National Director of Safety

At W.E. O’Neil Construction, we believe we build great relationships, we are lifelong learners, we are forthright, we own it, and we are One Team. Safety is foundational to how we operate, lead, and build.

Department: Safety
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Chicago, IL

We are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven National Director of Safety to lead and elevate our national safety program across multiple regions and operating companies. This executive leadership role is responsible for strengthening a proactive, people‑first safety culture while ensuring consistency, accountability, compliance, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

The National Director of Safety will partner closely with executive leadership, operations teams, and field personnel to embed safety into every aspect of our business and reinforce our commitment to ensuring every employee goes home safely every day.

Position Summary

The National Director of Safety provides enterprise‑wide leadership for all health, safety, and risk prevention initiatives across W.E. O’Neil Construction. This role develops and implements national safety strategies, standardizes policies and procedures, supports regional safety leadership, and drives continuous improvement through training, field engagement, data analysis, and operational partnership. This leader will serve as both a strategic advisor and a visible field presence, helping cultivate a “Build Right, Built Safe” culture across all regions and business units.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a unified national safety strategy aligned with company goals and operational priorities.
• Foster a culture where safety is viewed as a core value and condition of employment.
• Partner with regional presidents, operations leadership, and project teams to strengthen accountability and consistency nationwide.
• Represent W.E. O’Neil during client pursuits, industry engagements, and high‑profile initiatives as the company’s safety leader.

Safety Program Development & Compliance

• Establish and maintain standardized safety policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, state‑specific regulations, and client safety requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing incidents, claims, and high‑risk exposures.
• Support incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.

Training & Culture

• Develop and oversee national safety training and education programs.
• Promote leadership engagement and field participation in safety initiatives.
• Facilitate communication of lessons learned, case studies, and emerging trends across the organization.
• Conduct regular site visits and safety walks to reinforce visibility, trust, and accountability.

Performance & Risk Management

• Monitor and analyze safety KPIs including TRIR, EMR, DART, near misses, and other leading indicators.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with operations, HR, and Risk Management teams to strengthen safety performance and claims management.
• Support subcontractor prequalification, compliance, and performance improvement initiatives.

Leadership & Partnership

• Provide functional leadership, mentorship, and support to regional and project safety professionals.
• Build strong partnerships with operations leadership to align safety and operational excellence.
• Help strengthen a One Team approach to safety across all operating companies and regions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive construction safety leadership experience, including multi‑site or multi‑region oversight.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, construction safety standards, and risk management practices.
• Experience leading safety strategy within a commercial construction or general contracting environment preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive leadership, operations teams, and field personnel.
• Strong communication, relationship‑building, and leadership skills.
• Ability to travel nationally on a frequent basis.

What Sets You Apart

• You lead through influence, visibility, and partnership.
• You balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• You are passionate about building a culture where safety is integrated into daily decision‑making.
• You thrive in collaborative environments and value accountability, consistency, and continuo