Director, Safety in Columbus, Ohio at Elford Inc

The Director of Safety is responsible for leading and advancing Elford's safety vision, strategy, and performance across all operations. This role provides leadership for company-wide safety, health, risk management, and regulatory compliance initiatives while fostering a culture where safety is integrated into every aspect of the business.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Safety partners closely with Executive Leadership, Operations, Project Management, and Field Leadership to proactively identify risk, improve safety performance, and drive continuous improvement throughout the organization. This position leads the development and execution of strategic safety initiatives, oversees a team of safety professionals, and ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements while supporting successful project delivery.

The Director of Safety serves as Elford's subject matter expert on construction safety, incident prevention, emergency response, and risk mitigation, helping protect employees, subcontractors, clients, and the communities in which we build.

Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide safety programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives that align with OSHA regulations, industry best practices, and Elford's commitment to safety excellence.

Provide leadership, direction, mentoring, and professional development for the Safety team while establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.

Collaborate with Executive Leadership and Operations teams to establish strategic safety goals, performance metrics, and long-term improvement initiatives.

Lead the development and delivery of safety training programs, employee onboarding, continuing education, certifications, and leadership development initiatives.

Oversee incident investigations involving accidents, injuries, property damage, and near misses, ensuring root causes are identified and corrective actions are implemented.

Conduct and oversee jobsite audits, inspections, and risk assessments to identify hazards, strengthen compliance, and reinforce safe work practices.

Partner with Project Management and Field Operations teams to proactively support project planning, risk mitigation, and execution strategies for complex and high-risk projects.

Participate in preconstruction and operational planning efforts to identify project-specific risks and develop effective safety strategies before work begins.

Review and support the development of site-specific safety plans, emergency response plans, and risk management strategies across all projects.

Monitor, analyze, and report safety performance metrics, including EMR, TRIR, incident trends, leading indicators, and compliance data to drive continuous improvement.

Lead emergency response efforts, crisis management activities, and critical incident investigations while coordinating communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Serve as the organization's primary safety resource and representative with regulatory agencies, clients, industry organizations, and external partners.

Ensure compliance with all company standards, OSHA regulations, workers' compensation requirements, and applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations.

Support business development and client pursuits by promoting Elford's safety culture, performance, and commitment to operational excellence.

Manage departmental budgets, resources, and strategic initiatives to ensure effective support of organizational goals.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health, Construction Management, Risk Management, or a related field preferred.

Minimum of 10 years of progressive construction safety experience with at least 5 years in a safety leadership role overseeing multiple projects, teams, or geographic regions.

Experience supporting large-scale commercial construction projects, including healthcare, education, multifamily, commercial, industrial, or mission-critical environments preferred.

Demonstrated success building safety cultures, leading organizational change, and driving measurable safety performance improvements.

OSHA 30 or OSHA 500 required.

Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or similar professional certification preferred.

Extensive knowledge of OSHA regulations, construction safety standards, risk management practices, workers' compensation, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Proven ability to lead safety strategy and influence operational leaders across a complex construction organization.

Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with field employees, project teams, clients, regulators, and senior leadership.

Experience analyzing safety performance data and developing proactive solutions to improve outcomes.

Exceptional leadership, coaching, relationship-building, and team development skills.

Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities with the capacity to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, construction management software, safety reporting platforms, and emerging technology solutions.