Director of Global EHS

Role Purpose & Context

Role Summary

The Director of Global EHS is responsible for defining and driving our company's entire environmental, health, and safety strategy across all our international operations. You'll be the architect behind our global safety culture, making sure it's not just a set of rules, but a deeply ingrained way of working that protects our people and our planet. You'll work at the intersection of operational reality and strategic vision, translating complex global regulations into practical, actionable programmes that our regional teams can actually implement. When this role is done well, we see a tangible reduction in incidents, a stronger safety culture, and fewer regulatory headaches—which, honestly, saves lives and millions of pounds. When it's not, we face serious risks: major incidents, hefty fines, reputational damage, and, worst of all, harm to our colleagues. The challenge is getting everyone, from the factory floor to the executive suite, to truly buy into safety as a core business value, not just a compliance checkbox. The reward? Knowing you've built a safer, more resilient organisation and made a genuine difference to thousands of lives.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Direct reports: Typically 3-8 Managers or Lead Specialists, potentially including regional heads.
• Matrix relationships: Head of Global Safety & Compliance, VP, Environmental, Health & Safety, Global Safety Director,

Key Stakeholders

Internal:

• C-Suite (CEO, COO, CFO, CHRO)
• Regional Business Unit VPs and Directors
• Legal and Compliance Teams
• Operations Leadership (Global and Local)
• HR Leadership

External:

• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., HSE, OSHA, EU-OSHA, local authorities)
• External Auditors and Certification Bodies
• Insurance Providers
• Industry Associations and Peer Networks
• Key Vendors and Contractors

Organisational Impact

Scope: This role directly shapes the company's operational resilience, brand reputation, and financial performance by safeguarding our people, assets, and regulatory standing globally. Your decisions influence everything from our operational costs (e.g., insurance premiums, incident costs) to our ability to operate in certain markets. You're a key voice in how we manage enterprise-level risk.

Performance Metrics

Quantitative Metrics

1. Metric: Global Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
2. Desc: The number of lost time injuries per 100,000 hours worked across all global operations.
3. Target: Reduce global LTIFR by 20% over a 3-year period, with a specific annual target of 5-7% reduction.
4. Freq: Monthly, reported quarterly to the Executive Leadership Team and annually to the Board.
5. Example: If our current LTIFR is 0.85, your target for year 1 might be 0.81, year 2 0.76, and year 3 0.68. This isn't just a number; it means fewer people getting seriously hurt.
6. Metric: ISO 45001 Certification Rate
7. Desc: The percentage of major global operational sites that have achieved and maintained ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management System) certification.
8. Target: Achieve ISO 45001 certification across all major global sites (roughly 90% of our employee base) within 2 years, maintaining 100% compliance thereafter.
9. Freq: Quarterly, tracked against a defined project plan.
10. Example: If we have 20 major sites, and 10 are currently certified, you'd aim to get another 5 certified in year one, and the remaining 5 in year two. This shows a consistent, high-standard approach to safety globally.
11. Metric: Workers' Compensation Insurance Premium Reduction
12. Desc: The year-on-year reduction in our global workers' compensation insurance premiums, reflecting improved safety performance and reduced claims.
13. Target: Negotiate a 5% reduction in workers' compensation insurance premiums annually, directly attributable to demonstrably improved safety performance.
14. Freq: Annually, during insurance renewal cycles.
15. Example: If our global premiums are £2M, a 5% reduction means saving £100,000. This is a direct financial benefit from your strategic safety programmes, which the CFO will definitely notice.
16. Metric: Executive EHS Risk Reporting Quality & Impact
17. Desc: The effectiveness and influence of EHS performance and risk profile reports presented to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.
18. Target: Achieve consistent 'Excellent' ratings (e.g., 4.5/5) from executive stakeholders on clarity, insight, and actionability of quarterly EHS reports.
19. Freq: Quarterly, via informal feedback and formal executive surveys.
20. Example: Your quarterly report to the Board's Audit & Risk Committee leads to a strategic decision to allocate an additional £500K for a new safety technology, demonstrating that your insights are driving significant investment and action at the highest level.

