Vice President, Environmental Health and Safety

Vice President, EHS

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Vice President, Environmental Health & Safety (VPEHS) is a member of the Executive Leadership team and a strategic leader for Southern Research. The VPEHS will contribute to the overall growth and stability of the organization by ensuring safe, environmentally sound and regulatorily compliant programs and processes throughout all facets of Southern Research operations. The VPEHS is responsible for implementing and maintaining the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) programs for a diverse organization including FDA regulated pre-clinical drug development; applied research involving select agents, basic research programs in drug discovery, environmental and engineering testing environments. This position will be responsible for driving the development, deployment and continuous improvement of environmental, health and safety management processes/systems across the organization by driving the safety culture, implementing best practices, utilizing appropriate metrics to continuously monitor progress. The VPEHS is responsible for leadership of the Environmental Health & Safety and Biosafety group. Integral to the responsibilities of this role is ensuring collaboration with all functions including coordination with CRO Services, Scientific Platforms, Finance and Business Development.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide all day-to-day leadership for the safety function supporting Southern Research operations, including Tier 1 Select Agent Program and A/BSL-3 Facility.


• Manage the EHS department personnel and budget including hiring, performance management, and employee development.


• Establish and maintain training for all Southern Research staff on a wide range of safety topics including hazards and handling of chemicals, drugs, Tier 1 agents, etc., safe work practices, first aid, emergency response and business continuity, regulatory compliance, and other topics.


• Lead an audit program aimed at ensuring all facilities maintain compliance with corporate and regulatory authority policy.


• Ensure all safety incidents (personal injuries, accidents, environmental releases, and property damage) and serious near misses are reported and investigated including root cause determination and establishment of appropriate corrective actions.


• Builds and maintains a safety culture to ensure workplace health and compliance.


• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to create engagement and buy-in to safety programs.


• Fosters an environment where staff are engaged and encouraged to take a personal responsibility for one another's safety.


• Educates internal teams about the various safety programs including the requirements and deadlines to create cooperation and ensure compliance.


• Maintains open, honest, and professional communication to foster a culture of trust between the EHS group and all levels of the company.


• Collaborates with supervisors or managers to develop reasonable accommodations that may be needed for working in laboratory environments.


• Champion activities designed to empower associates to take ownership of and lead safety efforts in their role (i.e. Safety Contact, Good Catch).


• Instills understanding/need for participation in all safety practices.


• Ensures compliance with requirements of the Select Agent Program as stated in 42 CFR Part 73 (HHS-CDC), 9 CFR Part 121; 7 CFR Part 331 (USDA-APHIS).


• Develops and implements an enterprise-wide risk management program.


• Provides oversight for the Environmental, Biological and Chemical Safety, Radiation Monitoring, Industrial Hygiene, and Ergonomic Programs.


• Recommends and implements measures to reduce or eliminate accidents and health hazards in compliance with all applicable regulations. Communicates progress metrics regarding same.


• Serves on a variety of internal committees that guide safety and biological safety practices.


• Serves as a primary contact for regulatory inspections.


• Responsible for establishing and maintaining the Incidents and Emergencies Response plan(s).


• Serves as the Incident Commander for safety or environmental incidents and emergencies.


• Serves as member of the Crisis Team.


• Plans and conducts emergency exercises. Uses results of exercises to correct discovered deficiencies, upgrade plans and improve employee training.


• Provides technical and regulatory compliance expertise and support.


• Maintains awareness of and communicates OSHA, Environmental and IATA/DOT, TSCA, Import/Export requirements to all levels of management.


• Develops and implements policies and processes that govern environmental, health, and safety issues.


• Administers the Institute's Exposure Control Plan.


• Consults with all departments on design and use of equipment, laboratories, workspaces, and fire prevention program.


• Writes and maintains written EHS plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).


• Prepares and delivers trainings, updates and other presentations to a variety of audiences including executive leadership, customers and board members.


• Stays abreast of changes, internal and external, which impact the operation of the organization and proposes changes in practices and procedures to deliver the highest quality service.


• Implements HR processes and other administrative responsibilities associated with the direct supervision of professional and technical resources of the Safety Group. Ensures each staff member has annual objectives established, that performance coaching is provided throughout the year with year-end assessments complete.


• Ensures each EHS staff member is properly trained and has EHS relevant career development opportunities.


• Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the COO.

Requirements/Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering field with 10 years of experience implementing Environmental and Safety programs; Bachelor's or Master's degree relevant scientific or engineering field with 15 years implementing Environmental and Safety programs.


