Head of Safety

The Head of Safety is responsible for providing guidance and direction for planning strategies, implementing, and operating the organization’s Safety Management System (SMS) and all other operational safety-related functions. This role involves conveying information to highlight safety issues to management and delivering safety information to staff, contractors, and stakeholders through appropriate channels.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of the Safety Management System (SMS) and Flight Data Analysis Program (FDAP) within the Safety Department and among Operational Divisions.
• Oversee and review the periodic review of safety policies, objectives, and the organization’s safety performance, ensuring timely reporting on safety issues and trends to C-Level executives.
• Manage safety-related processes, procedures, events, trends, issues, safety reporting programs, SMS, and FDM software.
• Ensure data integrity and validity, and appropriate use of data to improve quality in the operation of flights.
• Assure identified risks or hazards associated with operations are properly assessed, analyzed, and monitored.
• Ensure addressing and implementing risk evaluations as per the approved risk matrix, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Conduct safety risk assessments, management of change, safety surveillance/inspections programs, and safety action groups.
• Lead safety performance monitoring while ensuring the effective monitoring of SPIs, SPTs, and SOs.
• Review safety communication means across the airline, such as Safety Newsletter, Website, Bulletins, Workshops, etc., to propagate safety information and enhance safety awareness across the airline.
• Oversee and monitor safety promotion activities.
• Manage and monitor the Safety Department strategic plan, headcount, budgets, and the airline's safety training programs.
• Stay up to date on the latest safety trends and regulations to continuously improve the airline’s SMS by incorporating best practices and adapting to new safety requirements.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders to build relationships, share best practices, and collaborate on safety initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in the aviation field.
• Airline Transport Pilot License, Flight Dispatcher, or Aircraft Mechanic License (B1 & B2).
• Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in the aviation industry, with at least 5 years in a management position.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in aviation safety or flight operations standards.
• Safety Regulations and Compliance.
• Comprehensive knowledge of GACARs, IATA SARPs, ICAO annexes, and SMS.
• Crisis Management.
• Aircraft Operations and Systems.
• Safety Incident/Accident Investigations.
• Safety Auditing and Inspections.
• Adaptability.
• Effective Communications.
• Interpersonal Skills.
• Project Management Skills.
• Analytical and Problem-solving Skills.