Qualitative Metrics

1. Metric: EHS Culture Maturity
2. Desc: The observable shift towards a proactive, interdependent safety culture where EHS is seen as a shared responsibility, not just a department's job.
3. Evidence: Increased employee participation in safety committees; higher rates of near-miss reporting (especially for minor incidents); unsolicited positive feedback from frontline workers about safety improvements; EHS considerations routinely integrated into business planning discussions without prompting; strong 'Stop Work Authority' adoption.
4. Metric: Strategic Influence & Credibility
5. Desc: Your ability to influence C-suite and business unit leaders to embed EHS considerations into their strategic decisions and operational plans.
6. Evidence: You're proactively invited to strategic planning meetings; your recommendations on EHS investments are consistently approved; business leaders seek your counsel on new market entries or M&A activities; you're seen as a trusted advisor, not just a 'safety cop'.
7. Metric: Global Programme Effectiveness
8. Desc: The successful design, deployment, and adoption of global EHS programmes that are culturally sensitive and effective across diverse international sites.
9. Evidence: High adoption rates for new global EHS standards and training modules; positive feedback from regional EHS managers on the practicality and relevance of global programmes; consistent application of EHS policies across different geographies, evidenced by internal audit results; successful navigation of complex cross-jurisdictional regulatory challenges.
10. Metric: Team Leadership & Development
11. Desc: Your ability to build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing global EHS team that can execute the strategic vision.
12. Evidence: Low attrition rates within your direct team; clear succession planning for key roles; positive feedback from your direct reports on their development and career progression; your team consistently meets or exceeds their objectives; you're seen as a fair and supportive leader who empowers their team.

Primary Traits

• Trait: Calm Under Pressure (When the World's on Fire)
• Manifestation: When a serious incident hits a facility in Southeast Asia at 2 AM, you're the one taking the call, methodically assessing the situation, and giving clear, concise instructions to the regional team. You don't panic. You can triage multiple, high-stakes crises simultaneously without getting flustered, always prioritising human safety first. You're the steady hand when everyone else is losing theirs, whether it's an actual emergency or a heated board discussion about a compliance breach.
• Benefit: At this level, your response to a crisis can literally save lives, prevent massive financial penalties, and protect our company's reputation globally. Your ability to think clearly and act decisively under extreme pressure is the difference between a controlled, effective response and a chaotic, damaging one. It's about leading through the storm, not just navigating it.
• Trait: Meticulously Thorough (The Strategic Detail-Hound)
• Manifestation: You're the one who spots the subtle inconsistency in a global EHS audit report that could signal a systemic failure. You'll review a new regulatory interpretation from the EU and immediately identify its implications for our operations in Poland and Germany, not just the UK. You ensure that the data presented to the Board is not just accurate, but robust enough to withstand intense scrutiny. This isn't about small details; it's about the critical details that inform enterprise-level decisions.
• Benefit: A single oversight in a global EHS strategy or a misinterpretation of a complex international regulation can lead to multi-million pound fines, operational shutdowns, or even criminal charges. Your precision at this strategic level ensures our company's global compliance and protects us from significant legal and financial exposure. You're the ultimate safeguard against strategic missteps.
• Trait: Pragmatically Influential (The Safety Evangelist)
• Manifestation: You use compelling data and real-world examples to convince the CFO that investing £1M in new safety technology will actually reduce long-term costs and improve productivity, rather than just being a 'nice to have'. You build strong relationships with regional VPs, so they see you as a strategic partner, not just someone enforcing rules. You can articulate the 'why' behind safety in a way that resonates with different business leaders, getting them to champion safety initiatives themselves.
• Benefit: Safety doesn't happen in a vacuum; it needs to be integrated into every business decision. Your success hinges on your ability to influence senior leaders and drive cultural change across diverse global business units. You make safety a strategic imperative and a business enabler, ensuring it's seen as a value-add, not a cost centre. Without this influence, even the best strategies stay on paper.

Supporting Traits

• Trait: Resilient
• Desc: You'll need to bounce back quickly after a major incident, a tough regulatory audit, or when a significant safety initiative faces unexpected resistance from a business unit. It's about staying focused on the long-term goal, even when things get difficult.
• Trait: Diplomatic
• Desc: You'll often need to deliver critical feedback on EHS performance to senior leaders, or negotiate complex compliance requirements with external regulators. Doing this effectively, without causing unnecessary friction, is crucial for maintaining relationships and achieving our goals.
• Trait: Proactive
• Desc: We expect you to identify potential EHS risks from new market entries, M&A activities, or emerging global regulations well before they become problems. This means looking around corners and anticipating challenges.
• Trait: Patient
• Desc: Changing a global safety culture is a multi-year endeavour. You'll need the patience to drive persistent effort, celebrate small wins, and understand that significant transformation takes time, consistency, and a lot of communication.

