National Director of Safety

National Director of Safety

Department: Safety

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chicago, IL

Description

At W.E. O’Neil Construction, we believe we build great relationships, we are lifelong learners, we are forthright, we own it, and we are One Team. Safety is foundational to how we operate, lead, and build.

We are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven National Director of Safety to lead and elevate our national safety program across multiple regions and operating companies. This executive leadership role is responsible for strengthening a proactive, people-first safety culture while ensuring consistency, accountability, compliance, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

The National Director of Safety will partner closely with executive leadership, operations teams, and field personnel to embed safety into every aspect of our business and reinforce our commitment to ensuring every employee goes home safely every day.

Position Summary

The National Director of Safety provides enterprise-wide leadership for all health, safety, and risk prevention initiatives across W.E. O’Neil Construction. This role develops and implements national safety strategies, standardizes policies and procedures, supports regional safety leadership, and drives continuous improvement through training, field engagement, data analysis, and operational partnership.

This leader will serve as both a strategic advisor and visible field presence, helping cultivate a “Build Right, Built Safe” culture across all regions and business units.

Key Responsibilities

The primary duties and responsibilities and of the National Director of Safety typically include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a unified national safety strategy aligned with company goals and operational priorities.
• Foster a culture where safety is viewed as a core value and condition of employment.
• Partner with regional presidents, operations leadership, and project teams to strengthen accountability and consistency nationwide.
• Represent W.E. O’Neil during client pursuits, industry engagements, and high-profile initiatives as the company’s safety leader.

Safety Program Development & Compliance

• Establish and maintain standardized safety policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, state-specific regulations, and client safety requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing incidents, claims, and high-risk exposures.
• Support incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.

Training & Culture

• Develop and oversee national safety training and education programs.
• Promote leadership engagement and field participation in safety initiatives.
• Facilitate communication of lessons learned, case studies, and emerging trends across the organization.
• Conduct regular site visits and safety walks to reinforce visibility, trust, and accountability.

Performance & Risk Management

• Monitor and analyze safety KPIs including TRIR, EMR, DART, near misses, and other leading indicators.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with operations, HR, and Risk Management teams to strengthen safety performance and claims management.
• Support subcontractor prequalification, compliance, and performance improvement initiatives.

Leadership & Partnership

• Provide functional leadership, mentorship, and support to regional and project safety professionals.
• Build strong partnerships with operations leadership to align safety and operational excellence.
• Help strengthen a One Team approach to safety across all operating companies and regions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive construction safety leadership experience, including multi-site or multi-region oversight.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, construction safety standards, and risk management practices.
• Experience leading safety strategy within a commercial construction or general contracting environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership, operations teams, and field personnel.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• Ability to travel nationally on a frequent basis.

What Sets You Apart

• You lead through influence, visibility, and partnership.
• You balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• You are passionate about building a culture where safety is integrated into daily decision-making.
• You thrive in collaborative environments and value accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• 100% ESOP
• Competitive Pay
• Bonus Program
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO/Sick
• 100% Life Insurance
• 401(K) with Match
• Student Debt Program

Physical Demands

Performance of the required duties will require physical ability to use construction personnel hoists, ability to climb ladders and negotiate work areas under construction, when visiting a WEO job site. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls, sit, talk and hear and stand throughout the workday.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in one of WEO’s California regional offices and on occasion may be required to visit the construction work site where the employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, high precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud.

These are considered the core responsibilities of the position. Employees are encouraged to reach beyond their current responsibilities in an effort to foster professional growth, but only as they are able to remain accountable for their core responsibilities.

Equal Employment

W.E. O’Neil is committed to an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and will make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or veteran status.