Director of Safety & Risk Management

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Safety Leadership & Program Management

· Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the company’s comprehensive Health and Safety Program.
· Lead company-wide safety strategy, initiatives, annual goals, metrics, and performance indicators.
· Promote a culture of safety through leadership, accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement.
· Conduct executive safety audits, jobsite inspections, and periodic visits to Utah and other company locations to ensure consistent safety standards and training.
· Maintain alignment of safety culture, processes, and expectations across regions.
· Oversee emergency response planning, crisis management, and Incident Command System (ICS) preparedness.
· Communicate safety performance, risks, initiatives, and corrective actions to senior leadership and employees at all organizational levels.

Risk Management

· Identify and evaluate operational, contractual, financial, environmental, and safety risks.
· Develop and implement strategies to reduce company-wide risk exposure.
· Review contracts for insurance, indemnification, and risk-transfer requirements.
· Monitor safety trends and both leading and lagging performance indicators to identify opportunities for corrective and preventive action.

Safety Department Leadership

· Lead and develop the Safety Department, including project assignments, client requirements, goals, performance expectations, and professional development.
· Establish quarterly internal training schedules, topics, and department priorities.
· Coordinate continuing education, conferences, certifications, and industry association involvement.
· Direct and support Field Safety Managers in maintaining safe operations across heavy civil projects, including open-cut, tunnel, and boring operations.

Operational Support

· Collaborate with Operations, Project Management, and Estimating during project planning and preconstruction.
· Provide safety support for utility shutdowns, bypass pumping, deep excavations, confined space operations, shoring, and other high-risk activities.
· Participate in and oversee incident and utility damage investigations, ensuring accurate fact gathering, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and claim closure.
· Provide senior leadership with regular updates regarding operational challenges, risks, trends, and corrective actions.

Safety Committee & Industry Engagement

· Lead the Safety Committee of hourly employee representatives, ensuring site safety assessments are completed and monthly meetings are productive and actionable.
· Participate in professional and industry associations to maintain current knowledge of regulations, standards, and best practices and represent the company within the industry.

Incident Management, Claims & Compliance

· Direct investigations and manage claims involving employee injuries, vehicle accidents, utility strikes, property damage, and near misses.
· Determine root causes using established investigative methodologies and implement corrective and preventive actions.
· Oversee injury and incident case management in coordination with HR, including employee care, return-to-work programs, and regulatory compliance.
· Maintain OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
· Monitor Experience Modification Rate (EMR) and assist with claim resolution and litigation support.

Training & Development

· Oversee company-wide safety, health, regulatory, and professional development training including CPR/First Aid, Competent Person, Confined Space, Excavation, equipment certifications, and other applicable requirements.
· Develop and maintain company safety orientation programs.
· Provide leadership safety coaching and training to project teams, management, employees, and clients.

Safety Systems, Technology & Reporting

· Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies, processes, procedures, and reporting in compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, and applicable industry standards.
· Administer safety and compliance platforms, including SiteDocs, BuildWitt, Avetta, Veriforce, ISNetworld, and CGA Dirt.
· Monitor and analyze safety data and trends and prepare dashboards and reports for leadership using Excel, Power BI, and related tools.

Fleet, Equipment & PPE

· Develop driver safety programs and support fleet risk-reduction initiatives.
· Monitor DOT compliance, telematics, and driver performance.
· Manage PPE inventory distribution and vendor selection.
· Maintain, inspect, calibrate, repair, and replace safety-critical equipment, including rigging, air monitors, two-way radios, confined-space equipment, emergency breathing units, scaffolding, and lighting.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Risk Management, Engineering, or a related field.
· 10+ years of safety management experience, including at least 7 years in heavy civil construction involving underground utilities and confined space operations.
· Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
· Demonstrated ability to lead safety teams and build effective relationships at all organizational levels.
· Strong leadership, organizational, communication, presentation, and public-speaking skills.
· Experience working with public agencies and municipalities.
· Proven experience presenting and delivering training to employees, management, clients, and other stakeholders.
· Experience with safety management systems, compliance platforms, data analysis, and reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications

· CHST, CSP, OSHA 500, or equivalent certification.
· Familiarity with AI tools for safety data analysis and reporting.
· Active participation in professional safety and construction industry organizations.
· Experience supporting or managing insurance claims, fleet safety, and construction risk programs.

Leadership Competencies

· Strong leadership, coaching, interpersonal, and team-development skills.
· Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence all organizational levels.
· Analytical and problem-solving ability, including identification of trends and development of corrective/preventive actions.
· Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and programs.
· Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively with employees, industry experts, clients, public agencies, and business partners.
· Proficiency with safety software, data reporting, and technology-enabled safety management.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to visit and inspect active construction sites.
· Ability to walk uneven terrain and safely access excavation areas, including the use of ladders.
· Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
· Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
· Ability to travel to multiple project locations, including periodic travel to Utah and other company locations.

Salary Range: $140,000 to $180,000 annually DOE