Senior Safety Manager

Wendler Inc. is seeking a high-impact Senior Safety Manager to help lead the next evolution of safety across our organization.

This is not a traditional “clipboard and PPE inspection” role.

We are looking for a strategic, forward-thinking safety leader who can quickly assess the current state of our safety culture, identify gaps and opportunities, implement meaningful improvements, and influence employee behavior at every level of the organization. The right individual will bring both field credibility and leadership presence, someone capable of driving accountability, building trust, gaining buy-in from operations, and creating long-term cultural change.

This role will partner closely with Executive Leadership, Project Management, Operations, and field teams to strengthen safety performance across all divisions of the business.

The ideal candidate understands that world-class safety is not built through enforcement alone; it is built through leadership, systems, communication, consistency, and operational alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate the current state of the company’s safety culture, programs, systems, and operational risks
• Develop and implement proactive safety strategies aligned with company growth and operational goals
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce incidents, improve operational consistency, and strengthen employee engagement
• Coach and support operational leaders in strengthening safety ownership and field accountability
• Hold teams accountable to established company standards while maintaining collaborative working relationships
• Partner with leadership to establish measurable safety goals, leading indicators, and performance expectations

• Build trust and credibility with field employees, Superintendents, Project Managers, and Executive Leadership
• Help eliminate complacency through visible leadership and operational engagement

• Lead company-wide safety initiatives across multiple active civil construction projects
• Develop and implement practical safety procedures, standards, and field processes
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, FMCSA, environmental, and applicable state/federal regulations
• Conduct risk assessments and assist operations teams with high-risk planning activities, including but not limited to:

• Excavation & trenching
• Confined space entry
• Heavy equipment operations
• Crane and lifting activities
• Electrical and utility work
• Traffic control and work zone safety

• Lead incident and near-miss investigations utilizing root cause analysis methodologies
• Identify trends, contributing factors, and systemic gaps
• Develop corrective actions focused on prevention, operational improvement, and long-term risk reduction
• Monitor and analyze safety data to drive operational decisions and continuous improvement

• Assist in developing field leadership capabilities related to hazard recognition, communication, and employee engagement
• Support onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing employee development initiatives

• Develop and deliver engaging safety training programs that drive behavioral change and field engagement
• Lead modernization efforts related to safety systems, documentation, reporting, communication, and operational processes
• Assist in the implementation and utilization of technology, tracking systems, and safety analytics
• Maintain recordkeeping, documentation, and regulatory reporting requirements

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive construction safety leadership experience within heavy civil, infrastructure, industrial, utility, or related construction environments
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Construction Management, or related field
• Experience implementing safety software, dashboards, analytics, predictive risk management, or operational improvement systems
• Experience supporting organizational growth and scaling safety operations within a growing contractor environment
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA construction standards and high-risk construction operations
• Demonstrated ability to influence culture, gain employee buy-in, and drive measurable safety improvements
• Professional safety certifications such as CHST, CSP, OHST, CHSO, OSHA 500, or equivalent are strongly preferred. Equivalent operational heavy civil safety leadership experience will also be considered
• Experience with incident investigation, root cause analysis, and safety program development
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to travel between jobsites throughout Iowa and surrounding regions as needed

Physical & Work Environment:

• Frequent travel to active construction sites
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain, construction zones, and jobsite conditions
• Occasional lifting, climbing, and extended walking on project sites
• Combination of field and office work environments

At Wendler Inc., safety is not just a requirement; it’s a core value that protects our people and strengthens the communities we serve. This role offers the opportunity to lead safety strategies for complex civil construction projects while working alongside a collaborative leadership team committed to doing the job the right way. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact on safety performance and culture, we’d like to hear from you.

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