The Company
Founded in 1978, CD&R is a leading private investment firm with a strategy of generating strong investment returns by building more robust and sustainable businesses through the combination of skilled investment experience and deep operating capabilities. In partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, CD&R takes a long-term view of value creation and emphasizes positive stewardship and impact. The firm invests in businesses that span a broad range of industries, including industrial, healthcare, consumer, technology and financial services end markets.
CD&R is privately owned by its partners and has over 300 team members today with offices in New York and London. CD&R’s teams combine deep product and sector experience with broad capabilities and expertise to develop differentiated insights and add value for fund investors, portfolio companies, management teams, and communities. CD&R’s global reach, investment expertise, and operational improvement capabilities have led to one of the most successful and admired track records in private equity.
Since inception, CD&R has managed the investment of more than $35 billion in 100 companies with an aggregate transaction value of more than $150 billion. The firm currently has an active portfolio of 46 companies with around $60 billion in assets under management.
The Role
The CD&R Operations team is growing and is seeking to add a Vice President of Safety to develop and implement best practices that support portfolio companies in ensuring compliance and enhancing safety measures, preserving the health, safety, and well-being of employees and stakeholders. The Vice President will develop programs, trainings, and tools/templates for use by portfolio companies and work hands-on with portfolio company leadership to drive improvements in safety programs. The role will report to the Head of Environmental Stewardship and may be based remotely near a major airport in Central or Eastern time zones.
Experience & Requirements
• Minimum of 15 years of environment, health & safety (EHS) experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity focusing on operational excellence and safety culture transformation.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, safety, industrial hygiene, or equivalent.
• Proven track record in leading EHS initiatives across multiple sites or within a global/multi-national environment.
• Strong proficiency in data-driven decision-making, leveraging safety metrics for continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage ambiguity. Thrives in a collaborative, dynamic, team environment with aggressive deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal and presentation skills; comfortable and credible with both internal stakeholders and external audiences.
• A flexible, dynamic, self-demanding and proactive individual; able to motivate him/herself and others; a natural bias for action.
• Relevant certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or equivalent.
• Deep understanding of operating management systems and continuous improvement methodologies, with the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of Lean, Continuous Improvement, World Class Manufacturing (WCM), and other operational excellence frameworks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory requirements, industry trends, and best practices in EHS.
• Proven ability to influence and work effectively across various levels of an organization, even without direct authority.
• Acute business acumen and a solid understanding of organizational issues, challenges, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience with large-scale organizational change efforts and safety program transformations.
• Audit experience or qualifications in compliance and risk assessment frameworks.
• Familiarity with EHS digital tools and technologies for safety management, risk assessment, and compliance.
• Experience in crisis management, emergency response, and business continuity planning.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including interaction with senior leadership, regulatory bodies, and external partners.