• Minimum of 10 years of experience working in high biological containment environments.


• Demonstrated ability to drive organization-wide Safety Culture change.


• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and applicable ANSI standards.


• Knowledge of air monitoring techniques, ventilation techniques.


• Knowledge of Hazardous Waste Material Management.


• Knowledge of regulation concerning Air permits including Incinerators.


• Experience administering Radiation Safety and Industrial Hygiene Programs.


• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.


• Knowledge of use of PPE and safety protocols related to the possible exposure to dust, radiation, chemicals, biological products, fumes, vapors or mists that could potentially affect the employees.


• Must be capable of working with individuals at all levels within and outside of the Institute.


• Must be willing and able to be on call 24x7 via phone and able to work on weekends and/or holidays as necessary to meet work objectives.


• Demonstrated ability to utilize a variety of computer programs including MS Office Suite, Access or other database tools.


• This position may require periodic travel for training or conferences.


• Working knowledge of DOT/IATA, TSCA requirements for a Biotech involved with Research and Development.


• Familiar with Permit and Export/Import requirements for a Biotech.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Safety Management, and/or Risk Management certifications.


• Knowledge of high containment laboratory/animal facility operations and select agent regulations.


• Trained or must be capable of being trained in HAZWOPER, First Aid/CPR, Bloodborne Pathogen, and Hazard Communication. Knowledge of protective equipment use and safety protocols related to handling hazardous materials.


• As part of a multi-disciplinary team, the VPEHS should possess the ability to: manage multiple tasks simultaneously, have strong organization skills, be comfortable and competent in vendor negotiating, be detail oriented, have the ability to present topics to the leadership team, and provide constant, thorough and professional communication throughout all levels of the organization.

Core Values

Cultivating human connection – putting people first. We know that every individual makes a difference and that no one can do it alone. We believe the world's most powerful resource is human potential. We are an inclusive and courageous team where innovation and diversity of though go hand in hand. We understand that relationships move at the speed of trust.

Operating with precise execution – measuring what matters and owning results as a team. We leverage data to drive decisions that advance science. We recognize the importance of a stable foundation coupled with an agile mindset. We hold ourselves accountable and take pride in our work. We give and receive candid feedback as a gift that keeps us growing.

Harnessing relentless curiosity – our unstoppable, innovative force. We are driven to ask sharp questions and push the boundaries of knowledge. We use creativity and critical thinking as catalysts for finding solutions that change lives. We learn by doing, consistently striving to improve our relationships, training, methodologies, questions and results.

Stewarding a healthy community – implementing sustainable operations for a safe, engaging environment. We don't compromise on safety and health for our employees, customers or community. We believe a healthy community begins with inclusive economic opportunities. We respect the dignity of the patients we ultimately serve. We are motivated to serve communities that are underserved and markets that are overlooked.

Job Specific Behaviors

• Strategic Decision Making – Obtains information and identifies key issues relevant to achieving a long-range goal; commits to a course of action after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, facts, constraints and resources.


• Operational / Technical Excellence - Ensures that work product (whether service or process) enables the organization to deliver on customer's expectations.


• Builds Strategic Relationships - Uses appropriate interpersonal styles to work effectively with others to meet mutual goals and objectives; understands the role & interrelationships of each organizational function. Possess skill in managing across functional and organizational lines.


• Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience.


• Drives for Results - Establishes stretch goals and manages to focus outcomes. Demands excellence. Demonstrates a strong commitment to organizational success; works to do what is best for all stakeholders.


• Builds and Maintains Winning Teamwork - Creates a climate of teamwork to achieve objectives, taking advantage of our diversity; creates a sense of ownership and encourages individuals to stretch beyond their own capabilities.


• Coaches / Develops Others - Selects for talent. Sets expectations and provides clear and timely feedback. Motivates, develops self and others to foster a learning environment and openly shares information that would guide others. Uses appropriate interpersonal style to guide direct reports to action. Selects for talent, sets expectations, provides clear feedback, motivates, develops self and others; fosters a learning environment; recognizes performance success.


• Business Knowledge - Maintains external awareness of technology or business sectors; supplies knowledge of Institute's culture, business processes and tools to achieve goals.

Physical Demands

• This position will work in office and a laboratory setting.


• Ability to wear appropriate PPE when entering the laboratory, including respirators.


• Use of a computer for extended periods of time may be necessary.


• In emergency, ability to be on-site in hazardous conditions.