Role Summary
The Health and Safety Director plays a critical role in supporting resort business objectives by developing and executing strategies that proactively mitigate risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and uphold the highest safety standards. This role is essential in protecting guests, employees, and contractors while reinforcing Merlin’s reputation as a leader in safety and operational excellence.
As a subject matter expert, the Health and Safety Director provides strategic leadership, expert guidance, and mentorship to the resort’s senior leadership team, department managers, and the Health and Safety function. They will drive the adoption of industry best practices, implement progressive safety programs, and maintain governance structures to monitor and improve health and safety performance.
This role requires a risk-based approach, focusing on the most critical health and safety concerns. The Health and Safety Director will oversee the Resort’s Health and Safety Risk Register, Annual Action Plan, and key business priorities, ensuring continuous improvement in risk management.
By embedding health and safety as a core value, this position fosters a culture of proactive risk management, self-monitoring, and continuous enhancement. Through close collaboration with all departments, the Health and Safety Director ensures adherence to legal and corporate safety requirements while driving engagement, accountability, and innovation.
Additionally, the role serves as the primary liaison for regulatory bodies, industry associations, and external compliance agencies. The Health and Safety Director will also support business development initiatives, ensuring that new projects, attractions, and expansions are designed, mobilized, and launched with safety at the forefront.
While Security and First Aid/Medical services fall under Resort Operations, the Health and Safety Director will provide strategic oversight to ensure compliance with regulations, company policies, and industry best practices.
At Merlin, we recognize that safety is a partnership. The Health and Safety Director will serve as a vital link between functional expertise and operational execution, ensuring that the Resort’s safety initiatives align with global strategies and business goals.
Key Accountabilities
- Champion health and safety leadership by driving accountability, teamwork, and individual responsibility at all levels.
- Establish health and safety as a core value, ensuring high standards, strong performance, and a proactive culture.
- Develop and execute a comprehensive health and safety strategy, ensuring alignment with regional and corporate priorities.
- Promote leadership ownership and accountability for safety standards and initiatives.
- Identify, assess, and manage key risks to protect employees, guests, and Merlin’s reputation while ensuring compliance with OSHA and other regulatory requirements.
- Oversee the implementation of control measures and safety protocols to maintain a safe environment for all.
- Provide specialized training and resources to ensure staff can perform tasks safely, including Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space, Electrical Safety, and Powered Industrial Trucks.
- Develop and mentor a high-performing Health and Safety team, building talent pipelines and fostering professional growth.
- Implement governance, compliance monitoring, and reporting processes to track and improve safety performance.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain comprehensive health and safety policies, objectives, and procedures, ensuring compliance across the Resort.
- Provide strategic direction and mentorship to senior leaders to promote safety ownership.
- Identify high-risk areas, ensuring focused risk management strategies and mitigation efforts.
- Monitor compliance with internal policies and external regulations, leading audits and assurance activities.
- Partner with Resort leadership to develop incident prevention initiatives and drive safety improvements.
- Support the design, build, and mobilization of new attractions, ensuring best safety practices from concept to execution.
- Provide expert oversight for capital projects, ensuring safety risk management throughout the project lifecycle.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, benchmarking against industry best practices and introducing innovative safety initiatives.
- Lead the “Protecting the Magic” campaign, embedding a culture of safety throughout the organization.
- Collaborate with Security and First Aid teams to enhance safety protocols and ensure compliance.
- Deliver meaningful safety performance reports and KPIs to senior leadership, driving accountability and data-driven decision-making.
- Represent Merlin in industry forums, regulatory discussions, and external engagements, ensuring alignment with global best practices.
- Act as the primary contact for General Liability (GL) claims, ensuring efficient case management, documentation, and legal coordination.
Leadership Behaviors
At Merlin, exceptional leadership is defined by a commitment to curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and the development of others. Our leaders embody these behaviors to inspire teams, drive success, and create a thriving workplace culture.
Soulfully Curious
- Continuously seek out new knowledge, explore diverse perspectives, and engage deeply with complex challenges.
- Ask insightful questions with positive intent, demonstrate a passion for learning, and remain open to new ideas and innovations.
Results-Focused
- Establish clear goals, set priorities, and proactively track progress to drive meaningful outcomes.
- Take full accountability for results, learn from successes and setbacks, and remain committed to exceeding expectations.
Extraordinary Teammate
- Foster a culture of collaboration by sharing knowledge, offering support, and engaging with peers across the organization.
- Communicate with clarity and respect, celebrate team successes, and actively contribute to a positive and high-performing work environment.
Develops People
- Champion the growth and development of others by providing regular, constructive feedback and mentorship.
- Create opportunities for skill-building, nurture talent, and take a genuine interest in the personal and professional advancement of team members.
Critical Interfaces
The Health and Safety Director collaborates with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of safety strategies, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the continuous enhancement of safety standards across the resort.
Internal Stakeholders:
Resort Leadership Team & Business Partners
- Work collaboratively to implement health and safety initiatives, uphold compliance, and foster a proactive safety culture across all regional attractions.
Regional Health and Safety Teams
- Partner to maintain alignment with regional and global safety standards, share best practices, and drive continuous improvement.
Central Health and Safety Experts
- Ensure strategic alignment on key safety priorities, program effectiveness, and Merlin’s Group-wide health and safety vision.
Technical & Operational Teams
- Collaborate to identify and mitigate critical safety risks, uphold procedural adherence, and reinforce a ‘Safety First’ culture.
Merlin Magic Making (MMM) Teams
- Provide health and safety oversight for new rides, attractions, and accommodations, ensuring compliance throughout the project lifecycle.
Group Legal, Company Secretariat & Compliance Teams
- Coordinate legal and regulatory compliance efforts, risk management strategies, and administrative procedures.
External Stakeholders:
- Regulatory Bodies & Industry Organizations
- Establish and maintain strong relationships to ensure compliance, anticipate evolving industry standards, and position Merlin as a leader in health and safety excellence.