[Hiring] Empowering Safe Work Lead Trainer @International Paper

Role Description

The Empowering Safe Work Lead Trainer is responsible for building and sustaining International Paper’s internal capability to deliver Empowering Safe Work (ESW) training. This role is critical to building strong, consistent Empowering Safe Work trainers at the site level and directly supports the Safety Excellence journey.

The Lead Trainer serves as a subject-matter expert in ESW content, effective facilitation, and in-field application. The role develops and certifies new International Paper ESW trainers, supports existing ESW trainers, and helps ensure consistent, high-quality training delivery. This role partners closely with the Safety Excellence Project Management Office (PMO), Health and Safety leaders, site trainers, and site leadership teams to maintain training quality, strengthen trainer capability, and continuously improve the learning experience. This role requires approximately up to 75% travel.

The Job You Will Perform:

• Trainer Development and Certification
  • Lead the internal development and certification of new Empowering Safe Work trainers, using the approved ESW Train-the-Trainer process for all five learning modules.
  • Prepare new trainers to facilitate ESW content effectively with frontline employees across different operations, work environments, and experience levels.
  • Evaluate trainer readiness through practice facilitation, observation, coaching, and demonstrated understanding of ESW concepts and intent.
  • Provide practical feedback and targeted development to prepare trainers for successful delivery.
  • Make objective certification recommendations, including retraining or targeted development when additional preparation is needed.
  • Maintain strong working knowledge of all ESW modules, facilitation materials, activities, supporting tools, and intended learning outcomes.
• Trainer Coaching and Capability Building
  • Observe ESW trainers during workshops and provide practical coaching on facilitation quality, participant engagement, content accuracy, and connection to real work.
  • Support new or developing trainers through practice, co-delivery, peer learning, and Community of Practice sessions.
  • Help trainers respond effectively to participants’ questions, resistance, and challenging training situations.
  • Model strong safety leadership behaviors, curiosity, and credibility in every interaction.
• Partnership and Continuous Improvement
  • Build productive working relationships with Safety Excellence PMO, site trainers, Health and Safety teams, and site leadership.
  • Develop site trainers’ observation, coaching, and feedback skills to help frontline teams and supervisors apply ESW strategies in daily work.
  • Oversee assurance processes to confirm ESW training is contributing to observable changes in workplace decisions, conversations, and behaviors.
  • Partner with site leaders and site trainers to use insights from ESW training, trainer observations, and employee feedback to identify and address barriers to safe work.
  • Build site capability to sustain ESW by transferring knowledge, tools, and coaching practices to trainers, supervisors, and leaders.
  • Capture and share lessons from ESW implementation to strengthen training, leader reinforcement, and application across International Paper.
  • Deliver or co-deliver ESW training when needed to support vacancies, deployment surges, or special circumstances.
• Program Coordination and Feedback
  • Coordinate closely with the Safety Excellence PMO on schedules, logistics, and training execution.
  • Provide timely feedback to the PMO and pillar leads on participant engagement, common challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Identify trends, barriers, or gaps observed in the field and elevate them for discussion and action.
  • Support continuous improvement of training delivery through lessons learned and field insights.
• Alignment and Governance
  • Ensure all training delivery aligns with International Paper’s Safety Excellence strategy, cultural attributes, and leadership expectations.
  • Adhere to all intellectual property, confidentiality, and delivery standards associated with Empowering Safe Work content.
  • Represent Safety Excellence professionally and consistently across all locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in safety, operations, HR, or organizational transformation.
• Demonstrated experience developing, coaching, and preparing facilitators or trainers, including assessing readiness and providing clear developmental feedback.
• Strong facilitation capability and high credibility with frontline team members and operational leaders.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Ability to connect complex concepts to real-world work and exposure.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort working in a highly mobile, field-based role.

Requirements

• This position builds on IP’s reputation for excellence, innovation, and leadership in HSE management.
• The position will require travel up to 75%, primarily domestic, including frequent multi-day site visits plus the ability to work flexible hours to align with site schedules and training needs.

Benefits

• Health, welfare, and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions.
• Paid Time Off.
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement).
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance.
• Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision, and pets.