Colonial Group, Inc. is a multigenerational, family-owned parent company overseeing a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries. Through our strategic infrastructure, logistics expertise, and a broad range of products and services, we create significant value for our customers while driving innovation and operational excellence.
Job Summary
The Vice President of Environment, Health, Safety & Security (EHSS) reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and provides enterprise-wide leadership for the organization’s environmental sustainability, occupational health, workplace safety, and security strategy. This executive role is responsible for setting vision, ensuring regulatory compliance, reducing risk, embedding a strong safety culture, and advancing continuous improvement across all operations. The VP of EHSS serves as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team, balancing regulatory, operational, and business objectives while protecting employees, communities, and the environment.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a comprehensive EHSS strategy aligned with corporate objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Serve as the senior EHSS subject-matter expert and advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), executive leadership team, and Board of Directors.
- Establish enterprise EHSS policies, standards, and governance models applicable across all sites and regions.
- Drive a proactive, values-based safety culture with shared accountability at all leadership levels.
- Collaborates with Continuous Improvement and Learning & Development teams to meet corporate objectives.
- Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure full compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and international EHSS regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT, ISO, FRA, USCG, state and local environmental authorities, etc.).
- Oversee audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions; where appropriate, serve as primary executive contact for regulatory agencies.
- Lead enterprise risk assessments, incident investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective action planning.
- Anticipate regulatory changes and assess business impact.
- Operations & Performance
- Establish and monitor EHSS KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics; report trends and risks to senior leadership.
- Reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, incidents, and environmental releases by creating an environment that supports the development of prevention programs, continuous improvement processes, and focused operational discipline.
- Oversee emergency preparedness, crisis management, and business continuity planning related to EHSS risks.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives using leading and lagging indicators.
- Environmental Stewardship
- Lead environmental stewardship programs to ensure regulatory compliance and consistency with company values.
- Partner with Operations teams to support environmental reporting, disclosures, and long-term stewardship goals.
- Ensure accurate data collection and reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
- Talent & Organization Development
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, high trust EHSS organization.
- Define organizational structure, succession plans, and capability development for EHSS professionals.
- Coach senior leaders and site managers on EHSS leadership and accountability.
- Foster collaboration across Operations, Legal, and HR.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
- Communicate EHSS strategy, performance, and risks clearly to executive leadership, employees, and external stakeholders.
- Represent the company in industry forums, benchmarking groups, and professional associations.
- Support due diligence efforts for M&A, divestitures, and major capitol projects.
Education & Experience
- Proven executive or senior-director-level leadership experience.
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale, multidisciplinary and values-based EHS organizations.
- Experience working directly with executive leadership.
Physical Demands
This position requires the ability to sit and stand for extended periods throughout the workday. The incumbent must be capable of performing pushing and pulling motions as needed and lifting and carrying items weighing both under and over 20 pounds. These physical demands are regularly required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Eligibility Requirements: Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.
Colonial Group, Inc. is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our organizations. We encourage applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. Colonial Group, Inc. prohibits discrimination of and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.
