Safety & Loss Control Specialist

Position Summary The Director of Safety and Risk Mitigation is responsible for building, leading, and continuously improving Hinterland Group's enterprise-wide safety and risk management function. This role owns the strategy, systems, and culture that keep our people safe and our loss exposure low as the company scales across Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Reporting to the COO, the Director partners with executive leadership, Operations, Project Management, HR, and Fleet to embed proactive risk mitigation into every phase of project execution, drive OSHA and multi-state regulatory compliance, and lead a growing safety team. This is a strategic, hands-on leadership role for someone who can operate at the executive table while still walking the job site. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Program Ownership Own and continuously evolve Hinterland Group's company-wide safety and risk mitigation strategy, aligned to business growth and multi-state expansion Build, lead, and mentor a safety team as the company scales, setting standards for performance, accountability, and professional development Establish and report on company-wide safety KPIs (TRIR, EMR, near-miss rates, claim frequency/severity) to the executive leadership Own the safety and risk mitigation budget, including training, PPE, safety technology, and staffing investments Represent safety and risk management in planning and major client or bid discussions where safety performance is a differentiator Job-Site Risk Assessment & Loss Prevention Conduct and oversee job-site inspections and risk assessments to identify hazards and potential loss exposures across all active projects Develop and implement loss prevention and risk mitigation strategies tailored to construction, trenchless, and underground utility work Collaborate with project teams to develop site-specific safety and risk management plans before and during mobilization Analyze loss trends across the portfolio and recommend operational improvements to reduce claim frequency and severity Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Monitor and enforce compliance with company safety programs and applicable OSHA regulations across Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina Stay ahead of evolving multi-state regulatory requirements and ensure Hinterland's programs meet or exceed the strictest applicable standard Review subcontractor insurance certificates, contracts, and risk transfer requirements to protect the company's exposure Maintain accurate, audit-ready records of inspections, incidents, corrective actions, and compliance activities Incident Investigation & Reporting Lead investigations into accidents, incidents, near-misses, and property damage claims Prepare detailed reports outlining findings, root causes, and corrective action plans, and track corrective actions to closure Partner with Legal, HR, and insurance carriers/brokers on claims requiring escalation Training & Safety Culture Design and deliver employee training on risk awareness, accident prevention, and loss control procedures across field and office staff Drive a company-wide culture of proactive safety ownership, not just compliance, at every level from field crews to leadership Partner with HR on onboarding, certifications tracking, and safety-related performance standards Insurance, Workers' Comp & Emergency Preparedness Support workers' compensation management and return-to-work programs in partnership with HR and carriers Manage relationships with insurance brokers and carriers, including renewals, claims reviews, and risk transfer strategy Develop and maintain emergency response and business continuity plans for job sites and corporate operations Oversee fleet safety compliance in partnership with the Fleet department, including DOT-related requirements where applicable Experience & Qualifications 8+ years of progressive experience in construction safety, risk management, or loss control, including experience on commercial, industrial, civil, or heavy construction projects 3+ years in a leadership or management capacity, with direct experience building or scaling a safety function or team Multi-state or multi-site safety program experience strongly preferred, given Hinterland's footprint across FL/NC/SC Experience presenting safety performance and risk strategy to executive leadership or ownership Education & Certifications Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, Risk Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered OSHA 500-Hour Construction Certification preferred One of the following required: CSP (Certified Safety Professional), CHST, CHSO, COSM, or ASP Additional risk management credentials (e.g., ARM, CRIS) a plus Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Deep understanding of construction operations, field hazards, and risk management principles Expert knowledge of OSHA standards, multi-state regulatory requirements, and industry best practices Proven ability to lead and develop a team, and to operate as a strategic partner to executive leadership Strong budget management and vendor/broker relationship skills Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making abilities Strong report writing, documentation, and executive communication skills Ability to travel regularly to project sites across Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and to work in active construction environments Hinterland Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.