SHE Lead - Site Operations

AstraZeneca; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 138,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca is seeking a SHE Lead – Site Operations in Gaithersburg, MD. You will be the trusted safety partner for hard services, workplace operations and construction safety across a complex site, influencing safety culture and regulatory compliance.

You will manage audits, root cause analyses and safety programs, collaborating with facilities, security, procurement and leadership to protect people and ensure business continuity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, safety, health, environmental or related field.
• 10+ years in occupational safety/health/environmental roles, with 3+ years in contractor/construction or biopharma environments.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA construction standards and contractor safety programs.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management for senior leaders and regulatory partners.
• Proven ability to drive risk reduction and safety culture improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead site operations and contractor/construction safety programs aligned with OSHA standards and AstraZeneca requirements.
• Serve as primary contact for OSHA-related agencies, inspections, audits, and reporting.
• Conduct SHE audits, identify risk, ensure compliance and drive improvements.
• Lead Serious Injury and Fatality investigations with robust root-cause analysis.
• Develop and maintain contractor safety programs, permits to work, risk management and LOTO.
• Design training, set KPIs and collaborate with cross-functional leaders.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder influence

Risk assessment

Safety management systems

Auditing and root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in safety/related field

Tools

Enablon

Construction safety software

Data analytics tools

Job description

SHE Lead – Site Operations

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States

Introduction to role

If you are an experienced SHE professional who wants to shape safety culture where science, operations and people intersect, this role gives you the platform to make a visible impact. As SHE Lead – Site Operations, you will be the trusted safety partner for hard services, workplace services, laboratory operations, contractor activities and construction safety across a complex AstraZeneca site.

You will bring practical judgment, regulatory expertise and strong stakeholder influence to turn OSHA requirements, AstraZeneca standards and operational risks into clear, workable safety programs. Your work will help protect people, enable business continuity and strengthen a proactive site safety culture.

Accountabilities

• Lead site operations and contractor/construction safety programs aligned with OSHA 29 CFR 1910, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, AstraZeneca requirements and applicable regulatory standards.


• Serve as the primary contact for OSHA-related regulatory agencies, inspections, audits, compliance calendars, documentation and reporting.


• Conduct SHE audits, identify risk, confirm compliance and lead continuous improvement across contractor/construction sites, facilities and processes.


• Lead potential Serious Injury and Fatality investigations, ensuring strong root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.


• Create and maintain contractor/construction safety programs, including permit to work, risk management and lockout/tagout requirements.


• Design training, set KPIs and build strong relationships with contractors, regulatory agencies and cross-functional leaders.


• Drive safety governance, regulatory documentation and a proactive safety culture grounded in Human and Organizational Performance principles.


• Collaborate with Security on site safety concerns and emergency response activities.

Essential for the role

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, safety, health, environmental or related field.


• 10+ years of occupational safety, health and environmental experience, including more than 3 years in contractor/construction, industrial safety, biopharma R&D or manufacturing environments.


• Strong knowledge of OSHA construction standards, construction hazard identification, risk assessment, safety management systems and contractor safety programs.


• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to advise senior leaders and regulatory partners.


• Proven analytical judgment, attention to detail and ability to lead complex change in ambiguous environments.

Desirable for the role

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.


• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology or GMP clean room experience.


• Certified Safety Professional certification.


• Specialized construction safety expertise, including crane safety, excavation safety, fall protection or electrical safety.


• Experience with Enablon, construction safety software, data analytics tools or AI-enabled approaches.

Key relationships

You will partner with Facilities & Engineering, Site Leadership, Procurement, Legal & Compliance, Security, Workplace Services, contractors, regulatory agencies and vendors to support compliance, risk reduction and operational excellence.

Office working and 24/7 operation requirements

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. This role is expected to work on site to support business-critical site operations, with flexibility balanced against operational needs.

This role supports a 24/7 operation. On-call coverage is required. Employees may be scheduled to participate in an on-call rotation and must be available outside standard working hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed to support business-critical activities.

Pay transparency

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $138,000 - $150,000 USD. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles, where applicable. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off, including vacation, holiday and leaves, as well as health, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, you will be empowered to push the boundaries of science, challenge convention and help drive the change needed to meet global healthcare and sustainability challenges.

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.