Director of Safety

Job Description

Job Description

About Your Opportunity:
The Director of Safety leads the strategic direction, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness of Wohlsen Construction's Safety and Health Program.

This role serves as a key member of the Company's Risk Management leadership team and is accountable for advancing a culture where safety is recognized as a core business value and integrated into every aspect of planning, decision-making, and project execution.

Working in partnership with the VP of Risk Management & Senior Counsel, the Director of Safety leads the development of safety strategy, organizational capabilities, leadership accountability, and risk mitigation initiatives designed to protect our people, strengthen operational performance, support sustainable growth, and enhance the Company's reputation as an industry leader in safety excellence. The role leads through influence, collaboration, and leadership development rather than day-to-day project oversight.

How You'll Contribute:

Safety Vision, Strategy & Culture

• Develop and execute the Company's safety vision, strategy, long-term objectives, policies, standards, and management systems. 
• Champion the Wohlsen Way of Safety and embed safety as a core business value across planning, decision-making, and project execution. 
• Promote a proactive, learning-focused culture with clear leadership ownership and accountability at every level. 

Enterprise Risk Management Partnership

• Partner with the VP of Risk Management & Senior Counsel to align safety strategy with the Company's broader risk management objectives.
• Establish and evaluate leading and lagging indicators, analyze incident and loss trends, and use data to guide priorities and resource allocation.
• Identify emerging and systemic risks and lead enterprise corrective, preventive, and lessons-learned initiatives.
• Present performance data, strategic initiatives, and emerging risks to executive and operational leadership.
• Influence organizational decision-making by incorporating safety considerations into business planning and operations, fostering an environment of risk-informed leadership.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Safety Department with clear expectations, accountability, development plans, and succession strategies.
• Deploy Safety Department resources effectively in response to business priorities and organizational risk.
• Lead annual safety planning and establish measurable objectives aligned with company strategic initiatives.
• Build safety leadership capability among executives, operational leaders, project managers, and superintendents. 
• Provide leadership and guidance during significant incidents, regulatory investigations, and crisis response activities. 

Program Development & Governance

• Establish and maintain company-wide safety policies, standards, management systems, and best practices.
• Ensure organizational compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining focus on proactive risk reduction and operational excellence.
• Evaluate and implement safety technologies, systems, and processes that improve organizational performance and efficiency.
• Lead fleet safety efforts, including driver expectations, training, vehicle incident review, telematics and trend analysis, collision prevention, and corrective action initiatives.
• Coordinate with Risk Management and Human Resources regarding workers' compensation, return-to-work, regulatory reporting, and related matters, as appropriate.

Performance Management

• Establish, monitor, and evaluate key performance indicators, leading indicators, and organizational safety metrics. 
• Utilize safety data and trend analysis to guide strategic decision-making and resource allocation. 
• Develop and maintain a robust “lessons learned” program.
• Evaluate effectiveness of safety programs, initiatives, and organizational interventions.

Operational & Trade Partner Partnership

• Partner with Operations to integrate safety into project planning, staffing, scheduling, logistics, and execution. 
• Collaborate with regional and project leaders to strengthen engagement, accountability, and consistent execution across operating regions. 
• Establish safety expectations for trade partners and provide leadership for safety prequalification and risk management oversight. 
• Partner with Operations and Human Resources to address significant safety trends, conduct concerns, and disciplinary matters. 

Industry Leadership & External Engagement

• Represent Wohlsen Construction with clients, industry associations, regulatory agencies, insurance partners, and professional organizations.
• Develop strategic client safety partnerships and partnerships with external organizations to ensure best in class practices. 
• Monitor emerging trends, technologies, regulatory developments, and industry best practices.
• Enhance the Company's reputation as a leader in construction safety and operational excellence.
• Support recognition programs, industry awards, and external benchmarking initiatives.

Relationships

• Reports directly to the VP of Risk Management & Senior Counsel.
• Leads the Company's Safety Department.
• Directly supervises Safety & Health Managers and other Safety positions, as appropriate
• Partners closely with Company Leadership, Operations, and Risk Management.

Authority

• Hire, train, promote and terminate direct reports with prior discussion with Human Resources & Supervisor. Assign and rebalance safety staffing across Company. 
• Ensure the organization is in compliance with industry, state, and company related safety guidelines and policies.
• Enforce safety program with Wohlsen teammates and trade partners, in collaboration with Human Resources, supervisory staff, and operational personnel, as appropriate.

Accountability

• Advance and sustain Wohlsen's Core Value of Safety throughout the organization.
• Develop and execute a safety strategy that supports business objectives, strengthens organizational safety culture, and leadership accountability.
• Build and maintain a high-performing Safety Department.
• Drive measurable improvement in safety performance, risk reduction, leadership behaviors, and operational execution across all regions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Safety & Health, Construction Management, Engineering, Risk Management, or related field required. Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive construction safety leadership experience, including 5 years of experience leading and developing safety professionals.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating organizational safety strategies, safety culture and organizational change.
• CSP, CHST, ASP, or equivalent certification required. OSHA 500 and additional leadership, risk management, or construction-related certifications preferred.
• Advanced understanding of occupational safety and health management systems, construction operations, project delivery, and risk management principles.
• Experience with digital safety management tools (e.g. Procore Safety)
• Executive-level communication, facilitation, strategic thinking, business acumen, and coaching skills.

Physical Requirements:
In a normal day, this position requires the employee must be able to stand, sit, walk, and drive for 4-6 hours. Employee must be able to lift/carry up to 50 lbs. maximum; frequently lift/carry up to 25lbs. In this position, employee must be able to use his/her upper extremities for repetitive simple grasping, pushing/pulling, and fine manipulation. In this position, employee frequently (34-66%) must be able to bend at waist, squat the knees, climb (including ladders), reach above shoulders, kneel, crawl, use feet (foot controls), and/or work at heights above 6 feet.

Safety Sensitive Position :
This position is identified as Safety‑Sensitive and includes duties that directly affect the safety and well‑being of team members, subcontractors, and the public.

*Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations: Wohlsen does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our website, locations, or to any Wohlsen team member. Wohlsen will not pay fees to any third-party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Wohlsen and will be processed accordingly.

It is the policy of Wohlsen Construction to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This policy relates to all phases of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, employment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, reduction of workforce and termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, the use of all facilities, and participation in all company-sponsored employee activities.

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and Wohlsen Construction may exercise its employment at-will rights at any time.

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