Position Summary
The Director of Safety and Risk Management is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the company’s safety, compliance, and risk management programs. This role combines high-level strategic oversight with day-to-day operational execution. The position safeguards the organization’s people, assets, and reputation by ensuring regulatory compliance, promoting a proactive safety culture, and minimizing exposure to financial and operational risk.
This is a hands-on leadership role — ideal for a small to mid-sized organization — where the individual must balance executive decision-making with direct administrative and field-level engagement.
Key Responsibilities
1. Risk Identification and Assessment
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Identify, evaluate, and monitor potential risks across operational, financial, legal, environmental, and safety domains.
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Conduct regular risk assessments and facility inspections to identify hazards, vulnerabilities, and trends.
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Maintain a company-wide risk register and develop mitigation strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
2. Safety Program Management
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Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive safety programs consistent with OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory standards.
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Lead root-cause investigations for accidents, near-misses, and safety violations; ensure corrective actions are completed.
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Conduct new hire and ongoing employee safety training, including vehicle safety, ergonomics, PPE, and emergency procedures.
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Maintain required safety documentation, including OSHA 300 logs, inspection records, and training certifications.
3. Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
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Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws related to safety, fleet, and workplace standards (e.g., OSHA, DOT, HIPAA, NTA, state labor codes).
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Coordinate and prepare for audits, inspections, and insurance reviews.
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Serve as liaison to external regulatory agencies, insurers, and client compliance representatives.
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Monitor legislative and regulatory changes that could affect company operations.
4. Insurance and Claims Management
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Manages claims reporting and investigations in coordination with insurance carriers and legal counsel.
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Analyze claims data to identify loss trends and develop preventive measures.
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Ensure timely renewals, certificates of insurance, and claim documentation.
5. Crisis Management and Business Continuity
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Participate in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the company’s emergency response and business continuity plans.
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Participate in the coordination of response to incidents such as accidents, natural disasters, or operational disruptions.
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Facilitate post-incident reviews and readiness drills to strengthen preparedness.
6. Collaboration and Leadership
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Partner with Human Resources on onboarding, employee safety policy acknowledgments, and return-to-work programs.
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Work closely with Operations to promote fleet and driver safety compliance.
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Support cross-departmental initiatives that enhance safety awareness and operational resilience.
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Chair or participate in the company’s Safety and Risk Committee.
7. Training and Communication
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Develop and deliver ongoing training programs to educate employees on safety policies, risk awareness, and compliance procedures.
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Communicate safety and risk metrics to leadership through dashboards and performance reviews.
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Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and proactive reporting.
Qualifications
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Experience in safety, compliance, or risk management (transportation or service industry preferred).
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Working knowledge of OSHA, DOT/FMCSA, workers’ compensation, and insurance principles.
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Proven ability to balance field-level operations with policy development.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong analytical and documentation capabilities.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and incident/risk management software.
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Preferred certifications: OSHA 30, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or associate in risk management (ARM).
Performance Indicators
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Reduction in preventable incidents and claims.
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Timely completion of safety audits, training, and corrective actions.
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Positive results from regulatory inspections and insurance audits.
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Improved organizational compliance metrics and risk awareness.
Personal Attributes
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Strategic thinker who can also operate tactically.
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Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable.
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Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
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Ethical, proactive, and calm under pressure.
Work Environment
This is an on-site position requiring visibility in office and field environments. Occasional travel may be required for site inspections, training, and claims review meetings.
Summary
The Director of Safety and Risk Management serves as both the architect and executor of the company’s risk and safety infrastructure. The role ensures compliance, reduces liability, and fosters a culture where safety is operationally integrated — not just administratively maintained.