Primary Motivators

1. Motivator: Protecting People & Planet
2. Daily: You'll get a deep sense of satisfaction from knowing your strategic decisions and global programmes directly contribute to preventing injuries, saving lives, and reducing our environmental footprint. This isn't just about compliance; it's about making a tangible, positive impact on human well-being and sustainability.
3. Motivator: Driving Organisational Change & Impact
4. Daily: You're motivated by the challenge of transforming an entire organisation's approach to EHS, embedding safety as a core value, and seeing that cultural shift take hold across diverse global teams. You want to build something lasting and meaningful.
5. Motivator: Strategic Problem Solving & Global Navigation
6. Daily: You thrive on dissecting complex, multi-jurisdictional EHS challenges, designing elegant solutions, and influencing senior leaders to adopt them. The intellectual challenge of balancing global standards with local nuances, and staying ahead of emerging risks, energises you.

Potential Demotivators

Honestly, this role isn't for everyone. You'll spend a fair bit of your time trying to get business unit leaders to prioritise safety over short-term production targets. You'll often be the bearer of bad news, reporting incidents or audit findings to the C-suite. You might propose a brilliant, proactive safety investment only to have it deprioritised due to budget constraints, and then have to deal with the fallout when an incident that could have been prevented actually happens. You'll constantly be fighting the 'safety cop' stigma, even at this level, and you'll deal with a lot of 'pencil-whipping' from some teams who just want to tick boxes.

Common Frustrations

1. The constant battle to justify proactive safety investments when the ROI is preventing something that *didn't* happen.
2. Dealing with blame-storming during incident investigations, rather than a focus on systemic root causes.
3. The cultural translation fails where a perfectly good safety programme in one country completely misses the mark in another.
4. Chasing overdue incident reports and CAPAs from busy operational leaders, even with a strong team.
5. The pressure to show continuously improving lagging indicators (like LTIFR) which can sometimes discourage the reporting of minor incidents and near misses needed for learning.
6. Navigating complex, sometimes contradictory, regulatory requirements across numerous international jurisdictions.

What Role Doesn't Offer

1. A purely reactive, incident-response-only role; we're looking for strategic prevention.
2. A role where you're just enforcing rules; you need to be an evangelist and a partner.
3. A quiet, predictable 9-to-5; international incidents don't respect time zones, and strategic challenges are always evolving.
4. A role where you'll always be popular; sometimes you'll have to make tough decisions that aren't well-received, but are necessary for safety.

ADHD Positives

1. The need to quickly triage and respond to high-stakes, urgent EHS incidents can be a real strength, channelling hyperfocus effectively.
2. The varied nature of global EHS challenges, from strategic planning to crisis response, offers constant novelty and stimulation.
3. Excellent problem-solving skills, especially in novel or complex situations, can shine when designing global EHS strategies.

ADHD Challenges and Accommodations

1. Maintaining focus on long-term, multi-year strategic initiatives can be challenging; we can help by breaking down large goals into smaller, more manageable phases with clear milestones.
2. Extensive documentation and detailed regulatory reviews might require dedicated focus blocks; we can offer tools and quiet spaces to support this.
3. Managing multiple global projects and deadlines requires strong organisational support; we use project management tools and offer executive assistant support to help keep things on track.

Dyslexia Positives

1. Often brings strong visual and spatial reasoning skills, which are invaluable for understanding complex operational layouts, process flows, and identifying physical hazards.
2. Excellent big-picture thinking, which is crucial for developing overarching global EHS strategies and seeing how different elements connect.
3. Strong verbal communication and storytelling abilities can be highly effective when presenting EHS risks and strategies to executive leadership and the Board.

Dyslexia Challenges and Accommodations

1. Reading and interpreting dense regulatory documents from multiple countries can be demanding; we can provide text-to-speech software, summary tools, and support for proofreading key documents.
2. Producing detailed written reports for the Board or regulatory bodies might require extra time; we encourage the use of templates, visual aids, and offer editorial support.
3. Organising complex written information; we use structured templates for reports and presentations, and encourage visual communication where possible.

