Our esteemed client in Middlesex County, New Jersey is seeking an experienced, strategic, and visionary Senior Director of Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (QHSE) to provide global leadership and oversight of the company’s QHSE programs. This executive role is responsible for setting the enterprise-wide QHSE strategy, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory and international standards, and driving operational excellence across the organization. The Senior Director will cultivate a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop, implement, and lead the company’s global QHSE strategy, policies, and long-range programs in alignment with overall business objectives.
• Serve as the organization’s senior QHSE leader, providing thought leadership and guidance to the executive team, business units, and global operations.
• Provide executive reporting on QHSE performance, risks, trends, and opportunities to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.

Quality Management & Operational Excellence

• Oversee the enterprise Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure consistent delivery of products and services that meet internal, customer, and regulatory requirements (ISO 9001).
• Partner with operational leaders to embed QHSE principles into day-to-day activities, strategic planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure organizational readiness for external audits, inspections, certifications, and regulatory reviews.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Lead global health and safety programs to maintain a secure and compliant workplace, aligned with ISO 45001 and applicable regulations including OSHA and international safety standards.
• Drive injury and incident prevention efforts, targeting zero-incident performance through proactive risk identification, mitigation, and workforce engagement.

Environmental Stewardship

• Direct environmental compliance programs and sustainability initiatives across all facilities.
• Prepare and lead the organization toward successful attainment of the ISO 14001 certification by Q3 CY-2027, ensuring full organizational readiness.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed QHSE team.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Quality Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive QHSE experience, including at least 5 years in a senior global leadership role.
• Deep expertise in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, as well as global regulatory frameworks (CE, COLREGS, IMO). Comparable aviation standards experience will also be considered.
• Maritime industry experience required.
• Proven track record of leading QHSE cultural transformation and enterprise-level organizational change.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to influence and communicate effectively at the executive and board level.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and drive alignment across complex global operations.

Ascendo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity

Ascendo is a certified minority owned staffing firm, and we welcome and celebrate diversity. Ascendo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Contact information

Nicholas Umbro