EHS Director

Aecon Group Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian infrastructure company seeks a Sr. Director, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) to provide strategic leadership for urban transportation projects. This senior role requires over 15 years of EHS experience and strong knowledge of regulations. Responsibilities include managing EHS governance and programs, mentoring a team of professionals, and ensuring compliance across various project phases. Exceptional leadership and communication skills are essential. Competitive compensation offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian health and safety regulation and environmental regulations.
• Experience leading EHS programs on large infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for EHS performance.
• Establish a best-in-class EHS management system.
• Drive consistent implementation of EHS strategy and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Risk Assessment

Incident Investigation

Strategic Mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or related discipline

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Come Build Your Career at Aecon! As a Canadian leader in infrastructure development, Aecon is safely and sustainably building what matters for future generations to thrive. We lead some of the most impactful infrastructure projects of our generation, at the forefront of transformational change in transportation and energy, and partnering every day to build, connect, power, and strengthen our communities.

• Safety Always. Our number one core value. If we can’t do it safely, we don’t do it at all.
• Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
• Accountability. We’re passionate about delivering on our commitments.

At Aecon, You Can Count On

• Safety Always. Our number one core value. If we can’t do it safely, we don’t do it at all.
• Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
• Accountability. We’re passionate about delivering on our commitments.
• Inclusion. We provide equitable opportunities for everyone.

We lead the infrastructure industry with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. We invest in our people, just like they invest in us.

What is the Opportunity?

Aecon is seeking a Sr. Director, Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) to join the Urban Transportation Solutions group to support dynamic, complex transit projects across Canada. This senior leadership role is responsible for providing strategic direction, governance, and oversight of all health, safety, and environmental programs, ensuring the highest standards of safety performance across Aecon’s rail and urban transportation portfolio in Canada and internationally.

Reporting to the VP, EHS, the Sr. Director, EHS will partner closely with executive leadership, project teams, joint venture partners, clients, and regulators to proactively manage risk, embed a strong safety culture, and ensure full compliance with regulatory, client, and Aecon requirements. The role supports all phases of project delivery, from pursuit and design through construction, commissioning, and operations, while driving continuous improvement and safety excellence across large‑scale, multi‑stakeholder infrastructure programs.

What You Will Do Here

• Provide strategic leadership and governance for EHS performance across Aecon’s Urban Transportation Solutions portfolio, including complex rail and transit infrastructure projects.
• Establish and drive a best-in-class EHS management system aligned with Aecon, client, regulatory, and industry requirements.
• Act as the senior EHS authority and primary point of contact for executive leadership, joint venture partners, owners, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Work with Operations Leadership to ensure adequate EHS resources are in place.
• Drive consistent implementation of Aecon EHS strategy, vision, programs, policies and initiatives across sector.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team of EHS professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Oversee compliance with applicable occupational health and safety legislation, environmental regulations, client standards, and Aecon corporate policies across all project phases.
• Provide leadership in hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies across design, construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of safety programs, environmental management plans, emergency response plans, and incident prevention initiatives.
• Oversee and participate in audits, inspections, investigations, and regulatory reviews, ensuring timely corrective actions and continuous compliance.
• Review, approve, and oversee the development of HSE plans, procedures, metrics, and reporting frameworks for major projects and pursuits.
• Liaise with external parties such as regulatory agencies, government inspectors, subcontractors, and general public.
• Represent the Company at meetings with Clients and other organizations on issues regarding workplace health and safety matters.
• Ability to develop and maintain a network of industry-wide contacts.
• Monitor and report on EHS performance to operational leadership, inform corrective strategies.
• Champion proactive safety culture initiatives, behavioural-based safety programs, and workforce engagement across unionized and non-union environments.
• Ensure EHS requirements are fully integrated into project delivery schedules, commercial strategies, and quality management systems.
• Support major bids and pursuits by providing EHS strategy, resourcing plans, and risk assessments.
• Drive an inclusive and respectful culture that promotes equity, values diverse perspectives, and supports career development across the organization.
• Ability to travel throughout Canada and internationally.

What You Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum 15+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience, preferably within large-scale transportation, rail, civil infrastructure, or major capital projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading EHS programs on complex, multi-stakeholder infrastructure projects with stringent regulatory oversight.
• Strong working knowledge of Canadian occupational health and safety regulation, environmental regulations, and industry best practices.
• Proven ability to lead incident investigations, risk assessments, audits, and regulatory interactions at a senior level.
• Experience building, leading, and mentoring high-performing EHS teams across multiple projects and geographies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executives, clients, regulators, and frontline teams.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate EHS objectives into practical, project-level execution.
• Professional EHS certifications (e.g., CRSP, CHSC, CSP, or equivalent) considered a strong asset.
• A visible champion of safety, inclusion, and ethical leadership.
• Spanish-speaking language ability considered an asset.

Reason for vacancy: Replacement

Aecon fosters diversity, inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply including, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. Through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations, appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the interview and hiring process.

As part of our commitment to fair and transparent hiring practices, Aecon may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and reviewing candidates. These tools are applied responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Aecon’s AI Usage Policy. All final decisions are made by qualified Aecon team members.