Director, Safety

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices. Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future , we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy. Job Title Director, Safety – AES Indiana & AES Ohio Location Indianapolis, IN and/or Dayton, OH with regular travel to operational sites across Indiana and Ohio. Hybrid/On-site presence expected based on business needs. Reports To COO, US Utilities Position Summary The Safety Director leads health & safety strategy and execution for AES Indiana and AES Ohio across Generation, Transmission & Distribution (T&D), operational/field sites, and all Construction - including Growth projects and programmatic capital programs . This leader is accountable for building and sustaining a strong safety culture, ensuring safety compliance, strengthening serious incident prevention, and improving health & safety performance through standardized systems, disciplined governance, and field-focused leadership. This role partners closely with Operations leaders, T&D, Generation, Program/Project teams, Central Operations, HR, Legal, Supply Chain, Finance, and the enterprise EHS Center of Expertise (CoE) to ensure AES’s safety management system is implemented consistently while enabling local execution excellence and risk reduction across both company and contractor workforces. Scope Two regulated electric utilities with diverse operational risk profiles Coverage includes: Power generation facilities and associated operational sites T&D field operations (line work, substations, vegetation, construction) Fleet, warehouses, service centers, storm response operations Contractor and vendor workforces supporting O&M and capital delivery All safety oversight for Construction across both utilities , including: Growth projects (ongoing and new generation as applicable, interconnections, substations, large load enablement, major reliability upgrades) Programmatic programs (Smart Grid, system hardening, reconductoring, substation upgrades, fleet/facilities projects) Major contractor mobilizations, EPC/GC-led work, and multi-site execution Key Outcomes / Success Measures Sustained improvement in serious injury and fatality prevention performance (SIP) and critical risk control verification Strong compliance performance with OSHA and state/local requirements (no significant findings; timely corrective actions) Improved leading indicators: field observations, hazard reporting, corrective action closure, training completion, contractor compliance High-quality investigations and learning dissemination with measurable recurrence reduction Increased consistency of health & safety standards, tools, and routines across both utilities and across capital delivery portfolios Key Responsibilities 1) Safety Leadership & Culture Lead a “safety-first” culture across Generation, T&D, and Construction, reinforcing visible field leadership and consistent expectations. Coach operational and project leaders on safety leadership behaviors, accountability, and decision-making under risk. Establish and sustain effective engagement routines: site visits, safety stand-downs, leadership briefings, and field verification of critical controls. 2) Serious Incident Prevention & Critical Risk Management Own and drive serious injury/fatality prevention strategy and execution, including critical risk control verification. Ensure high-risk work is planned and executed with effective controls (energized work and switching, confined space, working at heights, lifting/rigging, excavation, traffic control, contractor work). Strengthen permit-to-work and work authorization processes where applicable. 3) Safety Management System, Governance & Assurance Implement and continuously improve the safety management system locally in alignment with enterprise standards and the EHS CoE. Lead audit/assessment programs, management reviews, and corrective action governance with strong follow-through and transparency. Establish data-driven performance management (dashboards, trend analysis, leading/lagging indicator reviews). 4) Incident Reporting, Investigations & Learning Ensure timely reporting, classification, investigation, and closeout of incidents and near-misses. Lead/oversee investigations for serious events using established methodologies; ensure high-quality root cause analysis and actionable corrective actions. Translate lessons learned into updated procedures, training, and field communications across both utilities and the construction portfolio. 5) Construction Health & Safety Leadership (Growth Projects & Programmatic Programs) Own and lead health & safety governance for all construction and capital delivery work across AES Indiana and AES Ohio, including growth and programmatic portfolios. Partner with Program Management, Engineering, T&D Construction, Generation project teams, Supply Chain, and contractors to embed health & safety requirements into project planning, design reviews, contracting, mobilization, and execution . Ensure consistent application of construction health & safety controls (pre-task planning/JHAs, permits, work zones/traffic control, lifting/rigging plans, energized work boundaries, excavation controls, subcontractor management). Establish field verification routines for large projects/programs (site walks, audits, leading indicator reviews, stop-work reinforcement) and ensure corrective actions are closed with discipline. Lead serious event readiness for projects: escalation protocols, incident response, investigation standards, and lessons-learned deployment across the portfolio. Strengthen contractor qualification, onboarding, and performance management, including clear expectations, KPIs, and consequences for non-compliance. 6) Contractor Safety & Operational Risk Controls Build and enforce contractor health & safety requirements, including onboarding, qualification, field oversight, and performance management. Include construction contractors and project/program vendors in the contractor governance model, with clear onboarding, field oversight, and performance routines. Partner with Supply Chain and project leaders to embed health & safety requirements into contracting, mobilization, and project execution. Drive consistent application of job hazard analysis (JHA), pre-job briefs, stop-work authority, and field verification across O&M and construction. 7) Training, Competency & Workforce Readiness Ensure health & safety training, competency frameworks, and qualification processes are in place for employees and contractors. Partner with Operations, Construction leadership, and HR to strengthen onboarding, refresher training, leadership development, and compliance training completion. Support emergency preparedness and drill programs (including storm response readiness and construction incident readiness). 8) Stakeholder & Regulatory Interface Serve as the primary health & safety interface with regulators as needed (OSHA, state agencies), including inspections, inquiries, and corrective action plans. Partner with Legal and Communications on regulatory matters, reporting, and external stakeholder engagement. Participate in industry and peer utility forums as appropriate. 9) Organization Leadership & Talent Development Lead, develop, and align the safety organization across both utilities; build bench strength and succession plans. Create clear role expectations, operating rhythm, and performance management for safety team members. Build strong cross-functional relationships and influence without authority to drive consistent execution. 10) Budget & Resource Management Manage the safety budget for AES Indiana and AES Ohio, ensuring effective resource allocation and prioritization. Build business cases for critical risk reduction investments (process, training, technology, equipment). Key Interfaces Utility Presidents / COO / Operations leadership Generation, T&D, and Construction/Capital Delivery leadership teams Program/Project Management, Engineering, and Central Operations Enterprise EHS CoE, Risk, Legal, HR, Supply Chain, Finance, Digital/IT Contractors, vendors, and external partners Regulators and local/state agencies Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in safety, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred). 10+ years progressive safety leadership experience in utilities, power generation, T&D, heavy industrial, or similar high-risk operations , including multi-site accountability. Demonstrated success improving serious incident prevention and operational safety performance. Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulatory frameworks; experience managing audits and regulatory interactions. Experience leading incident investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions. Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional change at scale. Preferred Qualifications Professional certification(s): CSP, CIH, CHMM, CPEA, or equivalent. Experience in regulated utility environments and union/contractor-heavy workforces. Experience deploying safety management systems and digital EHS tools (incident management, audits, action tracking, analytics). Leadership Competencies Visible, field-oriented safety leadership; high accountability with strong empathy Clear, concise communicator across frontline to executive levels Strong judgment under pressure; disciplined decision-making Systems thinking, continuous improvement mindset, and operational rigor Ability to lead through influence and build alignment across diverse stakeholders High integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to AES values Work Environment & Travel Regular travel to operational sites and construction locations across Indiana and Ohio; occasional off-hours availability for incident response and storm/restoration events. Work involves exposure to industrial environments and field conditions; appropriate PPE and adherence to site requirements are mandatory. AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.