Director of Safety & Risk Management

Job Description

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 Site Docs, Build Witt, Avetta, Veriforce, ISNetworld, and CGA Dirt.

· Monitor and analyze safety data and trends and prepare dashboards and…