Senior Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Manager

Option Excavating Inc. is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Manager to lead and advance our company-wide HSE programs across Alberta and Western Canada. As a recognized leader in heavy civil construction, earthworks, oilfield infrastructure, lease pads, pipelines, facilities, utilities, and industrial construction, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.

Reporting directly to senior leadership, the Senior HSE Manager will provide strategic direction, leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of our HSE management systems. This role will be responsible for fostering a strong safety culture throughout the organization, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting operational teams, and building lasting relationships with clients, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be a progressive safety leader with extensive experience in heavy civil and energy construction environments, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for developing people and systems that drive world‑class safety performance.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package

• Company vehicle allowance (if applicable)

• Comprehensive extended health and dental benefits

• Employer‑matching RRSP program

• Professional development and continuing education opportunities

• Career growth with an established and growing Western Canadian contractor

• A positive, team‑oriented culture where safety is a core value

• Opportunity to influence and shape the company's long‑term HSE strategy

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide corporate leadership and strategic direction for all Health, Safety, and Environmental programs across the organization.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve HSE management systems and initiatives.

• Champion a proactive safety culture that promotes employee engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Serve as the primary HSE advisor to executive leadership, operational managers, and project teams.

• Establish annual HSE goals, performance measures, and improvement plans.

Operational Support

• Conduct regular field visits throughout Alberta and Western Canada to support project teams and ensure compliance.

• Mentor, coach, and develop supervisors, managers, and field personnel on HSE best practices.

• Lead and facilitate site safety meetings, leadership engagements, and safety forums.

• Collaborate with project management teams during planning and execution phases to identify and mitigate project risks.

• Support project start‑ups, hazard assessments, safe work planning, and risk management processes.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with provincial, federal, client, and industry HSE regulations and requirements.

• Maintain COR certification and support ongoing audit readiness.

• Oversee internal and external audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.

• Manage contractor and subcontractor HSE prequalification processes.

• Monitor legislative changes and emerging industry best practices.

Incident Management & Performance Improvement

• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.

• Manage WCB claims, injury management, return‑to‑work programs, and modified duty processes.

• Analyze HSE performance metrics, trends, leading indicators, and lagging indicators.

• Develop comprehensive reports and presentations for executive leadership and clients.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce risks and improve overall safety performance.

Client & Industry Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, industry stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.

• Participate in client audits, safety reviews, and project planning meetings.

• Support business development efforts by contributing to client prequalification submissions and proposal requirements.

• Represent the company as a professional ambassador of our HSE culture and values.

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive HSE leadership experience within heavy civil construction, pipeline construction, oil and gas infrastructure, facilities, industrial construction, or related industries.

• Minimum 3 years in a management or senior leadership role.

• Post‑secondary education in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management, or related discipline.

• Thorough knowledge of Alberta OHS legislation and applicable provincial and federal regulations.

• Proven experience developing and implementing HSE management systems.

• Experience managing COR programs, audits, regulatory compliance, and client specific safety requirements.

• Strong understanding of hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation, and environmental management practices.

• Experience managing WCB claims and return to work programs.

• Ability to travel regularly throughout Alberta and Western Canada.

• Valid Class 5 drivers license with a clean driver's abstract.

• Ability to pass client required drug and alcohol testing requirements.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including:

• Microsoft Excel

• Microsoft Word

• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Microsoft Outlook

• Microsoft Teams

• SharePoint

• Proficiency with HSE management software and platforms, including:

• SiteDocs

• ISNetworld (ISN)

• Avetta

• ComplyWorks

• Adobe Acrobat

• Google Workspace

• HRIS and document management systems

Decision Making

Accountability and Integrity

Organization and Time Management

Adaptability and Flexibility

Safety Leadership Expectations

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership

• Safety Leadership and Culture Development

• Regulatory Compliance

• Risk Management

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Business Acumen

• Communication and Presentation Skills

• Relationship Building

• Mentorship and Coaching

• Change Management

• Decision Making

• Accountability and Integrity

• Organization and Time Management

• Adaptability and Flexibility

• Safety Leadership Expectations

• The Senior HSE Manager is expected to lead by example and demonstrate a visible

commitment to safety excellence by: Promoting and reinforcing the company's safety culture at all levels. Maintaining current knowledge of industry regulations, standards, and best practices. Ensuring all employees and subcontractors receive appropriate training and competency development. Taking immediate action to address safety or environmental concerns. Leading all major incident investigations and corrective action programs. Supporting operational excellence while maintaining uncompromising safety standards. Driving environmental responsibility and sustainable work practices across all projects.

Option Excavating is an Equal Opportunity Employer At Option Excavating Inc., we believe our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace where every employee has the opportunity to succeed. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process.