Director, Environmental Health & Safety

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Director, Environmental Health & Safety
Job Profile Title
Director C
Job Description Summary
The Gene Therapy Program (GTP) is entering a new era of unprecedented opportunity with the great potential to reshape the face of medicine as we know it. Our discoveries have set the stage for successful treatments and possibly even cures for devastating genetic diseases. The laboratory of Dr. Jim Wilson, at GTP of the University of Pennsylvania, has been a leader in the development of innovative vector technology for close to three decades. We have emerged as the "go-to" organization for public and private partners, who want to participate in the gene therapy space. Currently, we are positioned to lead another round of vector innovation and establish pre-clinical and clinical proof-of-concept in therapeutic applications of in-vivo genome editing.Continuation of all GTP positions is contingent upon funding.
Job Description
Due to continued growth of our program, we are searching for a new Director, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) to be overall responsibility for the GTP's EHS program. GTP EHS program supports operations of research and biologics manufacturing, laboratories as well as animal vivarium's under GLP/GMP conditions for multiple sites.
As the Director, EHS, you will provide leadership to establish high compliance standards and collaboration for a robust safety culture. The Director develops and implements strategies, processes, systems, procedures, and metrics to achieve excellent EHS outcomes and performance across multiple sites and locations following UPenn EHRS, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies' standards and policies. Working with GTP leadership, UPenn EHRS, and colleagues across the organization, you will align and implement appropriate governance, best practices, fill gaps, and drive the EHS program consistency. You will be an effective leader, mentor, and coach who thinks strategically and is effective tactically.
Responsibilities include being the primary contact for GTP incident response, incident reporting and investigations, environmental permits, reporting, and risk management; Serve as the EHS representative to sponsors, auditors, and regulatory agencies. Establish EHS metrics, conduct reporting, compliance reviews, risk management, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. You will oversee all functional EHS programs for the site, such as biologic/chemical safety, industrial hygiene, hazard communication, PPE, emergency management, etc. Coordinates with operations to identify and mitigate risks with adequate engineering controls, procedures, and training.
Qualifications:
- MS degree in Industrial Safety, Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Safety Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and 5+ years of relevant industrial expereince or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
- Comprehensive experience managing EHS policies, standards, programs, and procedures, preferably at a Biotech or Life Sciences company required.
- Compliance oriented mindset with demonstrated competence in developing and implementing strategy, responding to challenges, maintaining critical documentation, and mitigating risks.
- Strong desire to champion EHS excellence.
- Strong leadership skills and proven success in building and leading high-performing, diverse, and inclusive teams, including goal-setting, performance coaching, and professional career development.
- Superior presentation skills to communicate with audiences in both commercial and technical/scientific settings.
- Cultural and emotional intelligence to develop and nurture collaborative relationships in a diverse environment.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Perelman School of Medicine
Pay Range
$72,837.00 - $138,391.00
Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.