Director, EHSS

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $3B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

 What We Offer:

• A hybrid in office schedule for qualifying employees
• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

Position Summary

The Director, Environment, Health, Safety & Security (EHSS) is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of AFL’s enterprise-wide Environment, Health, Safety, and Security programs. This role provides leadership and oversight across all business operations, including construction, field services, warehousing, logistics, engineering, and division office functions, ensuring a safe, compliant, and high-performing work environment.

The Director EHSS partners closely with executive leadership, operational leaders, customers, and regulatory agencies to integrate EHSS principles into business strategy and operational execution. The role is responsible for fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence while supporting business growth, workforce engagement, risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Director EHSS has authority to escalate critical risks, implement corrective actions, and stop work where conditions present an imminent danger to employees, contractors, customers, property, or the environment.

Scope of Responsibility

The Director EHSS provides leadership and governance across all AFL U.S. Service Operations, including:

• Construction and field service operations
• Warehousing
• Fleet operations
• Division offices
• Contractor and subcontractor safety programs
• Physical security initiatives
• Environmental compliance programs
• Emergency preparedness and crisis response activities

The role is accountable for enterprise EHSS strategy, program deployment, compliance assurance, risk management, performance reporting, and organizational safety culture.

 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Safety Culture

• Develop and execute the enterprise EHSS strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
• Foster a proactive, people-first culture focused on safety, risk awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with executive leadership to embed EHSS principles into business planning and operational decision-making.
• Establish enterprise standards, policies, and performance expectations.
• Ensure EHSS performance is viewed as a core business metric alongside quality, productivity, and financial performance.
• Serve as a champion for employee engagement, leadership accountability, and incident prevention.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Lead enterprise-wide identification, assessment, and mitigation of EHSS risks.
• Develop risk-based programs addressing:
• Occupational safety
• Environmental stewardship
• Fleet safety
• Contractor management
• Industrial hygiene
• Ergonomics
• Emergency preparedness
• Physical security
• Ensure effective hazard recognition and mitigation processes are implemented across all operations.
• Oversee management of change processes related to operations, facilities, equipment, and business activities.
• Support business continuity planning and operational resilience initiatives.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, provincial, and local EHSS regulations.
• Maintain programs aligned with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead development and implementation of corporate EHSS policies, standards, and procedures.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and third-party auditors.
• Monitor regulatory developments and drive proactive compliance initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, recordkeeping, reporting, and permit management programs are maintained.

Operational Support & Field Engagement

• Partner with business leaders to ensure EHSS programs support operational excellence.
• Maintain visibility across field and facility operations to understand risks and operational challenges.
• Provide coaching and guidance to regional leaders, managers, supervisors, and project teams.
• Conduct leadership reviews, audits, inspections, and field engagements.
• Support site start-ups, expansions, acquisitions, and integration activities.
• Ensure lessons learned and best practices are shared across business units.

Security & Asset Protection

• Direct enterprise physical security strategies and programs.
• Oversee facility access controls, investigations, site security standards, and asset protection initiatives.
• Coordinate security risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Support business leaders in managing security-related incidents, threats, and workplace violence prevention efforts.
• Ensure appropriate contractor and visitor management processes are maintained.

Incident Management & Emergency Response

• Lead the investigation of serious incidents, significant near misses, environmental events, and security-related occurrences.
• Ensure consistent application of root cause analysis methodologies.
• Monitor corrective action implementation and effectiveness.
• Direct emergency preparedness, response planning, and crisis management programs.
• Participate in enterprise incident response activities and leadership communications during emergencies.
• Promote organizational learning through analysis of trends and incident findings.

Training, Development & Organizational Capability

• Establish EHSS competency frameworks and training programs across the organization.
• Ensure employees, leaders, contractors, and service providers receive appropriate EHSS training.
• Develop leadership capabilities related to risk recognition, accountability, and performance management.
• Mentor and develop EHSS professionals and field safety personnel.
• Promote knowledge sharing and professional development throughout the EHSS organization.

Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor leading and lagging EHSS performance indicators.
• Analyze trends and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop executive-level dashboards and reporting mechanisms.
• Communicate performance, risks, and opportunities to executive leadership.
• Benchmark programs against industry best practices.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational performance and reduce risk exposure.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership, coaching, and development for the EHSS organization.
• Establish performance objectives and accountability measures across the EHSS team.
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders and support functions.
• Manage EHSS budgets, vendor relationships, and external consulting resources.
• Drive consistency and standardization across all regions and business units.

Success Measures / KPIs

• Reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
• Reduction in Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR)
• Improvement in leading indicator performance
• Closure of corrective actions within established timelines
• Successful regulatory inspections and audit outcomes
• Reduction in environmental, fleet, and security incidents
• Employee safety engagement and participation rates
• Contractor compliance performance
• Enterprise training completion metrics
• Overall effectiveness of EHSS programs and risk mitigation initiatives

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science, Industrial Hygiene, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive EHSS leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading multi-site EHSS programs and teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DOT, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience developing and implementing enterprise EHSS strategies and programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational influence skills.
• Ability to travel routinely in support of business operations.

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
• Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
• ISO 14001 and/or ISO 45001 experience
• Experience supporting manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, utility, field services, or industrial operations.
• Experience leading EHSS programs in high-growth, multi-location environments.