About this role
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.