Safety Manager – Commercial Construction
Location: Nashville, TN / Bowling Green, KY
Employment Type: Full-Time
Project Assignment Location: Bowling Green, KY
Position Overview
Our client, an established commercial general contractor and construction management firm, is seeking an experienced Safety Manager to provide leadership and oversight of construction safety operations within its regional project portfolio.
This position will be based within the Nashville regional organization, with primary project assignments located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The Safety Manager will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring comprehensive construction safety initiatives while supporting project leadership, subcontractors, and field personnel in maintaining a safe and compliant work environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, results-oriented safety professional who combines strong technical knowledge of regulatory requirements with the leadership skills necessary to promote accountability, prevent workplace incidents, and establish a culture focused on injury prevention and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Safety Leadership & Program Management
- Promote a proactive, zero-injury safety culture across assigned construction projects through leadership, employee engagement, and consistent enforcement of established safety standards.
- Develop, implement, and monitor regional safety improvement initiatives and corrective action plans designed to strengthen overall safety performance.
- Partner with regional leadership, project management teams, field supervisors, craft personnel, subcontractors, and corporate safety professionals to align safety objectives with operational priorities.
- Maintain a consistent and visible presence at active construction sites, providing timely guidance and resolution of safety-related concerns.
- Support ongoing communication and coordination of safety initiatives, internal assignments, and compliance-related activities.
Construction Site Safety & Risk Management
- Collaborate with project management personnel to evaluate construction schedules, anticipate potential hazards, and incorporate appropriate risk mitigation strategies into project planning.
- Participate in preconstruction meetings to identify project-specific safety requirements, exposure risks, and preventive measures.
- Coordinate and conduct subcontractor safety orientations, site safety briefings, and related training activities.
- Perform weekly construction site safety inspections, document findings, and coordinate corrective actions to address unsafe conditions or practices.
- Lead or support investigations involving workplace accidents, injuries, incidents, and near misses, including root cause evaluation and recommendations for prevention.
- Review subcontractor safety qualifications and project-specific safety plans to verify compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and established company standards.
- Assist construction teams in developing safe work practices appropriate to project activities, equipment, and site conditions.
Regulatory Compliance & Safety Procedures
- Monitor construction activities for compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other relevant occupational safety and environmental regulations.
- Provide technical interpretation and practical guidance regarding regulatory requirements, company safety policies, and industry best practices.
- Assist in the development, evaluation, revision, and implementation of safety policies, operating procedures, and task-specific work instructions.
- Promote consistent application of established safety programs and procedures across project sites and regional operations.
- Verify that appropriate emergency preparedness plans, response protocols, and supporting procedures are established and maintained at assigned project locations.
- Support management teams in addressing compliance concerns, implementing corrective actions, and maintaining required safety documentation.
Safety Training & Employee Development
- Develop, coordinate, and deliver construction safety training programs for field employees, project management personnel, and subcontractor teams.
- Provide technical support and safety guidance to project teams and fellow safety professionals.
- Identify training opportunities based on jobsite observations, incident trends, regulatory developments, and operational requirements.
- Reinforce safe work practices through ongoing coaching, employee engagement, and collaboration with field leadership.
Safety Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Collect, analyze, and interpret safety performance data to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Prepare reports, performance summaries, and recommendations for project leadership, regional management, and corporate safety teams.
- Track safety observations, inspection findings, incident investigations, corrective actions, and related compliance activities.
- Provide regulatory interpretations, safety performance insights, and operational recommendations to support organizational objectives, efficient project execution, and financial performance.
- Ensure safety-related information, reports, and internal assignments are communicated accurately and completed within established deadlines.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support continuous improvement of construction safety management practices and regional safety performance.
- Maintain professional relationships with internal teams, subcontractors, regulatory representatives, and other project stakeholders.
- Perform additional safety management and operational responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Environmental Health and Safety, Occupational Safety, Construction Safety, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in construction safety, including responsibility for safety program implementation, regulatory compliance, and field operations.
- Technical working knowledge of OSHA, EPA, and DOT regulations and their application to construction activities.
- Practical experience developing, coordinating, and delivering employee safety training programs.
- Demonstrated ability to identify construction hazards, evaluate project-related risks, and implement appropriate preventive measures.
- Experience supporting construction project teams with safety inspections, incident investigations, corrective actions, and regulatory compliance.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage field personnel, subcontractors, project management teams, and senior leadership.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports, deliver training, and communicate technical safety requirements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach to safety management and operational improvement.
- Ability to maintain an active presence at construction sites and support project operations in Bowling Green, KY.
Additional Employment Requirements
Work Authorization: The company does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Drug-Free Workplace: All employees must comply with the company's substance abuse prevention policies. Employment offers may be contingent upon successfully completing a post-offer, pre-employment drug screening.
Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a professional, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.