Enterprise Director, Safety, Security & Environmental (SSE)

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Why join our team

Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ:MSEX) has been an industry leader since 1897. We promote professional and personal development in a work environment that is supportive and responsive. We understand the importance of our services and the individuals who uphold our reputation.

Joining our team means that you have a multitude of benefits that support you in and out of the workplace such as- full medical dental and vision benefits 401k paid time off tuition assistance learning and development opportunities employee assistance program and more. To learn more please visit

Job Summary:

The Director Safety Security & Environmental (SSE) is responsible for developing leading and continuously improving the enterprise-wide strategies programs and policies that promote a safe secure and environmentally compliant and responsible workplace.

This position provides strategic leadership for occupational safety physical security environmental compliance emergency preparedness and risk management initiatives to protect employees customers assets and the communities we serve.

This role champions a proactive prevention-focused culture that reinforces the Companys commitment to operational excellence regulatory compliance and its mission of Sustaining life with every drop.

The Director partners across operations and support functions to foster a strong culture of safety environmental stewardship and operational resilience while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations industry standards and companys policies. This role promotes accountability and continuous improvement through the Companys guiding principle: Think Safety Act Safely.

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute an integrated enterprise-wide SSE strategy aligned with the MWC 2030 pillars and priorities
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on safety environmental security and regulatory matters
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture reduce operational risk and enhance enterprise resilience
• Develop policies standards and procedures supporting regulatory compliance and operational excellence
• Foster a culture of accountability prevention and continuous improvement across all business units
• Lead SSE audits and inspections and ensure timely resolution of findings
• Ensure lessons learned from incidents and exercises are incorporated into policies and procedures
• Build strong relationships with regulators emergency responders law enforcement industry organizations and other stakeholders

Safety

• Develop and execute the companys enterprise safety strategy policies standards and programs
• Establish a proactive safety culture focused on prevention accountability and continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and all applicable federal state and local safety regulations
• Lead the development implementation and continuous improvement of enterprise safety programs policies procedures and training
• Lead incident investigations root cause analysis activities ensure implementation of corrective actions and lessons learned processes
• Drive proactive hazard identification near-miss reporting and risk mitigation efforts
• Partner with operational leadership to embed safety into daily work practices and decision-making
• Drive behavior-based safety initiatives and continuous learning programs
• Establish and monitor safety goals performance metrics and KPIs.
• Promote employee engagement and ownership of safety at every level of the organization
• Promote a culture where safety is integrated into daily operations and decision making

Environmental

• Lead the companys environmental compliance programs with environmental regulations and reporting requirements including EPA NJDEP DNREC and other applicable agencies
• Support environmental due diligence associated with capital projects acquisitions and other strategic initiatives. Oversee environmental programs related to permitting compliance water quality inspections and environmental stewardship
• Partner with Operations and Engineering to integrate environmental considerations into operational activities and capital projects
• Monitor environmental performance metrics and develop and lead initiatives that support sustainability and continuous improvement

Support environmental risk assessments and mitigation activities

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

• Develop maintain and Oversee physical security programs for facilities assets and critical infrastructure across the enterprise
• Conduct security risk assessments and vulnerability assessments of critical facilities and infrastructure
• Partner closely with IT and cybersecurity leadership on the intersection of physical security operational technology and cybersecurity
• Establish appropriate access control surveillance intrusion detection visitor management and security protocols
• Monitor emerging threats to the water sector and recommend appropriate mitigation measures
• Ensure compliance with applicable utility security standards and regulatory requirements
• Partner with IT Operations and leadership teams on emergency preparedness incident response crisis management and business continuity planning
• Lead emergency response planning and incident management processes
• Coordinate training exercises and preparedness drills
• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Support business continuity and resilience efforts
• Lead response coordination and mitigation efforts related to security risks threats or emergency events

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead and develop SSE teams
• Establish performance objectives and professional development plans
• Manage department budget and resources
• Foster a collaborative and high performing team

Operational Integration

• Integrate SSE standards and expectations into field operations maintenance activities construction and capital projects (CAPEX)
• Ensure consistent application of policies procedures and compliance standards across all locations and operating units
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align SSE priorities with operational and business objectives

Training Communication & Culture

• Develop and implement enterprise SSE training awareness and engagement programs
• Promote a speak-up culture centered on accountability prevention and employee involvement
• Lead communications and enterprise campaigns reinforcing the Think Safety Act Safely philosophy
• Support leadership development and employee engagement initiatives related to SSE performance and culture

Data Reporting & Performance Management

• Establish monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including TRIR DART environmental compliance metrics and security-related metrics
• Utilize trend analysis and data insights to identify risks and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Prepare and present SSE performance updates recommendations and strategic insights to executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in safety Environmental Health Engineering Industrial Hygiene or a related field
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in safety environmental security or industrial operations
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA EPA and applicable state regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated leadership experience building and sustaining high-performance compliance-focused cultures
• Strong communication analytical and cross-functional leadership skills
• Experience leading enterprise-wide safety and environmental programs

Preferred

• CSP (Certified Safety Professional) CHMM or related professional certification
• Experience within the water wastewater utility or other regulated industry environment
• Experience supporting emergency response crisis response business continuity and enterprise risk management initiatives

Success Measures

• Reduction in safety incidents recordable rate and lost time events
• Improvement in leading safety indicators
• Successful implementation of safety security and environmental compliance initiatives
• Employee safety and security engagement
• Completion and effectiveness if emergency exercises
• Improved safety culture and employee engagement scores
• Strong regulatory compliance performance
• Effective emergency preparedness and response capabilities
• Enhanced environmental and sustainability outcomes

Working Conditions:

This is a full-time non-exempt in-office position. Occasional travel to other company sites may be required. Must be able to lift and transport training materials up to 25 pounds as needed.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary Range: $130800 to $196200 annually based on experience and qualifications.
• Total Rewards Package Includes: - Medical dental and vision coverage (effective first of the month after hire).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company paid life and disability insurance.
• Paid time off and 12 paid holidays.
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements:

This position is primarily performed in a professional office setting and requires the ability to perform the essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical and sensory demands include:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and remaining in a stationary position approximately 50% of the time.
• Constant operation of a computer and other office equipment such as printers copiers calculators keyboard mouse and headset.
• Frequent visual inspection and review of both hard copy and online documents.
• Effective and professional communication over the phone in person and through written and audio correspondence.
• Ability to detect discern convey express oneself and exchange information through written verbal and audio communication.
• Consistent ability to listen actively speak clearly and respond in real-time to customer or internal inquiries.
• Occasional movement within the office and use of stairs to access file cabinets and office machinery.
• Occasional lifting or moving of office materials up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks and maintain focus in a structured customer-facing environment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Requires excellent knowledge of the English language and excellent spelling.

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States.

Candidates must be able to pass a drug screen pre-employment physical background check and have a valid drivers license in good standing.

Middlesex Water Company and its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin age disability veteran status genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

You can submit your resume and salary requirements by using the job specific link below or by going to the careers page on our company website.

This job posting complies with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Law effective June 1 2025 which mandates the disclosure of salary ranges benefits and other compensation in job advertisements.

No phone calls please. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however only those applicants who are being considered for the position or are currently employed by Middlesex Water Company will be contacted.