Business Operations, Business Skills, Business Solutions, Business Strategy, Coaching, Collective Bargaining, Communication Skills, Computer Security, Continuous Improvement, Cost Modeling, Cross-Functional, Environmental Compliance, Environmental Health, Environmental Work, Human Resources, Human Resources Strategy, Incident Response, Industrial Relations, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Operations, Negotiation Skills, OSHA, Operating Systems, Operational Strategy, Operations Security (OPSEC), Organizational Culture, Organizational Development/Management, Organizational Skills, Performance Management, Physical Security, Process Improvement, Project/Program Management, Regulations, Risk Management, Safety Training, Safety/Work Safety, Succession Planning, United States Navy (USN)
The Vice President, Human Resources, EHS & Security is a strategic leadership role accountable for developing and implementing organization-wide people, safety, environmental, and security strategies that strengthen Bath Iron Works’ ability to meet its commitments to the U.S. Navy, the workforce, and the business.
This position reports directly to the President and is responsible to lead Human Resources, Labor Relations, Environmental Health & Safety, Security, Medical, and Compliance functions in a large-scale, unionized, 24/7 manufacturing environment. Operating under the BIW Business Operating System (BOS), the VP ensures that people, safety, and workforce strategies align with operational excellence goals, builds strong cross-functional relationships across the organization, and advances a performance‑based culture focused on safety, workforce stability, and business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic People Leadership:
- Develop and execute organization‑wide people strategies aligned with BIW’s business, operational, and workforce objectives
- Provide strategic workforce insights to senior leadership to guide business decision‑making
- Ensure HR strategies support BOS principles and operational excellence goals
- Align people systems with continuous improvement and performance expectations
- Lead the integration of people strategies with major operational initiatives
Labor Relations Leadership:
- Lead collective bargaining strategy and major labor negotiations
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with union leadership
- Oversee grievance handling, arbitration strategy, and contract interpretation
- Ensure labor relations practices support workforce stability and attendance, performance and engagement goals
- Partner with operations and labor leaders to navigate complex union‑related challenges
Environmental Health, Safety & Security Leadership:
- Ensure OSHA compliance and lead major safety investigations and regulatory interactions
- Oversee environmental compliance programs and support readiness for audits
- Strengthen safety culture and expectations across hourly and salaried workforces
- Lead Security operations including physical security, incident response, and risk mitigation
- Embed safety and security requirements into training, performance systems, and leadership expectations
Operational & Manufacturing Partnership:
- Serve as a trusted business partner to operations leaders in a high‑volume, safety‑critical manufacturing environment
- Understand and influence key operational drivers including labor cost, staffing models, productivity, throughput, and workforce readiness
- Support workforce strategies for 24/7 operations and large-scale industrial production
- Provide leadership during operational disruptions, workforce instability, or performance challenges
- Ensure people and safety strategies directly support quality, schedule, cost and workforce requirements
Business Outcomes & Organizational Performance:
- Drive improvements in Safety, Quality, Schedule, Cost, and People performance
- Lead cross‑functional initiatives that improve workforce effectiveness and operational reliability
- Hold leaders accountable for performance, alignment, and leadership expectations
- Lead change efforts that strengthen organizational capability and performance culture
- Ensure people, safety, and workforce strategies support company‑wide performance goals
Leadership Development & Culture:
- Build leadership capability across functions, including succession planning and development of future leaders
- Promote a culture rooted in accountability, trust, safety, and continuous improvement
- Coach leaders through complex and high‑pressure situations
- Strengthen organizational culture through leadership expectations and performance management
- Ensure practices support an engaged, productive, and mission-focused workforce
Required/Preferred Education/Training:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, Safety, or related field required
- Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or related discipline preferred
Required/Preferred Experience:
- 15+ years of progressively responsible HR leadership experience required
- Significant experience in unionized, large‑scale manufacturing, industrial, shipbuilding, or defense environments
- Experience leading multiple functions including HR, EHS, Security, Labor Relations, or related domains
- Proven success driving business outcomes and aligning people strategies with operational requirements
- Experience leading organizational change, safety leadership, and workforce transformation
- Strong business acumen and ability to work cross‑functionally with senior operational and technical leaders
- Demonstrated success in developing leaders and building high‑performing teams
- Strong executive presence and communication skills across all organizational levels
- Previous operational experience beneficial
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General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works