Director, Safety
The AES Corporation, Dayton, OH, United States
Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), a
Fortune 500 company
that's leading the charge in the global energy revolution. With operations spanning
14 countries , AES is committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Our dedication to innovation has earned us recognition as one of the
Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators
by Fast Company in 2022. And with our certification as a
Great Place to Work , you can be confident that you're joining a company that values its people just as much as its groundbreaking ideas.
AES is proudly ranked #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, and with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, we have the resources and expertise to make a significant impact as we provide electricity to
25 million customers worldwide . As the world moves towards a net‑zero future, AES is committed to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals by 2050. Our innovative solutions, such as
24/7 carbon‑free energy for data centers , are setting the pace for rapid, global decarbonization.
Location & Travel Location: Indianapolis, IN and/or Dayton, OH with regular travel to operational sites across Indiana and Ohio. Hybrid/on‑site presence expected based on business needs. Travel will involve exposure to industrial environments and field conditions; appropriate PPE and adherence to site requirements are expected.
Reporting Structure Reports to: Chief Operating Officer, US Utilities.
Scope Scope: Two regulated electric utilities with diverse operational risk profiles. Coverage includes: power generation facilities and associated operational sites; T&D field operations (line work, substations, vegetation, construction); fleet, warehouses, service centers, storm response operations; contractor and vendor workforces supporting O&M and capital delivery. All safety oversight for construction across both utilities, including growth projects (ongoing and new generation as applicable, interconnections, substations, large load enablement, major reliability upgrades), programmatic programs (smart grid, system hardening, reconductoring, substation upgrades, fleet/facilities projects), major contractor mobilizations, EPC/GC‑led work, and multi‑site execution.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a “safety‑first” culture across Generation, T&D, and Construction, reinforcing visible field leadership and consistent expectations. Coach operational and project leaders on safety leadership behaviors, accountability, and decision‑making under risk.
Establish and sustain effective engagement routines: site visits, safety stand‑downs, leadership briefings, and field verification of critical controls.
Own and drive serious injury/fatality prevention strategy and execution, including critical risk control verification. Ensure high‑risk work is planned and executed with effective controls (energized work and switching, confined space, working at heights, lifting/rigging, excavation, traffic control, contractor work). Strengthen permit‑to‑work and work authorization processes where applicable.
Implement and continuously improve the safety management system locally in alignment with enterprise standards and the EHS CoE.
Lead audit/assessment programs, management reviews, and corrective action governance with strong follow‑through and transparency. Establish data‑driven performance management (dashboards, trend analysis, leading/lagging indicator reviews).
Ensure timely reporting, classification, investigation, and close‑out of incidents and near‑misses.
Lead/oversee investigations for serious events using established methodologies; ensure high‑quality root cause analysis and actionable corrective actions.
Translate lessons learned into updated procedures, training, and field communications across both utilities and the construction portfolio.
Own and lead health & safety governance for all construction and capital delivery work across AES Indiana and AES Ohio, including growth and programmatic portfolios.
Build and enforce contractor health & safety requirements, including onboarding, qualification, field oversight, and performance management.
Ensure health & safety training, competency frameworks, and qualification processes are in place for employees and contractors.
Serve as the primary health & safety interface with regulators (OSHA, state agencies), including inspections, inquiries, and corrective action plans.
Participate in industry and peer utility forums as appropriate. Lead, develop, and align the safety organization across both utilities.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in safety, engineering, industrial hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred). 10+ years progressive safety leadership experience in utilities, power generation, T&D, heavy industrial, or similar high‑risk operations, including multi‑site accountability.
Demonstrated success improving serious incident prevention and operational safety performance.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulatory frameworks; experience managing audits and regulatory interactions.
Experience leading incident investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross‑functional change at scale.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional certification(s): CSP, CIH, CHMM, CPEA, or equivalent.
Experience in regulated utility environments and union/contractor‑heavy workforces.
Experience deploying safety management systems and digital EHS tools (incident management, audits, action tracking, analytics).
Leadership Competencies
Visible, field‑oriented safety leadership; high accountability with strong empathy.
Clear, concise communicator across frontline to executive levels.
Strong judgment under pressure; disciplined decision‑making.
Systems thinking, continuous improvement mindset, and operational rigor.
Ability to lead through influence and build alignment across diverse stakeholders.
High integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to safety.
