Health and Safety Director

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