Director, Safety

About Company

Elford, Inc. is a family and community-oriented company embracing the core values of trustworthiness, building lasting relationships, building our community, working hard/smart, and continually learning. Since 1910, our employees have invested more than 15 million hours in building projects that have shaped central Ohio and the Midwest. Every employee can take pride in these structures and in the relationships we have built with scores of companies and organizations. Strong relationships and open communication between management, staff, and field personnel allow us to provide our clients with the highest level of service. Over 85% of our work is for repeat clients, which is due to our policy of doing what is best for the owner; satisfied customers lead to long-term business relationships. Elford owes our success to our employees and have developed award and recognition programs to honor them for their hard work and dedication.

Position Overview

The Director of Safety is responsible for leading and advancing Elford's safety strategy to ensure a safe and compliant work environment for all employees, subcontractors, and project teams. This role drives the development, implementation, and oversight of company-wide safety programs, policies, training initiatives, and regulatory compliance efforts while promoting a proactive safety culture rooted in accountability, prevention, and continuous improvement. The Director of Safety partners closely with Operations, Field Leadership, and Executive Leadership to identify risks, strengthen safety performance, and support project success across all phases of construction. This position also serves as a key leader during critical incidents and emergencies, ensuring effective response coordination, communication, and compliance with all organizational and regulatory standards.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, implements, and maintains comprehensive safety programs, policies, procedures, and compliance initiatives that align with OSHA regulations, company standards, and industry best practices.
• Leads, manages, mentors, and develops the Safety team by establishing clear expectations, driving accountability, and supporting professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Designs, coordinates, facilitates, and tracks safety training programs for field and office employees, including orientation programs, certifications, and ongoing educational initiatives.
• Leads investigations involving accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses to determine root causes and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Conducts regular jobsite safety inspections, audits, and risk assessments to identify hazards, ensure compliance, and reinforce safe work practices.
• Partners closely with Project Management and Field Operations teams to proactively promote and strengthen Elford's safety culture across all projects and offices.
• Participates in preconstruction and project planning meetings for high-risk or complex projects to provide guidance related to safety planning and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborates with project teams to develop and implement site-specific safety plans tailored to project scope, risks, and operational requirements.
• Tracks, analyzes, and reports safety metrics, trends, and performance indicators to support continuous improvement initiatives and proactive risk management.
• Provides leadership and direction during safety incidents, emergencies, or crisis situations by serving as the incident commander and coordinating response efforts to protect personnel, property, and company operations.
• Serves as the company spokesperson during emergencies or incidents that require public communication or external stakeholder engagement.
• Ensures compliance with all company safety standards, processes, reporting requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of construction safety leadership experience and industry knowledge will also be considered.

Certifications

• OSHA 30 or OSHA 500 required
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or similar professional certification preferred but not required

Skills

• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, workers' compensation processes, risk management practices, and construction safety standards.
• Proven ability to lead safety initiatives across multiple projects and operational teams within a construction environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead investigations, analyze trends, and implement proactive corrective actions and preventative measures.
• Experience developing and facilitating safety training and educational programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Autodesk, and construction-related technology platforms.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.