Data Center Health & Safety Manager

Job Title: Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) Manager

Location: Keflavik

Job Summary: The Data Center EHS Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive environmental, health, and safety programs to ensure a safe, compliant, and incident-free data center environment. This role partners closely with operations, facilities, engineering, contractors, and leadership to manage risk, meet regulatory requirements, and promote a strong safety culture across all data center activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• EHS Program Management

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve Verne site-specific and company-wide health and safety programs aligned with corporate and regulatory requirements

• Establish and develop EHS policies, procedures, and standard operating practices for data center operations

• Lead hazard identification, create risk assessments, and job safety analyses for critical activities

• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders from wider Verne EHS network to ensure alignment of safety management system throughout the business

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable local Icelandic, EU (where applicable) and relevant international EHS regulations

• Maintain required permits, licenses, and documentation

• Serve as the primary site contact for regulatory agencies and inspections

Incident Management & Prevention

• Ensure all EHS incidents and observations are recorded and actioned to closure

• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective/preventative action plans

• Track and analyse safety metrics, trends, and ensure compliance to Verne EHS Key Performance indicators

• Drive proactive safety initiatives in line with safety trends to reduce incidents and near-misses

• Ensure post incident lessons learnt communications with the wider business.

Training & Safety Culture

• Develop and deliver health and safety training and induction material for employees, contractors, and visitors

• Conduct employee and contractor toolbox talks and safety briefings

• Promote a No-Blame culture of safety accountability and continuous improvement

• Ensure Verne’s central H&S training needs analysis and training matrix is kept up to date

• Lead, organise and coordinate site H&S committee

• Act as the workplace elected Occupational health and safety representative.

Contractor & Vendor Safety

• Review and approve contractor safety plans, risk assessments, method statements and permits to work

• Ensure contractor training and competency requirements are met prior to works commencing

• Monitor contractor compliance with strict site safety requirements (PPE, supervision, segregations, inspection tag etc)

• Conduct regular audits and inspections of contractor activities

Emergency Preparedness

• Maintain integrity of site emergency response and business continuity plans

• Coordinate fire safety, evacuation drills, and emergency response exercises

• Collaborate with facilities, security, and local emergency services

Audits & Reporting

• Conduct regular scheduled safety inspections and audits of data center facilities designed to identify non-conformances before an external audit.

• Prepare reports for leadership on safety performance, ISO 45001/ISO14001 compliance, and identified safety risks

• Support internal and external audits

• Carry out workplace surveys and assessments to ensure Verne meets Finnish occupational health requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in occupational health & safety, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• 5+ years of health and safety experience in data centers, critical facilities, construction, manufacturing, or industrial environments

• Strong knowledge of Icelandic workplace safety (Vinnueftirlitið guidelines, OSH Act No. 46/1980, HMS regulations, ÍST EN 50110, etc.), and data center safety practices

• Experience in leading and managing ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standard audit

• Experience in managing contractor safety

• Experience with electrical safety, confined spaces, LOTO, and fire suppression systems

• in-depth knowledge and experience in developing and implementing permit-to-work systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications such as CSP, CIH, IOSH, NVQ-Level 5 or 6, NEBOSH, or equivalent

• Experience supporting large-scale or hyperscale data center or Critical environments

• Understanding of construction related risks including contractor management in live operational spaces.