Safety Director at Govan Brown & Associates in New York, NY

Pavarini McGovern, Part of the STO Building Group is seeking a Safety Director for New York City, NY. The Construction Safety Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all safety initiatives across the organization. This role is responsible for driving a proactive safety culture, ensuring regulatory compliance, reducing risk, and promoting continuous improvement in safety performance throughout the organization.

Core Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Serve as the organization's senior safety leader, establishing the vision, strategy, and performance expectations for all safety and health initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to align safety objectives with organizational goals, operational priorities, and business growth strategies.
• Advise executives and operational leaders on risk exposure, regulatory developments, emerging industry trends, and best practices in construction safety.
• Provide regular reports and presentations to senior leadership regarding safety performance, incident trends, corrective actions, and organizational risks.
• Lead initiatives focused on reducing risk, improving operational performance, and advancing a culture of safety excellence.
• Participate in strategic planning, business development, preconstruction activities, and operational reviews to ensure safety considerations are integrated into key business decisions.
• Represent the organization in matters involving regulatory agencies, clients, insurance carriers, legal counsel, and industry stakeholders.

Strategic Safety Leadership:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve company-wide safety policies, programs, procedures, and standards.
• Establish annual safety goals, key performance indicators, and strategic initiatives to drive measurable improvements in safety performance.
• Promote a proactive, behavior-based safety culture that emphasizes accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistency in safety expectations and practices across all projects and locations.

Operational Oversight:

• Direct and manage safety managers, coordinators, specialists, and other safety personnel across multiple projects and locations.
• Establish safety staffing strategies and allocate resources based on project complexity, risk levels, and operational needs.
• Conduct executive-level project audits, site assessments, and operational reviews to ensure compliance with corporate standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with project teams, field leadership, and subcontractors to identify hazards and implement effective control measures.
• Review high-risk work activities and ensure appropriate planning, supervision, and control measures are in place.
• Monitor project safety performance and provide guidance to operational leaders regarding risk mitigation and corrective actions.

Incident Management:

• Lead investigations of accidents, near misses, property damage incidents, and safety concerns.
• Perform root-cause analyses and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate incident trends and develop strategies to reduce workplace injuries and exposures.
• Ensure timely reporting and documentation of incidents in accordance with company requirements.

• Coordinate with operations, human resources, insurance providers, and legal representatives regarding incident response and claims management.

• Maintain accurate safety records and reporting systems.

Training and Development:

• Develop and oversee comprehensive safety training programs for employees, supervisors, managers, and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA training requirements and industry best practices.
• Promote workforce engagement through safety committees, leadership training, toolbox talks, and employee involvement initiatives.
• Mentor and develop safety professionals to build organizational capability and support succession planning.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and identify opportunities for improved knowledge retention and field application.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, federal, state, local, and client-specific safety requirements.
• Represent the company during inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Support claims management and return-to-work programs.
• Update policies and procedures to reflect evolving regulatory requirements.

Program Management:

• Develop departmental budgets and staffing plans, to support organizational growth and long-term objectives.
• Manage safety recognition and incentive programs.

• Utilize data analysis and trend reporting to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making

Safety Performance & Analytics

• Monitor and analyze safety metrics including TRIR, DART, EMR, lost-time incidents, and leading indicators.
• Develop action plans to achieve annual safety performance objectives.
• Use data analytics to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Risk Management, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years in a leadership role managing safety personnel across multiple large scale construction projects
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing safety personnel across multiple large scale construction projects

Required:

Experience

Certifications

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Construction Safety and Health Technician (CHST) or ability to obtain within a specified period
• Current First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
• NYC DOB Site Safety Manager (SSM)
• NYC DOB Site Safety Coordinator (SSC)
• NYC DOB Construction Superintendent
• NYC 62-Hour SST Supervisor Card
• NYC 40-Hour Site Safety Manager Course

Salary Range:

225,000 - 275,000 based on experience.