Manager – Aviation Safety

Emirates Airlines - Other locations; Dubai; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global aviation training organization is seeking a Senior Manager of Aviation Safety to lead safety governance and risk oversight. The ideal candidate will have significant aviation experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence safety culture. In this role, you will guide investigations, oversee safety performance, and champion the Safety Management System. This position offers an attractive tax-free salary and generous travel benefits, along with the chance to live in dynamic Dubai.

Benefits

Attractive tax free salary

Generous travel benefits

Comprehensive healthcare

Excellent annual leave package

Qualifications

• Significant aviation industry experience with demonstrated leadership in safety investigations.
• Strong knowledge of modern aviation operations.
• Experience in safety performance and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the Safety Management System.
• Direct and oversee investigations into incidents and accidents.
• Provide executive oversight of safety risk assessments and change management processes.

Skills

Leadership in safety investigations

Risk management

Safety governance

Strong knowledge of SMS

Education

Degree relevant to aviation safety or equivalent

Formal Aircraft Accident Investigator qualification

Job description

Overview

Job Purpose

Join one of the world’s most forward thinking aviation training organisations and lead the strategic direction of safety across all EFTA operations. This leadership role is ideal for an experienced aviation safety professional who thrives on influencing organisational culture, driving high impact safety initiatives, and shaping the future of flight training safety in a dynamic, global environment.

The Opportunity

As the Senior Manager of Aviation Safety, you will be the organisation’s trusted authority on safety governance, risk oversight, and safety performance. You will lead complex investigations, guide senior stakeholders, and ensure that EFTA continues to meet and exceed the highest international standards, including ICAO Annex 13 and GCAA requirements.

This is a role for someone who wants to make a measurable difference — not only by solving problems, but by preventing them.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of EFTA’s Safety Management System (SMS).
• Shape the academy’s long term safety strategy, identifying emerging risks and influencing executive decision making.
• Champion a proactive, generative safety culture across all departments.

Safety Investigations & Governance

• Direct and oversee investigations into incidents and accidents involving EFTA aircraft, personnel, and facilities.
• Lead multi disciplinary investigative teams and liaise with State Authorities during major events.
• Deliver high quality investigation reports that identify systemic issues and drive organisational learning.

Risk Management & Safety Intelligence

• Provide executive oversight of safety risk assessments, change management processes, and risk registers.
• Analyse safety data and trends to produce actionable insights for Safety Boards and senior leadership.
• Oversee the Safety Data Collection and Processing System (SDCPS) to support data driven, non punitive decision making.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

• Act as the senior safety advisor to EFTA management and operational leaders across flying operations, engineering, ATC, ground operations, and training.
• Represent EFTA in internal and external safety forums, strengthening the academy’s industry presence.
• Mentor and guide leaders in resolving safety deficiencies and elevating operational performance.

Safety Promotion & Culture Development

• Lead safety communication initiatives, campaigns, and publications, including regular safety summaries for flight crew.
• Drive proactive culture improvement programmes and ensure safety critical information is effectively disseminated.

Emergency Response Leadership

• Activate and lead EFTA’s Emergency Response framework during accidents or serious incidents.
• Maintain and enhance emergency response procedures to ensure organisational readiness.

Qualifications

• Degree relevant to aviation safety or equivalent professional qualifications (e.g., ATPL, Licensed Aircraft Engineer, Licensed ATC).
• Formal Aircraft Accident Investigator qualification.

• Significant aviation industry experience with demonstrated leadership in safety investigations and technical reporting.
• Strong knowledge of SMS, human factors, systemic investigation techniques, risk management, and modern aviation operations.

Salary & Benefits

• Attractive tax free salary
• Generous travel benefits, including discounted flights and global hotel stays
• Comprehensive healthcare, life insurance, and transport benefits
• Excellent annual leave package
• The chance to live and work in Dubai — a fast paced, cosmopolitan city at the heart of global aviation

Discover more about life in Dubai at emirates.com/careers.