Autism Positives

1. A strong adherence to rules and procedures is a significant asset in a compliance-heavy role, ensuring consistency across global operations.
2. Exceptional ability to focus on detail and identify patterns in EHS data, which is critical for robust risk assessments and incident investigations.
3. Direct and clear communication style can be highly effective in conveying critical safety information and expectations to diverse teams.
4. A deep commitment to accuracy and thoroughness, especially in regulatory interpretation and audit preparation.

Autism Challenges and Accommodations

1. Navigating complex social dynamics in cross-cultural leadership and influence situations can be challenging; we provide coaching on cultural nuances and communication styles.
2. Adapting to sudden changes in global priorities or unexpected EHS crises; we aim for clear communication about changes and provide structured support during emergencies.
3. Understanding unstated expectations in executive-level interactions; we promote direct feedback and clear communication of expectations in all meetings and interactions.

Key Responsibilities

Experience Levels Responsibilities

1. Level: Director of Global EHS (16-20 years experience)
2. Responsibilities: Define the overarching global EHS strategy and vision, translating company objectives into actionable programmes that protect our people and the environment across all international business units.
3. Lead and mentor a high-performing global team of EHS managers and specialists, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional development.
4. Drive the implementation and continuous improvement of our ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems across all major global sites, ensuring consistent application and certification.
5. Act as the primary EHS liaison with the Executive Leadership Team and the Board of Directors, presenting quarterly EHS performance, risk profiles, and strategic recommendations.
6. Oversee the management of major incident investigations, ensuring robust root cause analysis (RCA) and the implementation of effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) across the organisation.
7. Manage the global EHS budget (typically £2M-£10M+), making strategic allocation decisions for technology, training, and personnel to maximise impact and return on investment.
8. Represent the company externally on EHS matters, engaging with key regulatory bodies, industry associations, and strategic partners to influence policy and share best practices.
9. Lead the EHS due diligence and integration efforts for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, ensuring that all new ventures align with our global safety and environmental standards.
10. Develop and implement robust travel risk management policies and procedures, ensuring the safety and security of our international workforce, especially in high-risk regions.
11. Champion a proactive safety culture where every employee, regardless of role, feels empowered to exercise 'Stop Work Authority' and contribute to a safer workplace.
12. Supervision: You'll operate with full strategic autonomy, reporting directly to the COO with monthly strategic alignment meetings. Your focus is on setting the direction, empowering your team, and ensuring enterprise-wide EHS performance. Day-to-day execution is delegated to your leadership team.
13. Decision: You'll have full strategic authority for the global EHS function, including budget allocation (typically £2M-£10M+), organisational design within EHS, hiring and performance management for your direct reports, and vendor selection for global EHS platforms and services. You'll make critical decisions on major incident responses and regulatory compliance strategies. Board-level EHS recommendations require alignment with the COO and CEO.
14. Success: Success at this level means a demonstrable reduction in global incident rates, achieving and maintaining international EHS certifications (like ISO 45001) across all key sites, and a significant improvement in our overall EHS culture as evidenced by employee engagement and audit results. You'll be seen as a trusted strategic advisor to the C-suite and the Board, with your recommendations consistently driving positive change and protecting the business.

Decision-Making Authority

• Type: Global EHS Strategy & Policy
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Global EHS Budget Allocation
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Major Incident Response & Communication
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: EHS Technology & Platform Selection
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A
• Type: Organisational Design & Hiring within EHS
• Entry: N/A
• Mid: N/A
• Senior: N/A

Competency Requirements

Foundation Skills (Transferable)

At the Director level, your foundation skills aren't just about personal effectiveness; they're about leading, influencing, and shaping the entire organisation. These are the bedrock upon which your strategic EHS leadership is built.

