Global Occupational Health Governance Director

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 154,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated seeks a Global Occupational Health Governance Director to lead medical strategy and health protection for a worldwide workforce.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will establish standards, drive governance and compliance, and partner with Health & Safety, P&O, Operations, and Benefits to maintain a resilient and healthy workplace. This role commands executive collaboration across geographies and functions.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Occupational Health Physician with board certification in Occupational Medicine.
• 15+ years of leadership in Occupational Medicine within a large multinational.
• Proven track record designing global health strategies, risk management and governance.
• Ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Lead global occupational health strategy and multi-year roadmap.
• Identify and prevent work-related health risks through cross-functional controls.
• Establish global clinical standards and assurance frameworks.
• Oversee medical surveillance and ensure regulatory compliance globally.
• Provide leadership for fitness-for-work, rehabilitation, and return-to-work processes.
• Define health metrics and deliver insights to senior leadership.

Skills

Occupational Medicine

Strategic Leadership

Executive Stakeholder Management

Global Health Strategy

Job description

Job Description

Role Overview

The Global Occupational Health Governance Director provides global medical leadership to protect the health, wellbeing, and work capability of our global workforce.

In this role, you will establish global occupational health standards, design the multi-year strategy, and ensure robust clinical governance and regulatory compliance. Working in close partnership with Health & Safety, People & Organization (P&O), Operations, and Benefits, you will drive continuous improvement in workforce health protection, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and highly resilient working environment.

1. Global Strategy & Medical Leadership

• Set the Vision: Develop and execute the global occupational health strategy, establishing clear priorities, standards, and a multi-year roadmap.
• Alignment: Ensure the strategy aligns seamlessly with broader business needs, workforce health risks, and organizational objectives.

2. Risk Prevention & Management

• Risk Assessment: Provide deep medical expertise to identify, assess, and prevent work-related health risks, including occupational exposures, physical hazards, and psychosocial risks.
• Collaboration: Partner with Health & Safety and Operations to design and implement highly effective, preventative controls.

3. Clinical Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Standard Setting: Establish global clinical standards, protocols, and assurance frameworks to ensure safe, evidence-based occupational health practices.
• Compliance: Oversee medical surveillance programs and ensure strict adherence to local legislations, professional practices, and confidentiality standards globally.

4. Workforce Health & Fitness for Work

• Employee Support: Provide medical leadership for fitness-for-work assessments, rehabilitation, reasonable workplace adjustments, and return-to-work processes.
• Inclusion: Champion workplace adjustments that support diverse physical capabilities, inclusion, and sustained employee capability.

5. Health Intelligence & Performance Management

• Data-Driven Insights: Define key occupational health metrics, analyze workforce health trends, and deliver actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Continuous Improvement: Use health intelligence to drive evidence-based interventions and track measurable health outcomes.

6. Service Delivery & Strategic Partnership

• Operating Model: Define the global operating model and set standards for external occupational health service providers.
• Team Capability: Build the capability and competency of regional and local health teams.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner with Benefits, Security, P&O, and Business Leaders on wellness promotion, emergency medical preparedness, and crisis management.

Experience & Capabilities

Required Qualifications

• Credentials: Fully qualified Occupational Health Physician with recognized advanced qualifications/board certification in Occupational Medicine.
• Experience: 15+ years of progressive, hands-on leadership experience in Occupational Medicine within a large multinational organization. This includes leading strategy across multiple geographies with differing legal frameworks.
• Strategic Leadership: Proven track record of designing and implementing global occupational health strategies, with deep expertise in health risk management and clinical governance.
• Business Partnering & Influence: Demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead organizational change in highly complex, matrixed environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating within highly complex operational, manufacturing, or supply‑chain environments.
• Proven experience leading enterprise‑level wellness, mental health, or occupational health initiatives.
• Recognized external thought leadership in Occupational Health or Public Health forums.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic Mindset & Global Perspective – Able to look ahead to future possibilities and translate them into breakthrough strategies with a global lens.
• Drives Vision & Purpose – Painting a compelling picture of the health vision that motivates others to action.
• Balances Stakeholders & Organizational Savvy – Navigating complex matrix dynamics and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholder groups.
• Plans, Aligns, & Ensures Accountability – Planning work to meet commitments, aligning regional teams, and holding self and others accountable.
• Customer/Associate Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer‑centric health solutions.

Defining Success in the Role

• Measurable Improvements in workforce health protection and the reduction of work-related illnesses.
• Effective Control and mitigation of occupational health risks globally.
• Robust Clinical Governance and 100% regulatory compliance across all operating regions.
• High-Quality Service Delivery from regional teams and external providers, leading to a safer, healthier, and more resilient workforce.

Position Summary

This is a highly visible enterprise leadership opportunity with a mandate to shape the future of Associate Health & Wellbeing at Mars Incorporated. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision, scientific expertise, business acumen, and inspirational leadership to create a healthier, more resilient, and higher-performing workforce—helping Mars deliver long‑term value for its Associates, consumers, customers, and communities.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment. The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting: USD 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00