Senior Manager - Safety, Health and Environment (Rail Operations)

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Paid time off

Well-being resources

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Senior Manager - Safety, Health and Environment (Rail Operations) in Dubai to lead occupational health, safety, and environmental management within its rail operations team. The role requires 15+ years in SHE management, with at least 5 years in rail or heavy industry, and strong ISO 45001 expertise.

The successful candidate will drive risk assessments, incident investigations, regulatory compliance, and safety training across rail operations and maintenance, while managing

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in Safety, Health and Environment management.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in rail, transportation, or heavy industry.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour laws and occupational safety regulations; rail safety requirements and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated SHE management systems for rail operations.
• Oversee regulatory compliance and safety performance in rail activities.
• Coordinate incident investigations with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver SHE training programmes for operational and management personnel.
• Monitor SHE performance, budgets, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Safety management

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Tools

Safety management systems

Rail safety standards

Job description

Senior Manager - Safety, Health and Environment (Rail Operations) Job Snapshot - Role: Senior Manager - Safety, Health and Environment - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Transportation-Trucking-Railroad - Function: Environmental Health & Safety Services - Experience: Minimum 15 years in Safety, Health and Environment management, including at least 5 years in rail, transportation, or heavy industry - Gender: No Preference - Candidate Nationality: Not specified - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Salary: Not disclosed

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Manager - Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) to lead occupational health, safety, and environmental management activities within its rail operations team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The position is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining integrated SHE management systems, ensuring compliance with UAE regulations and applicable international safety standards, and promoting a proactive safety culture across rail operations and maintenance activities. The Senior Manager will oversee operational risk assessments, hazard identification, incident investigations, regulatory compliance, safety training, performance monitoring, and strategic safety improvement initiatives. The role also involves managing SHE budgets, coordinating with regulatory authorities, and providing technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate must have at least 15 years of progressive experience in Safety, Health and Environment management, including a minimum of 5 years in the rail, transportation, or heavy industrial sector. Strong knowledge of ISO 45001, UAE occupational safety requirements, and rail safety management practices is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of integrated Safety, Health and Environment management systems for rail operations.
• Maintain SHE management procedures aligned with ISO 45001 and applicable UAE regulatory requirements.
• Oversee occupational health, operational safety, and environmental compliance activities.
• Establish consistent safety management practices across rail operations and maintenance functions.
• Monitor implementation of SHE policies, procedures, and operational controls.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen safety performance and organizational compliance.
• Promote continuous improvement in safety, health, and environmental management.

Rail Operations Safety and Risk Management

• Conduct comprehensive safety risk assessments across rail operations.
• Lead hazard identification and analysis activities to identify operational safety vulnerabilities.
• Evaluate risks associated with rail operations and maintenance activities.
• Develop and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with operational teams to integrate safety requirements into daily activities.
• Monitor the effectiveness of implemented risk control measures.
• Support proactive identification and management of emerging safety risks.

Incident Investigation and Corrective Actions

• Lead investigations into safety incidents and operational events.
• Apply structured root cause analysis techniques to determine contributing factors.
• Review incident findings and identify appropriate corrective actions.
• Coordinate implementation of measures designed to prevent recurrence.
• Monitor completion and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Analyze incident information to identify recurring risks and improvement opportunities.
• Communicate relevant investigation findings to management and operational stakeholders.

Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards

• Ensure compliance with applicable UAE labour laws and occupational health and safety regulations.
• Monitor adherence to relevant rail safety regulations and international standards.
• Maintain awareness of regulatory requirements affecting rail operations and maintenance.
• Review organizational safety practices against applicable compliance obligations.
• Coordinate with regulatory authorities regarding safety and environmental matters.
• Identify compliance gaps and recommend appropriate improvements.
• Support consistent application of regulatory and organizational safety requirements.

Safety Training and Workforce Development

• Oversee the development of safety training programmes for operational and management personnel.
• Coordinate delivery of training on relevant occupational health, safety, and operational risk topics.
• Identify workforce training requirements related to rail operations.
• Support awareness of safety procedures, hazards, and risk mitigation practices.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.
• Promote employee participation in safety initiatives.
• Support the development of safety knowledge and competencies across operational teams.

SHE Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators for safety, health, and environmental performance.
• Monitor SHE metrics to evaluate operational safety outcomes.
• Analyze safety performance data and identify relevant trends.
• Prepare comprehensive SHE performance reports for senior management.
• Present safety findings, compliance information, and improvement recommendations.
• Prepare relevant reports for regulatory authorities.
• Use performance monitoring results to support informed safety management decisions.

Safety Strategy and Continuous Improvement

• Lead cross-functional teams in developing strategic safety improvement programmes.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing SHE management processes.
• Coordinate implementation of safety improvement initiatives across operational departments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of established safety programmes.
• Support organizational changes intended to improve safety performance.
• Promote consistent application of safety management principles.
• Encourage continuous improvement through analysis, collaboration, and corrective action.

