EHS Associate Director- Fire

Johnson Controls; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Competitive benefits

Salary range transparency

Job summary

Johnson Controls in Milwaukee, WI seeks an experienced Associate Director, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to lead safety programs across the Fire Domain in the Americas.

You will partner with senior leaders, drive EHS strategy, ensure compliance, and advance a culture of safety through Lean/Six Sigma methods and risk-based decision making. This role offers leadership growth, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits with travel up to 40%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in Environmental Science, Management, Safety, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive Environmental, Health & Safety experience in manufacturing, industrial, construction, or field service environments.
• 5+ years of experience leading EHS teams across multiple facilities, business units, or geographic regions.
• Experience influencing senior leaders and driving EHS performance within a matrixed organization.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and applicable EHS regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Environmental, Health & Safety programs across the Fire Domain throughout the Americas.
• Partner with senior business leaders to align EHS strategies with operational goals, growth initiatives, and priorities.
• Foster a culture of safety excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead EHS change management efforts related to business expansion, operational transformation, and growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

EHS program management

Lean Six Sigma

Risk management

Leadership development

Stakeholder management

Data-driven problem solving

Executive presence

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science/Management/Occupational Safety/Engineering

Tools

Regulatory compliance systems

Job description

• Competitive salary

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care
• On the job/cross training opportunities
• Encouraging and collaborative team environment
• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

Johnson Controls is seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) to lead EHS initiatives across the Fire Domain within the Americas region.

How You Will Do It

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Environmental, Health & Safety programs across the Fire Domain throughout the Americas.
• Partner with senior business leaders to align EHS strategies with operational goals, growth initiatives, and organizational priorities.
• Foster a culture of safety excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Lead EHS change management efforts associated with business expansion, operational transformation, and organizational growth.

EHS Program Management

• Develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive EHS management systems, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Oversee environmental compliance activities, including permitting, reporting, hazardous materials management, and regulatory inspections.
• Establish governance processes to drive consistency and standardization across multiple sites and operations.

Operational Excellence

• Collaborate with operations, engineering, manufacturing, and project teams to proactively identify risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Support field installation and project teams by ensuring compliance with construction safety standards, contractor management requirements, and site-specific safety plans.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action processes to drive sustainable risk reduction.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance EHS and operational performance.

Performance & Risk Management

• Develop and monitor key EHS performance indicators and metrics.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on trend analysis, risk assessments, audits, and operational reviews.
• Conduct site assessments, management system audits, and gap analyses to identify areas of opportunity and ensure compliance.
• Provide regular reporting and executive-level updates on EHS performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.

Leadership Development

• Lead, coach, and develop EHS professionals across multiple locations.
• Build organizational capability through targeted leadership development, training, and employee engagement programs.
• Drive behavioral-based safety initiatives that strengthen a proactive and engaged safety culture.

What We Look For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Occupational Safety, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive Environmental, Health & Safety experience within manufacturing, industrial, construction, engineering, or field service environments.
• 5+ years of experience leading EHS teams across multiple facilities, business units, or geographic regions.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior leaders and driving EHS performance within a matrixed organization.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Proven experience leading incident investigations, root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations, complex field installation activities, and construction environments.
• Ability to travel up to 40%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as CSP, ASP, CHMM, CIH, or PE.
• Experience supporting fire protection, construction, building systems, industrial, or engineered solutions businesses.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification.
• Experience managing environmental permitting programs and regulatory agency interactions.
• Demonstrated success in leading EHS programs during periods of rapid growth, facility expansions, or operational transformation.

Key Competencies

• Executive presence and leadership influence
• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Change leadership
• Risk management and decision-making
• Team development and coaching
• Relationship building and stakeholder management
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Data-driven problem solving
• Continuous improvement mindset

HIRING SALARY RANGE:

$120,000-150,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site at https://jobs.johnsoncontrols.com/about-us