VP, Environmental Health & Safety

UnitedHealth Group is a health care and well-being company that’s dedicated to improving the health outcomes of millions around the world. We are comprised of two distinct and complementary businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, working to build a better health system for all. Here, your contributions matter as they will help transform health care for years to come. Make an impact with a diverse team that shares your passion for helping others. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Reporting to the Senior VP Enterprise Environmental, Occupational Health and Safety, the Domestic EOHS Operations leader establishes and leads the environmental, occupational health and safety strategy and operational improvement plan for UHG’S domestic operations. This position is responsible for leading the design, development and collaborative implementation of domestic environmental health and safety policies and programs in accordance with domestic U.S. regulatory requirements. This position oversees and manages the domestic EOHS operations team, which sets organizational policy and provides professional services, consultation and support to domestic operations. This position supports UHG’s efforts to protect our workforce and the environments in which they work and works collaboratively across regions and businesses to achieve compliance and optimal EOHS performance.

Primary Responsibilities:

Lead and direct domestic environmental, occupational health and safety (EOHS) related activities for UHG. Support organizational compliance with domestic rules and regulations governed by the Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), other U.S. federal, state and local EOHS regulations.

• Develop the Domestic EOHS Operations vision, management model, organizational structure and strategy to enable compliance and optimal EOHS performance across all domestic business segments
• Obtain and allocate appropriate enterprise EOHS personnel, tools and resources to support business compliance requirements, priorities and goals
• Provide effective leadership and development to the Domestic EOHS Operations team
• Build cross-functional relationships with key internal departments such as Legal & Regulatory Compliance, Risk Financing & Insurance, Real Estate, Human Capital, Corporate Security, Enterprise Sourcing & Procurement, Medical Affairs – Quality and Patient Safety, etc. and external vendors and agencies to foster support for continual safety improvement.
• Coordinate and collaborate with senior leaders to create, inspire and actively promote a quality and safety culture focused on continuous improvement across the organization and in alignment with organizational culture and values
• Support development and implementation of the enterprise EOHS policy and management system (ISO-like)
• Lead development and maintenance of domestic EOHS knowledge management content (i.e., programs, risk minimum standards, job hazard training, guidelines, tools, templates, standard operating procedures) in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Through partnership with EOHS Risk and Regulatory Monitor to ensure domestic EOHS knowledge management content reflects ongoing legislative changes and best practices.  
• Provide EOHS subject matter expertise, consultation and information to support enterprise EOHS efforts. Work collaboratively with all levels of management on EOHS related issues as they impact other company functions.
• Implement and oversee a best-in-class workers’ compensation (WC) claims management strategy in accordance with state rules and regulations. Aggressively manage third party claims administrator to ensure optimal outcomes. Develop related policies, procedures and audit protocols of vendor performance to service level agreement. Oversee monitoring of changing state WC laws; align company policy and ensure ongoing compliance.  Implement and oversee strategy to support legacy worker’s compensation programs for newly integrated acquired entities.
• Support establishment of EOHS key performance indicators (KPIs).  Monitor, evaluate and aggregate reporting of KPIs including injury/illness rates. Support development of executive level aggregate reporting which demonstrates UHG’s overall employee health and safety.  Develop and implement strategies to reduce incident rates and reduce/mitigate risk. Accountable to ensure appropriate and timely domestic regulatory reporting (i.e., OSHA 300 logs)
• Continually monitor developments, trends, legislation and regulations related to domestic EOHS operations and evaluate the impact on business operations. Proactively revise enterprise policies and procedures and advise/direct business and segments accordingly
• Support UHG’s domestic government affairs efforts at federal, state and local levels, where warranted. Serve as a primary liaison with applicable regulatory agencies and bodies
• Provide subject matter expertise for facility environmental programs such as indoor air quality, waste management, air permitting, and wastewater management
• Provide EOHS consultation and support related to the company’s commitment to sustainability performance
• Design and implement a new EOHS Operations Team accountable to support day to day EOHS compliance and incident management for enterprise areas without EOHS resources (i.e., data centers, aviation, administrative offices, corporate functions)
  • Oversee incidents
  • Operationalize regulations applicable to business supported
  • Participate in annual risk assessment evaluation
  • Create and execute a regulatory adherence assessment framework
  • Create local safety committee structures
• Create domestic operations management review governance framework
• Support creation of an EOHS Executive and Alliance Partner Council

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in safety/environmental science or related technical discipline
• 15+ years’ experience as a Safety and Environmental Professional with eight (8) years or more in a leadership or managerial role in a healthcare or related work environment
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying regulatory frameworks such as OSHA, EPA, NFPA, DOT, etc.  
• Ability to work within a matrix organization and establish strong relationships with key stakeholders
• Ability to effectively lead a multi-disciplinary team to achieve organizational goals
• Excellent written communication and technical writing skills; excellent verbal communication and presentation skills
• Proven ability to influence without authority
• Excellent problem-solving skills, change execution and talent management/development skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required
• Ability to travel up to 20%

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in safety/environmental science or related technical discipline
• Professional certification or licensure such as CSP, ARM, etc.
• Strong understanding of technology and experience with EOHS software systems
• Strong understanding of an EOHS management system framework (ISO-like)

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.