Safety Director

HJSRLLC; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HJSRLLC in Columbus, OH is seeking a Safety Director to lead the company-wide safety program for construction operations. You will set policy, drive compliance with OSHA and local regulations, mentor safety staff, and provide hands-on field leadership to foster an uncompromising safety culture.

You will collaborate with executive leadership, project teams, and subcontractors to reduce risk, review safety plans, conduct audits, and track metrics that drive continuous improvement across all sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in safety-related field or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years construction safety with 5+ years leadership.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA and local regulations, and owner contracts.

Responsibilities

• Policy & Strategy: develop and update safety policies to ensure compliance with OSHA and regulations.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: guide Safety Managers and field staff, promote safe practices.
• Field Oversight & Audits: frequent site walks, hazard analyses, verify safety plans.
• Risk & Incident Management: lead investigations, manage OSHA recordkeeping, inspections liaison.
• Training & Compliance: oversee safety training, review JHAs and high-risk procedures.
• Preconstruction & Bidding: assist with safety content for bids and onboarding.
• Metrics & Analytics: track leading indicators and trends to drive improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Investigation

Conflict resolution

Root-cause analysis

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Construction PM software

Contractor payments processing

Job description

We are looking for a Safety Director that will serve as the senior leader responsible for establishing, overseeing, and continuously improving our safety program across all construction operations. You will drive strategic policy direction, ensure regulatory compliance, mentor safety staff, and provide hands-on field leadership to maintain a uncompromising safety culture. Working directly with executive leadership, project teams, subcontractors, and field personnel, you will reduce risk, elevate safety performance, and enforce consistent company-wide standards.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Policy & Strategy: Develop, implement, and update company safety policies to ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (OSHA), as well as owner contract requirements. Integrate safety into executive operational strategies.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide oversight, mentorship, and direction to Safety Managers, Coordinators, and project-level safety professionals. Educate construction personnel on safe execution relative to means and methods.
• Field Oversight & Audits: Conduct regular field visits, jobsite audits, and detailed hazard analyses across active construction sites. Verify policy compliance, evaluate safe work practices, and audit subcontractor safety plans.
• Risk & Incident Management: Lead corporate and project-specific risk assessments, root-cause analyses, and incident investigations. Oversee OSHA recordkeeping, reporting, and serve as the primary contact during regulatory inspections.
• Training & Compliance: Oversee the development, tracking, and delivery of company-wide safety training programs. Review and approve Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), pre-task plans, and high-risk work procedures.
• Preconstruction & Bidding: Assist in creating and reviewing safety-related content for bid proposals, preconstruction efforts, and new project onboarding.
• Metrics & Analytics: Implement systems to track safety metrics, leading indicators, and operational trends to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred (a combination of education and equivalent field experience will be considered).
• Minimum of 8 years of construction safety experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership or director-level role.
• Deep understanding of construction operations, project sequencing, and high-risk field activities.

Certifications (Highly Desired)

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST)
• OSHA 500 / OTI Certified & NFPA 70E Certified
• HAZWOPER & First Aid / CPR / AED Certified
• ITI Lift Director & Critical Lift Planning Course completion

Skills & Capabilities

• Proven ability to lead, influence behavior, and enforce change across multi-divisional projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication, investigation, conflict resolution, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, construction project management software, and exposure to contractor payment processing.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Physical Capabilities: Ability to climb stairs/ladders, navigate active job sites with uneven ground, use personnel hoists, stoop, crouch, stand for extended periods, and lift/carry up to 30 lbs. Must be capable of wearing all required standard PPE.
• Environment: Split between corporate office and active field environments. Field work includes exposure to outdoor weather, heavy machinery, loud noise, and typical construction hazards. Frequent site travel required.