• Category: Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Skills: Ability to define and articulate a compelling global EHS vision that aligns with overall business strategy.
• Demonstrated capability to lead and inspire diverse, geographically dispersed teams.
• Expertise in organisational change management, driving cultural transformation across the enterprise.
• Strong business acumen, understanding how EHS impacts financial performance, operations, and reputation.
• Category: Executive Communication & Influence
• Skills: Exceptional ability to communicate complex EHS risks and strategies clearly and concisely to C-suite executives and Board members.
• Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority, building consensus and driving action.
• Skilled in cross-cultural communication, adapting messages for diverse international audiences.
• Adept at managing media relations and public communications during EHS crises.
• Category: Complex Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Skills: Ability to analyse ambiguous, high-stakes EHS challenges and develop pragmatic, effective solutions.
• Expertise in critical thinking, anticipating potential risks and developing proactive mitigation strategies.
• Proven ability to make sound, timely decisions under pressure, especially during incident response.
• Skilled in balancing competing priorities (e.g., safety vs. production) to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Category: Organisational Agility & Resilience
• Skills: Capacity to adapt EHS strategies and programmes in response to evolving global regulations, market conditions, and business needs.
• Ability to lead through uncertainty and maintain focus during periods of significant organisational change or crisis.
• Strong personal resilience, bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive, solution-oriented approach.
• A commitment to continuous learning and staying abreast of global EHS best practices and emerging risks.

Functional Skills (Role-Specific Technical)

These are the core technical and domain-specific skills you'll need to lead our global EHS function. We're looking for someone who doesn't just understand these concepts, but can architect and govern their application across a complex international organisation.

Technical Competencies

• Skill: ISO Management Systems (45001, 14001, 9001)
• Desc: Expertise in designing, implementing, auditing, and maintaining integrated ISO 45001 (OH&S) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) management systems across a global enterprise. You'll understand how to integrate these with ISO 9001 (Quality) for a holistic approach.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Systematic Risk Assessment & Management
• Desc: Deep expertise in applying and governing advanced risk assessment methodologies like Bow-Tie Analysis for major hazards, FMEA for process safety, and comprehensive Job Safety Analysis (JSA) across diverse global operations. You'll define the enterprise-wide risk assessment framework.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Advanced Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Desc: Expertise in leading and overseeing complex, multi-jurisdictional incident investigations, moving beyond immediate causes to identify systemic failures using advanced techniques (e.g., TapRooT®, SCAT). You'll ensure lessons learned are embedded globally.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) Programme Design & Governance
• Desc: Expert knowledge in designing, implementing, and sustaining effective BBS programmes at an enterprise level, focusing on positive reinforcement and cultural integration, not just compliance. You'll ensure programmes are culturally adapted for global success.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: International Regulatory Navigation & Interpretation
• Desc: Mastery in researching, interpreting, and translating complex and often conflicting safety and environmental regulations from multiple global jurisdictions (e.g., OSHA, EU-OSHA, UK HSE, local country laws) into practical, enterprise-wide guidance and policies. This means understanding the nuances and legal implications.
• Level: Expert
• Skill: Human Factors & Ergonomics (HFE) Integration
• Desc: Expertise in integrating HFE principles into operational design, risk assessments, and incident investigations across the global organisation, ensuring that work systems are designed around human capabilities to prevent errors and injuries.
• Level: Advanced

Digital Tools

• Tool: EHS Management Platform (e.g., Intelex, Enablon, VelocityEHS, Cority)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Leading platform selection, managing vendor relationships, architecting enterprise-wide data structures and integrations, ensuring the platform supports global EHS strategy and reporting needs.
• Tool: Data Visualization (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Defining the enterprise EHS data visualization strategy, ensuring dashboards align with executive-level KPIs and board reporting needs, using data to drive strategic decisions and influence stakeholders.
• Tool: Learning Management System (LMS) (e.g., Cornerstone OnDemand, SAP Litmos, Docebo)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Setting global EHS training standards, evaluating and selecting LMS platforms to meet enterprise compliance and development goals, ensuring training effectiveness is measured and reported at a strategic level.
• Tool: Travel Risk Management (e.g., International SOS, Healix, WorldAware)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Setting corporate travel security policy, managing the contract and relationship with the travel risk provider, briefing executives on geopolitical risks and their implications for our global workforce.
• Tool: Collaboration & Documentation (e.g., MS Teams, SharePoint, Confluence)
• Level: Strategic
• Usage: Establishing the information architecture for all global EHS documentation, ensuring version control, auditability, and ease of access for all international teams, supporting global communication during crises.
• Tool: GRC Platform (e.g., ServiceNow GRC, Archer, OneTrust)
• Level: Advanced
• Usage: Managing the EHS module within the broader GRC platform, aligning safety and environmental risk registers with enterprise risk, and ensuring EHS risks are accurately reported to the board's risk committee.

