Job Summary: Health and Safety Director – January 2026
A Health and Safety Director or EHS Director — Environmental Health & Safety, is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing an organization's overall health, safety, and environmental compliance programs. This position ensures a safe workplace, minimizes risks, prevents accidents and illnesses, and maintains full compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Key Responsibilities
\- Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive health and safety policies, procedures, and programs to align with federal, state, local, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, ISO standards).
\- Conduct or oversee risk assessments, hazard identifications, job safety analyses, and workplace inspections/audits to identify potential dangers and implement corrective/preventive controls.
\- Lead incident and accident investigations, root cause analyses, and the development of corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.
\- Design and deliver safety training programs, awareness initiatives, and emergency response drills for employees at all levels, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard communication, and emergency protocols.
\- Promote a strong safety culture throughout the organization through leadership, communication, and engagement with employees, management, and stakeholders.
\- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs, track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as incident rates, near-misses, and compliance metrics, and prepare regular reports for leadership and regulatory bodies.
\- Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental laws; manage permits, inspections, and interactions with regulatory agencies.
\- Manage the health and safety budget, resources, and any related vendors or consultants.
\- Oversee environmental aspects (in EHS-focused roles), such as waste management, hazardous materials handling, emissions, and sustainability initiatives.
\- Collaborate with HR, operations, legal, and other departments on safety-related matters, including return-to-work programs, workers' compensation, and ergonomics.
\- Stay current on emerging regulations, best practices, and industry trends, and recommend updates to company policies as needed.
Qualifications and Requirements
\- Education: Bachelor's degree (required) in occupational health & safety, environmental science, engineering, industrial hygiene, or a related field. A Master's degree is often preferred for senior roles.
\- Certifications:
\- CSP (Certified Safety Professional)
\- CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
\- CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager)
\- OSHA 30-hour certification or equivalent
\- Other relevant designations (e.g., NEBOSH for international roles)
\- Experience: 8–15+ years in health/safety roles, with at least 5+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity. Experience in the specific industry (e.g., manufacturing, construction, energy, healthcare, or higher education) is frequently required.
\- Skills:
\- Strong leadership and team management abilities
\- Excellent knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance strategies
\- Analytical skills for risk assessment and data-driven decision-making
\- Communication and training/presentation skills
\- Project management and problem-solving capabilities
\- Proficiency with safety management software, Microsoft Office, and reporting tools
More details available