Rail Operations and Maintenance Coordination

• Collaborate with rail operations and maintenance teams on safety-related matters.
• Integrate SHE considerations into operational planning and maintenance activities.
• Coordinate with technical and operational personnel to identify workplace hazards.
• Support implementation of appropriate operational safety controls.
• Address safety concerns affecting multidisciplinary activities.
• Promote communication between SHE personnel and operational management.
• Support safe and compliant delivery of rail operations and maintenance functions.

SHE Budget and Resource Management

• Manage the Safety, Health and Environment budget.
• Allocate resources to support approved safety initiatives.
• Coordinate resource requirements for SHE programmes and capital projects.
• Monitor expenditure associated with safety management activities.
• Assess resource priorities across multiple safety initiatives.
• Support effective use of available financial and operational resources.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of SHE programme requirements.

Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain professional relationships with relevant regulatory bodies.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders on safety and environmental compliance matters.
• Communicate organizational SHE requirements to relevant operational teams.
• Participate in discussions concerning regulatory obligations and safety performance.
• Provide safety-related information and recommendations to senior management.
• Support effective cooperation between internal departments and external stakeholders.
• Promote transparent communication regarding safety management priorities.

SHE Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and coordinate Safety, Health and Environment personnel.
• Provide technical guidance and professional mentoring to SHE team members.
• Support development of team capabilities in safety management and risk assessment.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities involving operational and management personnel.
• Encourage collaboration and accountability within the SHE function.
• Monitor progress on assigned safety initiatives.
• Promote professional development and technical excellence within the team.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Professional Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in Safety, Health and Environment management.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the rail, transportation, or heavy industrial sector.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing safety management systems.
• Strong knowledge of UAE labour laws and occupational health and safety regulations.
• In-depth understanding of rail-related safety requirements and applicable standards.
• Experience conducting operational risk assessments and hazard analyses.
• Proven ability to lead incident investigations and root cause analysis.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and organizational safety improvement initiatives.
• Practical experience developing and delivering safety training programmes.
• Experience monitoring SHE performance indicators and preparing management reports.
• Ability to manage multiple safety initiatives and associated project requirements.
• Experience coordinating with regulatory authorities and external stakeholders.

Education

A specific academic degree is not stated in the job requirements.

Professional Certifications and Preferred Qualifications

• NEBOSH certification or an equivalent occupational safety qualification is preferred.
• Familiarity with rail safety standards and best practices, including RSSB, FRA, or equivalent frameworks, is preferred.
• Experience in environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives is preferred.

Technical Skills and Professional Competencies

Safety Management Systems and Compliance

• Integrated Safety, Health and Environment management systems.
• ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management requirements.
• Knowledge of OHSAS 18001 safety management principles.
• UAE labour laws and occupational safety regulations.
• Rail safety regulations and operational safety requirements.
• International occupational health and safety standards.
• Regulatory compliance monitoring and assessment.
• Safety management procedures and operational controls.
• Environmental compliance management.

Risk Assessment and Incident Management

• Operational risk assessment methodologies.
• Hazard identification and analysis.
• Safety risk mitigation planning.
• Incident investigation and root cause analysis.
• Corrective action development and monitoring.
• Safety incident trend analysis.
• Operational risk management for rail and maintenance activities.
• Continuous safety improvement practices.

Safety Performance and Reporting

• SHE key performance indicator development.
• Safety data collection, interpretation, and analysis.
• Safety performance monitoring and evaluation.
• Management and regulatory reporting.
• Safety training programme development and delivery.
• Safety improvement programme planning.
• SHE budget and resource management.
• Project management and coordination of multiple initiatives.

Software and Digital Skills

• Proficiency in safety management software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex safety information.
• Competence in preparing technical reports and management presentations.

Leadership and Professional Competencies

• Strong leadership and multidisciplinary team management abilities.
• Experience driving organizational safety improvements.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Sound professional judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to coordinate with rail operations and maintenance teams.
• Strong presentation and reporting skills.
• Effective mentoring and professional development capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and safety initiatives.
• Commitment to regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.
• Ability to promote a positive and proactive organizational safety culture.

Recruitment and Onboarding Requirements

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent hiring activities seriously. All newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

Employee Benefits and Professional Development

AECOM offers employee benefits depending on employment status and applicable eligibility requirements.

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• life and disability insurance
• paid time off
• leave benefits
• well-being resources
• employee assistance programmes
• business travel insurance
• retirement savings arrangements
• other available employee programmes

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting and professional services firm committed to delivering a better world. The company works with public- and private-sector clients to address complex challenges across transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings. Its services include advisory, planning, design, engineering, programme management, and construction management, supporting the delivery of innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure solutions. AECOM brings together more than 50,000 professionals worldwide, including engineers, architects, planners, designers, scientists, digital specialists, and construction management professionals. A Fortune 500 company, AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. The organization promotes collaboration, professional development, respect, and equal employment opportunities.