Willingness & ability to travel regularly to operational sites and construction locations across Indiana and Ohio; occasional off‑hours availability for incident response and storm/ restoration events.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Fortune 500 company
that's leading the charge in the global energy revolution. With operations spanning
14 countries , AES is committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Our dedication to innovation has earned us recognition as one of the
Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators
by Fast Company in 2022. And with our certification as a
Great Place to Work , you can be confident that you're joining a company that values its people just as much as its groundbreaking ideas.
AES is proudly ranked #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, and with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, we have the resources and expertise to make a significant impact as we provide electricity to
25 million customers worldwide . As the world moves towards a net‑zero future, AES is committed to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals by 2050. Our innovative solutions, such as
24/7 carbon‑free energy for data centers , are setting the pace for rapid, global decarbonization.
Location & Travel Location: Indianapolis, IN and/or Dayton, OH with regular travel to operational sites across Indiana and Ohio. Hybrid/on‑site presence expected based on business needs. Travel will involve exposure to industrial environments and field conditions; appropriate PPE and adherence to site requirements are expected.
Reporting Structure Reports to: Chief Operating Officer, US Utilities.
Scope Scope: Two regulated electric utilities with diverse operational risk profiles. Coverage includes: power generation facilities and associated operational sites; T&D field operations (line work, substations, vegetation, construction); fleet, warehouses, service centers, storm response operations; contractor and vendor workforces supporting O&M and capital delivery. All safety oversight for construction across both utilities, including growth projects (ongoing and new generation as applicable, interconnections, substations, large load enablement, major reliability upgrades), programmatic programs (smart grid, system hardening, reconductoring, substation upgrades, fleet/facilities projects), major contractor mobilizations, EPC/GC‑led work, and multi‑site execution.
Key Responsibilities
Lead a “safety‑first” culture across Generation, T&D, and Construction, reinforcing visible field leadership and consistent expectations. Coach operational and project leaders on safety leadership behaviors, accountability, and decision‑making under risk.
Establish and sustain effective engagement routines: site visits, safety stand‑downs, leadership briefings, and field verification of critical controls.
Own and drive serious injury/fatality prevention strategy and execution, including critical risk control verification. Ensure high‑risk work is planned and executed with effective controls (energized work and switching, confined space, working at heights, lifting/rigging, excavation, traffic control, contractor work). Strengthen permit‑to‑work and work authorization processes where applicable.
Implement and continuously improve the safety management system locally in alignment with enterprise standards and the EHS CoE.
Lead audit/assessment programs, management reviews, and corrective action governance with strong follow‑through and transparency. Establish data‑driven performance management (dashboards, trend analysis, leading/lagging indicator reviews).
Ensure timely reporting, classification, investigation, and close‑out of incidents and near‑misses.
Lead/oversee investigations for serious events using established methodologies; ensure high‑quality root cause analysis and actionable corrective actions.
Translate lessons learned into updated procedures, training, and field communications across both utilities and the construction portfolio.
Own and lead health & safety governance for all construction and capital delivery work across AES Indiana and AES Ohio, including growth and programmatic portfolios.
Build and enforce contractor health & safety requirements, including onboarding, qualification, field oversight, and performance management.
Ensure health & safety training, competency frameworks, and qualification processes are in place for employees and contractors.
Serve as the primary health & safety interface with regulators (OSHA, state agencies), including inspections, inquiries, and corrective action plans.
Participate in industry and peer utility forums as appropriate. Lead, develop, and align the safety organization across both utilities.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in safety, engineering, industrial hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred). 10+ years progressive safety leadership experience in utilities, power generation, T&D, heavy industrial, or similar high‑risk operations, including multi‑site accountability.
Demonstrated success improving serious incident prevention and operational safety performance.
Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulatory frameworks; experience managing audits and regulatory interactions.
Experience leading incident investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross‑functional change at scale.
Preferred Qualifications
Professional certification(s): CSP, CIH, CHMM, CPEA, or equivalent.
Experience in regulated utility environments and union/contractor‑heavy workforces.
Experience deploying safety management systems and digital EHS tools (incident management, audits, action tracking, analytics).
Leadership Competencies
Visible, field‑oriented safety leadership; high accountability with strong empathy.
Clear, concise communicator across frontline to executive levels.
Strong judgment under pressure; disciplined decision‑making.
Systems thinking, continuous improvement mindset, and operational rigor.
Ability to lead through influence and build alignment across diverse stakeholders.
High integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to safety.
Willingness & ability to travel regularly to operational sites and construction locations across Indiana and Ohio; occasional off‑hours availability for incident response and storm/ restoration events.
#J-18808-Ljbffr