Vice President of Safety & Risk Management

The VP of Safety & Risk provides strategic leadership for safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management across the company's fleet operations. This position fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by developing and executing initiatives that improve CSA performance, reduce accidents, and ensure compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and state regulations. The role owns risk activities across the fleet, including claims oversight, loss control, and litigation support to minimize organizational risk and financial exposure. This position safeguards our company's reputation as a safe, reliable carrier in the industry.

Responsibilities

• Champion a company-wide culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the company's safety, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management strategy.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and applicable state regulations.
• Improve CSA performance and reduce accident frequency and severity.
• Direct, measure, and control casualty claims.
• Oversee loss control, litigation support, and contractor insurance programs.
• Lead accident investigations and drive corrective action planning.
• Manage the contractor and driver qualification process, ensuring timely and thorough review of qualification files without compromising safety or recruiting.
• Develop and maintain safety policies, programs, and management systems.
• Maintain DOT compliance records, including driver qualification files, contractor qualification records, vehicle records, and other required regulatory documentation.
• Monitor safety metrics and provide executive reporting, actionable recommendations, and strategic insights.
• Oversee safety technology initiatives, including ELDs, telematics, camera systems, and other fleet safety technologies.
• Represent the company during DOT audits, regulatory inspections, customer safety reviews, and compliance investigations.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with regulatory agencies, insurance partners, and transportation industry organizations (e.g., ATA, Minnesota Trucking Association, TCA) to promote transportation safety and regulatory excellence.
• Support business development by partnering with customers on safety initiatives, regulatory compliance, and performance expectations.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Human Resources, Recruiting, Fleet Services, and Maintenance to achieve safety and compliance objectives.
• Lead and develop the Safety & Risk team, including succession planning.
• Develop and deliver driver and independent contractor safety training and coaching programs.