Senior Manager, Environmental Health & Safety, NA

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Position Overview

This position will be on site in our Shackelford Texas location.

The Senior Manager, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) will support the development, implementation, and execution of the Environmental Health, and Safety program for Project Frontier, a large-scale AI Data Center development in Abilene, Texas. Acting as the Owner/Developer's EHS representative, this role will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight for all white space construction activities, including data halls, MEP systems, OFCI equipment installation, testing, and commissioning.

The Senior Manager will partner closely with the EHS Director, General Contractor (GC), OFCI vendors, commissioning teams, and specialty trade partners to ensure consistent EHS expectations, compliance, and accountability while fostering a proactive, incident-free safety culture.The role requires autonomy and oversight of processes including, but not limited to:

• Electrical Safety (Energized Electrical Work, Arc Flash)

• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)

• Occupational Noise Exposure & Control

• Heat Stress & Illness Prevention

• Exposure Assessment (Industrial Hygiene)

• Emergency Response Planning

• Working at Heights

• Confined Space Entry

• Heavy Material Handling

• Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)

• Construction-Related Risks (Cranes/Rigging, Trenching/Shoring, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), etc.)

• Fire/Life Safety

• Hazardous Substances Handling

• Waste Management

• Ergonomics

• Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC)

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation methodology

• Incident management and Investigations

Essential Job Functions

• Provide strategic leadership and ensure adherence to health and safety standards, policies, and practices including but not limited to; safety management systems, training, risk assessments, industrial hygiene, and regulatory compliance.

• Lead and oversee health and safety audits across operational data centers and construction sites to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

• Ensure enterprise-wide compliance with safety programs that exceed regulatory requirements.

• Develop and review comprehensive health and safety plans for emergencies, business continuity, and unique operational events.

• Oversee safety record keeping and ensure data integrity across all sites.

• Analyze safety data trends and present findings to executive leadership to inform strategic decisions.

• Serve as a key advisor to the VDC compliance team, providing expert interpretations and guidance.

• Identify systemic risks and lead cross-functional teams to implement sustainable controls.

• Engage with customers and stakeholders to deliver high-level health and safety guidance.

Duties

• EHS Leadership & Site Oversight

  • Support implementation of the Project Frontier EHS strategy and objectives for white space construction activities.

  • Provide daily field leadership and EHS oversight across white space work areas.

  • Mentor and support project EHS professionals and contractor safety teams.

  • Promote a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement across all project stakeholders.

  White Space Construction & Commissioning

  • Provide EHS oversight for data hall construction, critical electrical and mechanical systems, controls installation, testing, and commissioning activities.

  • Monitor high-risk work activities, including energized work, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), work at heights, rigging and lifting operations, confined space entry, hot work, chemical management, and commissioning/start-up activities.

  • Review work plans, method statements, and commissioning procedures to ensure EHS risks are identified and controlled.

  • Participate in construction planning and sequencing reviews to support safe work execution.

  Compliance & Risk Management

  • Support compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and project-specific EHS requirements.

  • Implement and maintain project EHS procedures, standards, and safe work practices.

  • Lead and facilitate hazard assessments, risk evaluations, Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and pre-task planning reviews.

  • Conduct field audits, inspections, and behavioral observations.

  • Track, monitor, and verify closure of corrective actions.

  Contractor & Vendor Management

  • Serve as a primary EHS interface between the Owner, General Contractor (GC), OFCI vendors, commissioning teams, and trade partners.

  • Review contractor EHS documentation, permits, work plans, and risk assessments.

  • Support onboarding, orientation, and ongoing EHS engagement activities for contractors and vendors.

  • Ensure alignment of EHS expectations across multiple parallel workstreams.

  • Monitor contractor performance and support continuous improvement initiatives.

  Incident Management & Reporting

  • Participate in incident investigations and root cause analyses.

  • Assist with development and tracking of corrective and preventive actions.

  • Track and communicate project EHS performance metrics, trends, and emerging risks.

  • Prepare reports and presentations for project leadership and key stakeholders.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in environmental health & safety, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum 5 years of EHS experience in data center construction, mission-critical facilities, or large-scale industrial construction projects.

• Proven ability to lead beyond compliance, driving cultural change and partnering with stakeholders to implement innovative and effective risk control strategies.

• Demonstrated experience supporting EHS programs during white space construction and commissioning activities.

• Strong understanding of contractor management and construction safety requirements.

• Experience working within complex, fast-paced construction environments.

• Certifications (Nice to Have): CSP (Certified Safety Professional), CHST (Construction Health and Safety Technician), NEBOSH Construction or General Certificate, OSHA 500/510 (preferred), and ISO 45001 Lead Auditor

• Travel required is expected to be up to 5% but may increase over time as the business evolves.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

#LI-SH1

#LI-Onsite

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

We'll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon-we're excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!