Vice President of Safety

Reports to: President

Location: Chicago, IL (with regular travel to Northwest Indiana, Westmont, and project sites across all regions)

Department: Safety & Risk Management

Position Summary

The Vice President of Safety is responsible for leading Berglund Construction's company-wide safety vision and cultivating a deep, organization-wide culture of safety ownership. This role is not just about compliance—it's about building a mindset where every employee, from the field to the front office, takes personal responsibility for safety. The Vice President will be a visible, trusted leader across all levels of the company, spending a majority of time in the field observing, coaching, and reinforcing best practices on active jobsites.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Culture & Leadership

Champion a culture of safety ownership where every individual understands and embraces their role in protecting themselves and their teammates.
Lead by example through consistent field presence—regularly visiting job sites to observe conditions, engage with crews, and reinforce Berglund's safety values.
Inspire commitment to safety through communication, recognition, and hands-on mentorship.
Serve as a respected advisor and partner to Division VPs, Project Executives, and Superintendents in maintaining and improving safe operations.

Strategic Direction & Program Management

Develop and execute a comprehensive safety strategy aligned with Berglund's mission, values, and growth objectives.
Oversee all company safety programs, training, and compliance efforts to meet or exceed OSHA and client requirements.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce incidents and enhance leading indicator performance.
Coordinate with Human Resources and Risk Management to align training, claims management, and workers' compensation processes.

Field Engagement & Operational Partnership

Work hand-in-hand with project teams to integrate safety into preconstruction planning, logistics, and daily execution.
Support and empower field safety professionals with tools, training, and consistent guidance.
Lead thorough investigations of incidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions, ensuring lessons learned are widely shared and acted upon.

Measurement & Accountability

Track and report safety performance metrics, trends, and KPIs to company leadership.
Develop actionable insights to strengthen jobsite safety performance and reduce risk exposure.
Benchmark Berglund's safety performance against industry peers to maintain best-in-class standards.

Qualifications

10+ years of progressive safety leadership experience in commercial construction, restoration, or industrial settings.
Bachelor's degree in Occupational Safety, Construction Management, or related discipline (Master's preferred).
CSP, CHST, ASP, or similar safety certifications preferred.
Proven ability to influence culture and lead teams across multiple locations and business units.
Strong knowledge of OSHA regulations, construction safety practices, and risk management principles.
Excellent communication and coaching skills—able to connect authentically with field staff and executives alike.

Performance Indicators

Demonstrated reduction in TRIR, DART, and other key incident metrics.
Increased employee engagement and ownership in safety programs.
Consistent, visible field presence and proactive leadership.
Positive recognition from clients, regulatory bodies, and internal teams for safety excellence.

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