Director Safety

Date: Sep 4, 2025

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77034

Company: CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Summary:

Provides leadership for safety managers and professionals in developing effective safety programs, policies, safety culture and accident prevention tools. Directs the development, delivery and implementation of all activities, initiatives, and governance for the safety department for CenterPoint Energy. Identifies, evaluates and recommends initiatives, programs and processes that will help eliminate or reduce hazards to ensure a safe work place in compliance with applicable regulations and laws issued by state and federal agencies.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

- Leads and directs all aspects of Centerpoint Energy’s Enterprise Safety and Heatlh Program.

- Ensures that the Safety and Occupational Health Program conforms to business unit and corporate requirements, as well as meets all applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.

- Aligns departmental goals with business unit and corporate goals.

- Provide guidance on all business related matters and oversight for business decisions.

- Develops long and short term business strategies to include goals and staffing needs. Utilize the company’s long range plans coupled with information on industry and safety regulations and laws to develop strategies.

- Provides guidance, direction and developmental opportunities that allow high-potential staff to be identified and appropriately developed.

- Provides guidance to managers on reporting needs and requirements. Reviews periodic reports on activities, status, productivity, budget and all significant business issues. Determines if corrective action is needed and directs changes as needed.

- Develops annual departmental budget and monitors budget activity for operating cost efficiencies, and makes operating adjustments as required. Maintains an understanding of budget variance implications.

- Maintains current knowledge of corporate and departmental policies and procedures.

- Provides direction for the development and implementation of technical policy and ensures it is uniformly practiced among the workforce.

- Provides guidance for the accumulation of statistics; development of reports; and the distribution to management for trend analysis, progress on goals, and to safety regulations and laws issued by federal and state agencies.

- Maintains knowledge of client needs and ensures the appropriate level of service is provided by safety functions.

- Oversees medical case management, medical surveillance, DOT driver compliance, fleet safety, and drug and alcohol testing programs.

- Supports employee return to work process in collaboration with Human Resources.

- Serves as subject matter expert in support of emergency operations plan and business continuity plan including response to pandemics and other events with potential to impact the workforce and disrupt business.

- Supports the contractor safety program for the business with responsibility for written program and evaluation of compliance by potential and currect contractors with federal and state safety regulations.

Education:

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety or related technical field (e.g. Safety Industrial Relations, Industrial Engineering (Safety), Science, Business or Behavioral Sciences) from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

Requires a minimum ten (10) years of experience in the areas of safety and organizational development and requires a minimum five (5) years of management experience in safety or related operations activities. Experience in the areas of designing, implementing and/or managing an effective safety program for electric/gas utility, oil/gas, heavy industrial or energy field is required.

Requires a minimum five (5) years of experience managing a multi-location organization. Experience managing a sizeable staff of professionals in different geographical locations a plus.

Requires a minimum seven (7) years of experience managing personnel.

Certified Safety Professional (CSP) from the BCSP is a plus.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, Licenses/Certifications, Abilities & Personal Characteristics (KSLAPs):

- Has a clear vision and understanding of what is required to lead an organization to Safety Excellence.

- Fully informed of contemporary approaches to developing and sustaining a work culture incorporates safety as a value.

- Knowledgeable and experienced with contemporary approaches to training delivery to a multi-generational workforce – utilizing technology, subject matter expertise, and employee participation methodologies.

- Experience performing work group assessments and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

- Able to work as a self-starter with an ability to work effectively with little day-to-day direction/supervision.

- Experience in the development, implementation, and coordination and facilitation of OSHA's Process Safety Management program (29 CFR 1910.119).

- Experience developing written elements and coordinating auditing aspects of 29 CFR 1910.119.

- Able to interact with all levels of leadership and employees, maintaining a positive and professional working relationship.

- Able to be customer focused and to establish and sustain effective customer relationships.

- Able to demonstrate strong personal effectiveness skills, including integrity and trust, problem-solving, decision-making, organizational effectiveness and results orientation.

- Able to identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity.

- Able to manage multiple projects, activities and deadlines effectively; handle competing priorities skillfully and utilize a proactive approach in obtaining data to clarify issues and solve problems through fact-based decision making.

- Able to demonstrate and utilize effective oral and written communication skills appropriate to the audience.

- Able to operate effectively in a team environment.

- Able to demonstrate strong organizational management skills including the ability to coach and develop employees and instill customer and quality focus throughout the organization.

- Able to influence safety performance in a line management organization.

- Strong personal computer software proficiency requiring a variety of applications: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, learning management systems, e-learning, web-based portals and applications and electronic mail.

- Able to demonstrate commitment to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the Company’s Ethics and Compliance Code of Conduct, and other Company policies and procedures and do so consistently, take all required training courses and do so timely

- Able to demonstrate respect for all individuals, adhere to the Company’s values and business practices and do both consistently

Physical Requirements:

- Able to bend, stoop, squat and/or kneel and must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.

- Able to lift up to 20 pounds repetitively, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

- Able to demonstrate and apply the manual dexterity to operate a computer, office equipment, training equipment and training devices.

- Able to view a personal computer monitor or laptop screen, sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.

- Able to operate a motor vehicle, enter and exit vehicle without assistance, and drive for multiple hours a day.

- Able to verbally exchange information with customers and company personnel.

Working Conditions:

- Able to work in shop, office and field environments, including ability to tolerate exposure to all weather conditions, and if necessary, at night.

- Able to work around potentially hazardous conditions such as moving machinery, energized equipment, flammable solvents, hazardous wastes, heat, dirty and/or greasy equipment and noise.

- Able to wear personal protection safety equipment, such as respirator, safety glasses, hard hat, gloves, protective footwear and ear plugs, on an occasional basis.

- Able to work in fast-paced environment with a high-volume workload and frequent, short deadlines that may require more than a 40-hour work week to meet established deadlines, including working nights and/or weekends as required.

- Able to travel outside of primary work area, in any weather conditions and occasionally overnight, to field locations, remote areas, conferences and/or meetings from 20% up to 50% of the time.

- Required to remain in the service area during emergency events and assume responsibilities assigned by the company to aide in restoration efforts.

- May be required to remain in the service area during emergency events and assume responsibilities assigned by the company to aide in restoration efforts

We want you to know

Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together.

What we bring to you

- Competitive pay

- Paid training

- Benefits eligibility begins on your first day

- Transit subsidies

- Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off

- Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston

- Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement

- 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Start Date: 09/04/2025

Posting End Date: 09/19/2025

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

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Nearest Major Market: Houston