Industry Knowledge

• Area: Global EHS Best Practices & Benchmarking
• Desc: Deep understanding of leading EHS practices across various industries and geographies, with the ability to benchmark our performance against peers and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Area: ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Integration
• Desc: Knowledge of how EHS performance contributes to the broader ESG agenda and the ability to integrate EHS metrics and narratives into corporate sustainability reporting and investor relations.
• Area: Process Safety Management (PSM)
• Desc: Advanced understanding of PSM principles and their application in high-hazard industries, including hazard identification, risk analysis, and management of change for critical processes.
• Area: Crisis Management & Business Continuity Planning
• Desc: Expertise in developing and implementing EHS-related crisis management plans and integrating them into broader business continuity frameworks, especially for international operations.

Regulatory Compliance Regulations

• Reg: UK Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 & Associated Regulations
• Usage: Ensuring full compliance for UK operations and understanding how these principles inform our global standards.
• Reg: EU-OSHA Directives & Member State Transpositions
• Usage: Guiding compliance for all EU operations, navigating the complexities of directives and their implementation in specific member states.
• Reg: OSHA Standards (USA)
• Usage: Ensuring compliance for any US-based operations, understanding specific federal and state-level requirements.
• Reg: International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions & Recommendations
• Usage: Using ILO frameworks as a baseline for EHS standards in countries where local regulations might be less developed, ensuring fundamental worker protections.
• Reg: Specific Regional/Country EHS Legislation (e.g., Brazil, India, China)
• Usage: Directing regional teams on compliance with local laws, often requiring deep dives into specific national legislation, leveraging local expertise.

Essential Prerequisites

• A proven track record of leading and managing global or multi-regional EHS functions for at least 5-8 years.
• Demonstrated success in driving significant reductions in incident rates and improving safety culture across diverse operational environments.
• Extensive experience in developing and implementing enterprise-wide EHS management systems (e.g., ISO 45001).
• Experience presenting EHS performance and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and/or Board members.
• Strong financial acumen, including managing large EHS budgets and demonstrating ROI for safety investments.
• A deep understanding of international EHS regulatory landscapes and the ability to navigate complex compliance challenges.

Career Pathway Context

To thrive as a Director, you'll have already mastered the operational and programmatic aspects of EHS. This role is about taking that expertise and applying it at a strategic, enterprise-wide level, influencing the highest levels of the organisation and shaping our global future.

Qualifications & Credentials

Emerging Foundation Skills

• Skill: AI-Powered Predictive EHS & Strategic Foresight
• Why: Competitors are already using advanced analytics and AI to predict potential incident hotspots, anticipate regulatory changes, and optimise resource allocation. EHS leaders who can harness these tools will gain a significant strategic advantage, moving from reactive to truly predictive safety management.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Machine learning models for incident prediction (e', 'description': 'Machine learning models for incident prediction (e.g., identifying correlations between weather, shift patterns, and incident types)'}, {'concept_name': 'Natural Language Processing (NLP) for analysing un', 'description': 'Natural Language Processing (NLP) for analysing unstructured data (e.g., near-miss reports, audit comments) to uncover hidden risks'}, {'concept_name': 'AI-driven regulatory scanning and impact assessmen', 'description': 'AI-driven regulatory scanning and impact assessment'}, {'concept_name': 'Ethical considerations and bias in AI for EHS deci', 'description': 'Ethical considerations and bias in AI for EHS decision-making'}, {'concept_name': 'Integration of AI insights into executive risk das', 'description': 'Integration of AI insights into executive risk dashboards'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Engage with our data science team to understand their capabilities and identify potential EHS use cases for AI.
• Next 6 months: Lead a pilot project using predictive analytics to identify high-risk areas in one business unit, demonstrating tangible results.
• Month 7-12: Develop a roadmap for integrating AI into our global EHS risk management and reporting frameworks.
• Ongoing: Stay current with industry whitepapers and conferences on AI in EHS, sharing insights with your team and executive peers.
• QuickWin: Start experimenting with off-the-shelf AI tools (like ChatGPT or Claude) to summarise complex regulatory documents or draft initial sections of strategic reports. No approval needed, immediate time savings.
• Skill: Climate Risk & Resilience Integration
• Why: Climate change isn't just an environmental issue; it's a growing safety and operational risk. Extreme weather events (floods, heatwaves, wildfires) directly impact worker safety, supply chain resilience, and facility operations. EHS leaders must integrate climate risk assessment and adaptation into their core strategy.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Physical climate risks (e.g., impact of extreme he', 'description': 'Physical climate risks (e.g., impact of extreme heat on outdoor workers, flood risk to facilities)'}, {'concept_name': 'Transition climate risks (e.g., regulatory changes', 'description': 'Transition climate risks (e.g., regulatory changes, carbon pricing affecting operations)'}, {'concept_name': 'Climate risk assessment methodologies (e.g., TCFD ', 'description': 'Climate risk assessment methodologies (e.g., TCFD recommendations)'}, {'concept_name': 'Developing climate adaptation and mitigation strat', 'description': 'Developing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies for EHS'}, {'concept_name': 'Integrating climate resilience into business conti', 'description': 'Integrating climate resilience into business continuity and disaster recovery plans'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Partner with our sustainability team (if we have one) to understand current climate risk assessments and identify EHS overlaps.
• Next 6 months: Conduct a preliminary assessment of climate-related EHS risks for our most vulnerable global sites.
• Month 7-12: Develop a framework for integrating climate risk considerations into our existing EHS risk management processes and reporting.
• Ongoing: Participate in industry forums focused on climate change and occupational safety, bringing back best practices.
• QuickWin: Review existing incident data for any correlation with extreme weather events over the last 5 years. This can highlight immediate areas of concern for your team to address.

