Director of Safety

Our client, a leading provider of industrial cleaning and surface preparation services, is seeking a strategic and field-focused Director of Safety to lead its U.S. and international safety operations. This executive-level role will be instrumental in fostering a safety-first culture across decentralized job sites and scaling systems to support global expansion. The ideal candidate is an experienced safety leader with a hands-on approach, strong field presence, and a vision for proactive risk management.

Duties

• Lead all safety, training, compliance, and policy functions across U.S. operations within the first six months.
• Conduct job site audits and field visits to establish baseline safety metrics and reinforce standards.
• Build credibility with field crews through active visibility, responsiveness, and principled leadership.
• Oversee and enhance all training programs, including OSHA 10/30, CPR, first aid, confined space entry, and contractor compliance documentation.
• Develop scalable safety infrastructure in anticipation of international expansion within 12 months.
• Drive measurable reductions in incident rates, near misses, and EMR through education, audits, and real-time interventions.
• Align global safety policies with ISO 9001 and regulatory standards in emerging markets.
• Lead a cultural shift in safety practices—from compliance-driven to behavior-driven—across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

Required:

• 10+ years of safety leadership experience in construction, manufacturing, or industrial services.
• Expertise in OSHA compliance, EHS systems, drug testing protocols, and contractor safety documentation.
• In-depth knowledge of ISNetworld, ISO 9001, and environmental health and safety (EHS) systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% both domestically and internationally.
• Demonstrated field leadership and ability to work independently within an executive structure.

Preferred:

• Military background in safety-critical roles.
• Experience in heavy industry sectors such as refining or petrochemical.
• High emotional intelligence and a coaching-based leadership style.