Associate Director – Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)
Ireland | Full-time | Permanent
Location: Munster (Cork or Limerick preferred)
A Career-Defining Leadership Opportunity
An established, high-performing General Building contractor is seeking an exceptional Associate Director of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) to lead its EHS function across Ireland. This is a rare opportunity for a senior EHS professional to shape strategy, elevate culture, and drive transformational improvements within a major organisation delivering complex, large-scale projects.
If you are a proven EHS leader who thrives on influence, operational excellence, and championing a culture where people truly come first, this role offers the platform to make a lasting impact.
The Role
As Associate Director EHS, you will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for setting the strategic direction, governance framework, and performance standards for all EHS activity across the Irish business.
You will lead a dedicated EHS team, ensuring consistent implementation of best-in-class safety systems, regulatory compliance, and proactive risk management across multiple project environments. The role combines high-level strategy with hands‑on leadership — ideal for someone who can inspire, influence, and deliver.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic EHS Leadership
- Develop and implement a high-performing EHS strategy aligned to business growth and long‑term goals.
- Embed a strong, positive, and proactive safety culture across all sites and functions.
- Ensure compliance with Irish/EU legislation and ISO standards (ISO 14001 & ISO 45001).
- Provide senior-level guidance on EHS risks, opportunities, and continuous improvement.
Risk, Assurance & Audit Oversight
- Lead the company-wide EHS audit programme, including internal and external audits.
- Conduct site inspections and ensure rigorous implementation of corrective actions.
- Analyse emerging trends, identify risks, and introduce preventative measures.
- Represent the organisation during client audits, escalations, and governance forums.
Performance Reporting & Organisational Influence
- Prepare and present high-quality monthly reports on incidents, compliance, and EHS performance.
- Manage the EHS budget and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- Drive clear standards, accountability, and transparent performance communication.
Training, Competency & Cultural Development
- Develop EHS training programmes and ensure their delivery across all levels of the organisation.
- Create and maintain a robust training matrix in partnership with HR.
- Mentor and support Project Managers in RAMS preparation and EHS compliance.
- Champion initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, engagement, and workforce competence.
Legislation, Documentation & Best Practice
- Stay ahead of regulatory changes and industry developments, communicating updates proactively.
- Maintain all policies, procedures, and SOPs to the highest standards of clarity and compliance.
- Drive consistency, simplicity, and effectiveness in EHS processes and documentation.
Incident Management
- Lead serious incident investigations, ensuring root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.
- Liaise with insurers, legal advisors, and loss adjustors where required.
- Implement systems for lessons learned, proactive reviews, and prevention strategies.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop the EHS team to deliver excellence across all projects.
- Ensure adequate EHS support and site coverage in line with business needs.
- Foster a collaborative, empowered, high-performance environment.
What You Bring
- 10+ years’ EHS experience within the construction industry.
- Minimum 5 years’ senior EHS leadership experience across multiple sectors.
- Degree/Diploma in EHS, Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent.
- Expert knowledge of EHS legislation, standards, audits, investigations, and critical controls.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills.
- Proven success in building and leading high-performing EHS teams.
- A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with strong organisational capability.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining exceptional standards.
Benefits
- Company vehicle or car allowance
- Bonus scheme
- Company pension
- Private healthcare
- Life assurance
- Enhanced annual leave
- Coverage of professional membership fees
- Employee referral incentives
- Employee recognition programme
- Ongoing training & development
- Company-sponsored social events
Why This Role Stands Out
This is more than an EHS management job — it is a strategic leadership position with autonomy, influence, and the support to deliver meaningful change. You will be shaping the culture, systems, and performance of a major organisation, while leading a team and contributing directly to business success.
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, elevate industry standards, and build something exceptional, we would love to hear from you.