Advancing Technical Skills

• Skill: Advanced EHS Data Governance & Analytics
• Why: With the explosion of EHS data, the ability to ensure data quality, integrity, and derive actionable insights at a global level is paramount. You'll need to govern how data is collected, stored, analysed, and reported to drive strategic decisions and meet regulatory scrutiny.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'Data quality frameworks for EHS metrics', 'description': 'Data quality frameworks for EHS metrics'}, {'concept_name': 'Global data harmonisation and standardisation', 'description': 'Global data harmonisation and standardisation'}, {'concept_name': 'Advanced statistical analysis for EHS trend identi', 'description': 'Advanced statistical analysis for EHS trend identification'}, {'concept_name': 'Ethical data use and privacy considerations in EHS', 'description': 'Ethical data use and privacy considerations in EHS'}, {'concept_name': 'Leveraging EHS data for predictive modelling and b', 'description': 'Leveraging EHS data for predictive modelling and benchmarking'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Review our current EHS data architecture and identify gaps in data governance.
• Next 6 months: Work with IT and your team to implement a global EHS data quality improvement plan.
• Month 7-12: Develop a strategic roadmap for advanced EHS analytics capabilities, including AI integration.
• Ongoing: Participate in data governance forums and EHS data science communities.
• QuickWin: Mandate a quarterly data quality audit for key EHS metrics across all regions, identifying and rectifying discrepancies immediately.
• Skill: Digital Transformation of EHS Processes
• Why: The move towards fully digitised EHS processes, from incident reporting to audit management and training delivery, is accelerating. You'll need to lead this transformation, ensuring our EHS tech stack is integrated, efficient, and supports our global strategy.
• Concepts: [{'concept_name': 'EHS platform integration with HR, ERP, and other b', 'description': 'EHS platform integration with HR, ERP, and other business systems'}, {'concept_name': 'Mobile-first EHS solutions for frontline workers', 'description': 'Mobile-first EHS solutions for frontline workers'}, {'concept_name': 'Automation of routine EHS tasks (e.g., compliance ', 'description': 'Automation of routine EHS tasks (e.g., compliance checks, report generation)'}, {'concept_name': 'Cybersecurity considerations for EHS data and syst', 'description': 'Cybersecurity considerations for EHS data and systems'}, {'concept_name': 'User adoption strategies for new EHS technologies', 'description': 'User adoption strategies for new EHS technologies'}]
• Prepare: This quarter: Conduct an assessment of our current EHS digital maturity and identify key areas for improvement.
• Next 6 months: Champion the selection and implementation of a new module within our EHS platform to automate a key process.
• Month 7-12: Develop a multi-year digital transformation roadmap for the global EHS function.
• Ongoing: Attend technology expos and engage with EHS tech vendors to stay informed on innovations.
• QuickWin: Identify one manual, repetitive EHS process that can be immediately digitised or automated using existing tools, and empower your team to implement it.

