Responsible for leading the strategic direction, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive workplace safety and health programs across the Bank. This role ensures enterprise-wide workplace compliance with regulatory requirements, embeds a culture of safety and well-being, and integrates safety strategies into operational risk management frameworks. The AVP is accountable for driving proactive workplace risk mitigation, audits, and training initiatives, and serving as advisor to senior leadership on matters of occupational health and safety, while aligning with the Bank's business continuity and ESG objectives.
- Leads Strategic Risk Reduction Initiatives: In addition to ensuring compliance with Occupational Safety and Health regulations, the AVP Safety & Health plays a strategic role in developing organizational workplace policies.
- Champions Organizational Well-being: Drives enterprise-level initiatives that promote employee well-being through a proactive, safe work culture aligned with broader HR and wellness strategies.
- Shapes a Positive Safety Culture: Promotes a culture of safety throughout the organization by collaborating with senior leaders and embedding safety practices into core workplace operational strategies.
- Delivers Operational Cost Efficiencies: Oversees data-driven programs to reduce workplace incidents, optimize safety investment returns, and minimize indirect costs from disruptions and liabilities.
- Incident Investigation and Reporting: Lead investigations into accidents, near misses, and unsafe working conditions, and prepare detailed reports with recommendations for corrective actions.
- Engage with Regulatory and Industry Bodies: Serve as the point of contact for occupational safety and health inspections, ensuring regulatory guidelines are met.
- Lead the Development and Governance of Safety Programs: Oversee and provide strategic direction for the creation, execution, and review of enterprise safety policies, procedures, and systems that ensure long-term compliance and risk mitigation.
- Lead Safety Training & Development Strategy: Design and implement organization-wide learning frameworks, including executive-level briefings and specialized safety capability development programs.
- Direct Safety Audits and Inspections: Provide oversight for the enterprise-wide safety audit schedule, validate findings, and present strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- Emergency Preparedness Leadership: Direct the development and implementation of robust workplace emergency response strategies, ensuring integration with business continuity plans.
- Institutionalize Safety Culture: Spearhead strategic initiatives and campaigns to embed safety values into the corporate culture, aligning with ESG and sustainability goals.
- Steer Safety Data Analytics & Reporting: Lead analysis of key safety indicators, and use insights to inform board-level decisions and continuous improvement strategies.
Skills
- Strong leadership and influencing skills to drive workplace safety culture and initiatives across departments.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively communicate with senior management, regulatory bodies, and employees at all levels.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities to identify and address complex safety and health challenges at an organizational level.
- Proven ability to develop and implement safety and health programs and policies that align with business objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Knowledge
- Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of relevant safety and health legislation, regulations, and best practices (including DOSH and local authorities).
- Strong understanding of risk management principles and methodologies, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures.
- Knowledge of relevant industry standards and certifications (e.g., ISO 45001).
- Solid understanding of financial and budgetary management related to safety and health programs.
- Familiarity with safety management systems (SMS) and their implementation.
- Understanding of business continuity and emergency response planning from a safety and health perspective.
Experience
- Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, Environmental Health, Engineering, or a related field is highly preferred.
- Advanced certifications or qualifications in safety and health management (beyond the basic SHO registration) would be an advantage.
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressive experience in safety and health roles, with a significant portion in a leadership or management capacity, demonstrating increasing responsibility and strategic impact.
- Proven track record of successfully developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive safety and health programs across an organization or significant business unit.
- Experience in interacting with regulatory authorities and managing compliance audits.
- Experience in managing and mentoring safety and health teams.
