Operational Safety Manager

Description:

Under direction of the Senior Manager, Operational Safety, this role provides leadership and oversight for operational safety programs across stations, rail operations(GO&UP and RT), and customer protection services (CPS). Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, promotes a strong safety culture, and drives continuous improvement in safety performance across Metrolinx operations.

Support the development and improvement of safety programs in alignment with relevant legislation, standards and best practice within transit operations for heavy rail and light rail. Liaises with internal and external stakeholders in relation to legislation and corrective action, including Transport Canada, the Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Report the results of oversight and compliance assessments identifying themes, trends, and gaps in the areas of operational safety and their impacts across Mx Operations. Contribute to public and internal reports in partnership with the Senior Manager, Operational Safety.

What will I be doing?

Leads the implementation of operational safety standards, policies, and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance (e.g., OHSA, Transport Canada, TSSA).
Oversees operational safety inspections, audits, and investigations to identify risks and ensure corrective action.
Manages safety performance indicators and develops action plans to achieve continuous improvement.
Coordinates incident response and root cause investigations, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into operations.
Supports design and operational readiness reviews for new projects and service changes with a safety focus.
Applies risk management principles and disciplines in the assessment of operational safety activities. 
Manages and/or recommends the cessation of any work or activity posing a potential risk to employees, contractors, and/or the public. Recommends changes to methods, equipment, and materials to improve the margin of safety.
Analyze information gathered and compare findings with safety legislation requirements, standards, and best practice to determine the best way to advise and influence responsible parties to improve occupational health and safety.
Collaborates with internal departments, contractors, and external regulators to maintain compliance and alignment on safety initiatives.
Provides subject matter expertise to capital projects, rail services, and station operations on safety risk assessments.
Develops and delivers safety training programs to enhance awareness and operational competence.
Engages stakeholders to strengthen the safety-first culture across all levels of the organization.
Monitor changes in business processes, information systems, management and operations, and coordinate with functional staff to ensure mitigation of risks.
Identify and influence organizational stakeholders to adopt best practice in the areas of safety regulation and occupational health and safety monitoring and reporting. 
Use tools and technology, data, and judgment to be risk-focused and improve the quality and efficiency of safety regulatory and system assessment work processes.
Maintain a suite of reporting tools for monitoring, measuring and reporting safety .
Prepare consolidated reporting on a periodic basis on safety culture, compliance to relevant standards, safety non-compliance measures (KPIs), and other relevant reports suitable for public reporting.
Ensure all assessment work is fully documented in line with the Enterprise Safety Management System, best practices, and Metrolinx’ internal audit methodology.
As required represent Metrolinx to industry stakeholders including Transport Canada, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Labour and Trade Unions.
Ensure that planning and service delivery objectives are delivered on time, within budget, and that anticipated results are achieved.
Provide recommendations to reduce safety and system assurance risks and incidents, thereby reducing financial risks associated with fines, casualties, property and asset damages, insurance, and related reputational damage. 
Creates a culture of safety excellence by mentoring and developing team members.
Provides leadership to safety professionals and consultants, ensuring alignment with corporate safety strategy.
Builds a resilient and high-performing safety team with clear accountabilities and performance standards.
Other duties as assigned.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

Completion of a degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, Transportation Management, or related discipline – or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Progressive experience in operational safety, safety management systems, or risk management, preferably in the transit or rail industry.
Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or equivalent preferred.
Knowledge of applicable safety regulations (OHSA, Transport Canada, TSSA, MOL, CSA standards).
Strong expertise in risk management, incident investigation, and safety audits.
Experience with safety management systems and continuous improvement frameworks.
Ability to analyze data and safety performance metrics to identify trends and recommend solutions.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Experience in developing safety audit and compliance policies, procedures, processes, tools and training based on industry best practice.
Knowledge of root cause and corrective action processes
Experience in development and maintenance of leading and lagging key performance indicators, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.
Proficiency in MS Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Ability to present and persuasively communicate at all levels of the business and external stakeholders.
A team player with interpersonal, oral/written/presentation skills to promote a safety culture, advise on health and matters and manage the development of safety system elements (programs, policies, procedures, processes, tools and training).
Decisive, methodical, dependable, responsive, trustworthy problem solver and evaluator.
May be required to respond to incidents outside normal business hours. Work involves both office and field environments, including exposure to active construction sites and operational railway facilities.