Education Requirements

• Level: Minimum
• Req: A Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Alts: Extensive (20+ years) direct, progressive experience in global EHS leadership roles, coupled with relevant professional certifications, may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.
• Level: Preferred
• Req: A Master's degree (e.g., MSc in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management, or an MBA with a focus on operations/risk management).
• Alts: A strong portfolio of executive-level EHS leadership, published articles, or significant contributions to industry standards.

Experience Requirements

You'll need at least 16-20 years of progressive experience in Environmental, Health, and Safety roles, with a significant portion (at least 8-10 years) spent in senior leadership positions overseeing global or multi-regional operations. This should include direct experience managing large EHS teams, developing and implementing enterprise-wide EHS strategies, and presenting to executive leadership and/or Board members. Experience in a complex, multinational manufacturing or industrial environment is highly advantageous.

Preferred Certifications

• Cert: Lead Auditor for ISO 45001 / ISO 14001
• Prod: IRCA or similar accredited body
• Usage: Demonstrates deep understanding of management systems and the ability to ensure compliance and continuous improvement across global sites.
• Cert: Environmental Management Certification (e.g., IEMA Certificate)
• Prod: IEMA or equivalent
• Usage: Enhances capability in managing environmental aspects of the role, particularly for ISO 14001 and sustainability reporting.
• Cert: Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Prod: Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Usage: Useful for managing complex global EHS programme rollouts and strategic initiatives effectively.

Recommended Activities

• Regularly attend and present at international EHS conferences and industry forums (e.g., NSC Congress, AIHA Connect, IOSH conferences).
• Participate in executive leadership development programmes focused on global business strategy and change management.
• Engage in peer networking groups for Global EHS Directors to share best practices and benchmark performance.
• Pursue continuous learning in emerging areas like AI in EHS, climate risk management, and ESG reporting.
• Mentor junior EHS professionals, contributing to the development of future safety leaders.

Career Progression Pathways

Entry Paths to This Role

• Path: Global Safety Manager / Head of Regional EHS
• Time: 5-8 years in this role
• Path: Lead International Safety Specialist (SME)
• Time: 8-12 years in this role
• Path: Operations Director with EHS Focus
• Time: 5-10 years in this role

Career Progression From This Role

• Pathway: VP, Global Safety & Compliance
• Time: 3-5 years
• Pathway: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Time: 5-8 years

Long Term Vision Potential Roles

• Title: Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
• Time: 5-10 years
• Title: Board Member / Non-Executive Director (NED)
• Time: 8-15 years
• Title: Global EHS Consultant / Advisor
• Time: 10-15 years

How Zavmo Delivers This Role's Development

DISCOVER Phase: Skills Gap Analysis

Zavmo maps your current competencies against all requirements in this job description through conversational assessment. We evaluate your foundation skills (communication, strategic thinking), functional skills (CRM expertise, negotiation), and readiness for career progression.

Output: Personalised skills gap heat map showing strengths and priorities, estimated time to competency, neurodiversity accommodations.

DISCUSS Phase: Personalised Learning Pathway

Based on your DISCOVER results, Zavmo creates a personalised learning plan prioritised by impact: foundation skills first, then functional skills. We adapt to your learning style, pace, and neurodiversity needs (ADHD, dyslexia, autism).

Output: Week-by-week schedule, each module linked to specific job responsibilities, checkpoints and milestones.

DELIVER Phase: Conversational Learning

Learn through conversation, not boring modules. Zavmo uses 10 conversation types (Socratic dialogue, role-play, coaching, case studies) to build competence. Practice difficult QBR presentations, negotiate tough renewals, and handle churn conversations in a safe AI environment before facing real clients.

Example: "For 'Stakeholder Mapping', Zavmo will guide you through analysing a complex enterprise account, identifying key decision-makers, and building an engagement strategy."

DEMONSTRATE Phase: Competency Assessment

Zavmo automatically builds your evidence portfolio as you learn. Every conversation, practice scenario, and application example is captured and mapped to NOS performance criteria. When ready, your portfolio supports OFQUAL qualification claims and demonstrates competence to employers.

Output: Competency matrix, evidence portfolio (downloadable), qualification readiness, career progression score.