction industry, with at least 5 years directly supporting Power Transmission, Distribution, or Substation operations.
• Required Certifications (or ability to obtain within 12 months):
• CUSP (Certified Utility Safety Professional)
• CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician)
• NFPA 70E Qualified Worker certification or equivalent third-party electrical safety training
• Preferred:
• CSP (Certified Safety Professional) or SMP (Safety Management Professional)
• OSHA 500 (Construction Outreach Trainer) and/or OSHA 3095 (Electrical Standards)
  
  

OR

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive safety experience in the construction industry, with 7 years dedicated to Power Transmission, Distribution, or Substation operations.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in high-voltage work, switching, grounding, bonding, and energized work procedures.
• Required Certifications (or ability to obtain within 12 months):
• CUSP (Certified Utility Safety Professional)
• SMP (Safety Management Professional)
• NFPA 70E Qualified Worker certification or equivalent third-party electrical safety training
• Preferred:
• CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
• OSHA 500 (Construction Outreach Trainer) and/or OSHA 3095 (Electrical Standards)
  
  

Requirements

• Industry Expertise: Extensive experience in Power Transmission & Distribution operations, including substations, overhead and underground line construction, switching and tagging, grounding, and energized work. Demonstrated ability to evaluate and manage electrical hazards across varying utility construction environments and delivery models.
• Technical Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of OSHA 1926 Subpart V, OSHA 1910.269, and NFPA 70E electrical safety requirements, including energized work practices, system grounding and bonding, isolation and clearance procedures, arc-flash hazard analysis, and personal protective grounding methods. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply technical electrical safety principles to construction, maintenance, and commissioning operations.
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead through influence across multiple operating companies, aligning diverse project teams with corporate standards and strategic objectives. Skilled in implementing safety management systems, coaching senior leaders, and driving accountability through metrics and audit findings.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to executives, clients, and field personnel. Experienced in facilitating high-level meetings, developing executive reports, and representing Corporate Safety in client and regulatory forums.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft 365 Suite, Power BI, and safety management platforms (e.g., Safety Reports, ISNetworld, Avetta). Experience integrating data analytics and performance dashboards to monitor leading and lagging indicators.
• Location: Must live in, or be willing to relocate to, the Knoxville TN area, or be based within a reasonable travel distance.
  
  

Candidates that accept an offer of employment are required to undergo and successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. This exam is essential to ensure that all potential employees meet the necessary health and fitness standards for the role. The examination includes a series of tests and evaluations conducted by a certified medical professional to assess overall physical health, identify any potential medical conditions that could interfere with job performance, and verify that the candidate is capable of safely performing the essential duties of the position.

Completion and clearance of this physical are mandatory steps in the hiring process.

• Travel Requirement: Extensive travel is required (approximately 60-75%) across multiple project sites throughout the country.