Senior Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety

About the role

The Senior Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) provides executive leadership across a rapidly expanding global footprint of AI and hyperscale data center construction and operations. This role is responsible for building and scaling an EHS strategy that protects people, infrastructure, and communities while enabling fast, disciplined growth.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead enterprise EHS strategy, standards, and governance for AI, hyperscale data center, and crypto mining construction and operations across a growing footprint.
• Set world-class electrical safety standards covering NFPA 70E, arc flash mitigation, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), energized work controls, and high-voltage/low-voltage switching procedures to reduce high-consequence risk.
• Oversee EHS governance for high-voltage utility substations, generator yards, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and specialized AI server environments that include high-density liquid cooling systems and chemical refrigerants.
• Direct EHS frameworks for concurrent operations where heavy civil construction overlaps with live, energized facilities, ensuring compliance across both construction and general industry environments.
• Partner with Engineering and Design teams to embed design-for-safety principles and automated safety controls into modular, repeatable data center blueprints, commissioning plans, and deployment workflows.
• Drive environmental permitting and compliance for diesel backup generator emissions, large-scale water utilization, refrigerant and chemical management, and acoustic dampening requirements across applicable jurisdictions.
• Deploy predictive analytics and EHS technology platforms to monitor leading indicators, present TRIR, DART, and high-potential near-miss trends to executive leadership, and lead crisis response, root cause investigations, and prevention plans for critical incidents.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Safety Engineering, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related technical field required. Master’s degree (MS or MBA) preferred.
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP) required.
• Professional electrical engineering licensure or deep technical training in NFPA 70E and OSHA electrical standards preferred.
• 18+ years of progressive EHS leadership experience in high-risk, asset-heavy technical environments.
• At least 5 years leading global EHS programs within hyperscale data centers, semiconductor fabrication plants, critical energy infrastructure, or similarly complex technical environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing EHS programs for multi-gigawatt, multi-billion-dollar global construction portfolios.
• Strong technical authority and the ability to credibly audit, challenge, and collaborate with electrical engineers, commissioning teams, utility partners, and operations leaders.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and crisis management skills, with experience presenting metrics and risk insights to executive leadership and driving cross-functional accountability.
• Ability to thrive in hyper-growth, high-pressure environments with evolving AI technologies, changing design standards, and travel requirements of up to 40%.

Qualifications

• Experience managing EHS programs for multi-gigawatt, multi-billion-dollar global construction portfolios.
• Strong technical authority and the ability to credibly audit, challenge, and collaborate with electrical engineers, commissioning teams, utility partners, and operations leaders.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and crisis management skills, with experience presenting metrics and risk insights to executive leadership and driving cross-functional accountability.
• Ability to thrive in hyper-growth, high-pressure environments with evolving AI technologies, changing design standards, and travel requirements of up to 40%.

Skills

• Technical expertise in electrical safety and NFPA 70E.
• Leadership in high-consequence environments, including high-voltage substation grid connections, low-voltage server infrastructure, and rapid capacity deployment.
• Collaboration with engineering, design, project execution, operations, and executive leadership teams.
• Experience with predictive analytics and EHS technology platforms.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and environmental permitting.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: $300,000 - $350,000 base (commensurate with experience) + bonus + sign-on equity grant.
• Long-Term Growth: Eligible to participate in Riot’s equity incentive programs and share in the success you help build.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Includes a generous company match.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Multiple medical plan options, including 100% company-paid plans.
• Wellness & Lifestyle Perks: Enjoy free gym memberships, pet insurance, childcare discounts, and more to support your life both in and out of work.

Pay

$300,000 - $350,000 base (commensurate with experience)

Schedule

Based in our Austin, Castle Rock or Denver office. Relocation assistance is available for non-local candidates.