Ehs director job details | aecon

Come Build Your Career at Aecon!

Aecon delivers some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure projects from transformative transportation networks to critical energy, industrial and nuclear programs. The projects we build connect communities and power future generations. With deep roots in North America and a strong footprint internationally, Aecon brings global expertise and proudly serves public and private sector clients through its Construction and Concessions segment.

Safety Always is not only our #1 core value it is the standard that anchors our culture. We believe the most ambitious projects deserve the most committed people. At Aecon, you wont just build your career youll help build what matters to enable future generations to thrive.

At Aecon, you can count on:

• Safety Always. Our number one core value. The safety of our people, projects, partners, and stakeholders is our priority focus today and always.
• Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
• Accountability. Were passionate about delivering on our commitments.
• Inclusion. We provide opportunities where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute fully.

We deliver infrastructure with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. Aecon employees are incredibly proud to build some of the most impactful infrastructure of this generation we call it Aecon Proud .

At Aecon we:

• Ensure you and your family receive the services and benefits needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Are intentional when it comes to investing in your development. We help you build your career and advance your skills through our Aecon University, tuition reimbursement, and Leadership Programs.
• Are committed to creating work environments focused on mutual respect, teamwork, collaboration, and new ideas, through meaningful initiatives, training, partnerships with Veteran groups, our Aecon Women in Trades and diversity programs, as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) , to ensure we are building with top talent and harnessing our collective strengths within every aspect of our culture.
• Operate responsibly by managing risk, safety, and environmental considerations across all our projects and surrounding communities.

Our success is built on the passion, expertise, and dedication of our people. Together, we embrace strong execution, innovation, and continuous improvement values that come to life through the unique talents and collaborative spirit of every team member. If youre inspired to make a difference through future-building projects, join our best-in-class team.

What is the Opportunity?

Aecon is a North American leader in infrastructure development, safely and sustainably building what matters so future generations can thrive. We deliver some of today's most impactful infrastructure and energy projects, partnering every day to build, connect, power and strengthen our communities. The Director, EHS is the senior EHS leader for an assigned sector or operating area. Reporting to the Vice President, EHS and supporting the sector's Senior Vice President, the role leads EHS performance for the sector, embedding the Aecon EHS Management System (the Redbook) and its requirements into how work is planned and executed, using the APEX EHS Assurance Program to confirm those requirements are in place and effective, leading the operational EHS team, and working closely with operational executives and project leadership to strengthen consistency, accountability and risk management across the business.

What You'll Do Here: Interface with the Sector

• Serve as the principal EHS leader and trusted advisor to the sector Senior Vice President and executive team, providing insight to operational and project leadership on established safety expectations, procedures, accountabilities and best practice.
• Actively participate in operational senior management team meetings and engage senior leaders on EHS issues and opportunities with a clear focus on action.
• Coach, guide and mentor senior operational leaders on EHS requirements and the leadership behaviours expected at Aecon.
• Support the sector Senior Vice President as an integrated member of the sector leadership team, while remaining accountable to the EHS function for upholding Aecon EHS requirements.
• Maintain a pulse on EHS concerns and developments across the area and provide pragmatic, timely solutions to issues affecting the attainment of business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with client and joint-venture EHS leadership, and with EHS counterparts in other sectors, to ensure collaboration, consistency and shared learning.

Driving the Redbook and Assurance into the Business

• Drive consistent implementation of the Aecon EHS Management System (Redbook), the management system and requirements that govern how EHS is managed at Aecon, across the assigned sector and its projects, together with Aecon's EHS strategy, vision, programs, policies and initiatives.
• Ensure the sector meets the requirements of the Redbook and its associated procedures, and that they are applied consistently from project to project.
• Ensure the APEX EHS Assurance Program, the framework and system that assures Redbook requirements are in place and effective, is fully deployed, sustained and continuously improved across the area of responsibility, and that findings drive real improvement rather than administrative closure.
• Support and lead the implementation of EHS programs, initiatives and improvements in the area of responsibility, translating corporate objectives into the sector and tracking delivery.
• Ensure critical risk management requirements are planned for, implemented and verified in the field.
• Ensure subcontractor EHS requirements are met and that subcontractor performance is monitored and escalated as required.
• Identify where requirements are not working in practice for the sector and bring those gaps back into the corporate EHS function through the established change process.

Leading and Building the EHS Team

• Lead and align EHS direct reports with Aecon's EHS strategy, ensuring clear priorities, accountability and measurable results.
• Partner with Operations leadership to effectively manage talent, ensuring timely recruiting, selection, training and development to enable employee enthusiasm, sound execution and growth.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of Aecon EHS operations within the assigned sector, deploying resources to risk.
• Build complementary skills across the team, sustain morale, and drive consistent, high-quality delivery in the field.
• Foster a positive, inclusive environment and a strong learning culture where teams improve from lessons learned and success is recognized.
• Operate effectively in a matrix structure where EHS direct reports also hold a strong working relationship with local project management.

Assurance, Compliance and Incident Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislative and regulatory requirements for the jurisdictions in which work is performed.
• Maintain visible field presence, conducting and overseeing verification activities to confirm that required programs and critical controls are in place and effective and recommending corrective and preventative measures.
• Lead or oversee major incident investigations, ensuring effective root‑cause analysis, meaningful corrective actions, and verified follow‑through and effectiveness.
• Analyze incident and non-conformance trends across the sector and drive the interventions required to address them.
• Collaborate with the EHS Claims team on workers' compensation, claims management and return-to-work; assist in labour relations matters as required.
• Liaise with external stakeholders including regulatory agencies, EHS associations, government inspectors, subcontractors and the public.

Performance, Reporting and Business Support

• Monitor EHS performance and provide recommendations to Operations and EHS executives, with corrective strategies to address trends and emerging risks.
• Emphasize leading indicators, serious injury and fatality prevention, and control verification rather than relying on lagging metrics alone.
• Maintain data fluency across dashboards, trend analysis and performance reporting; prepare periodic EHS status reporting for the sector and for the VP, EHS.
• Support project pursuit and project standup activities to ensure success, including EHS content and resourcing for prequalification, bids and proposals.
• Ensure site‑specific EHS documentation and plans are in place before work begins, with risks and mitigation strategies clearly defined.
• Monitor and report EHS costs and resourcing for the sector under the direction of the VP, EHS.
• Deliver formal presentations to management, clients, partners and industry audiences; represent the organization in community and industry safety associations.

What You Bring to the Team:

• Minimum ten years' experience in an EHS role in construction or a related industry, ideally high hazard.
• Relevant post‑secondary education in Environment, Health and Safety or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing EHS personnel across multiple sites or a large geographic area.
• Strong knowledge of construction projects and of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment legislation.
• Experience implementing EHS programs and management systems in dynamic construction environments, including joint ventures and partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead major incident investigations and to prepare high‑level EHS reports and improvement strategies at the sector level.
• Experience working in unionized and non‑unionized environments.
• Knowledge of change management principles and the ability to drive, lead and support change at the sector and project level.
• Ability to travel extensively, as required.
• A professional designation such as CRSP, or the recognized equivalent in the jurisdiction of work, is considered an asset.

Aecon fosters diversity, inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply including, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. Through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations, appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the interview and hiring process.

As part of our commitment to fair and transparent hiring practices, Aecon may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and reviewing candidates. These tools are applied responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Aecons AI Usage Policy. All final decisions are made by qualified Aecon team members.