Head of Aviation Safety

Perth Airport; Alpha; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic team culture

Contemporary facilities

Work-life balance

Competitive remuneration

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Perth Airport in Western Australia is seeking a Head of Aviation Safety to lead and continuously enhance its Airfield Operations Safety Management System, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence across the airport. You will report to senior leadership and shape safety strategy with regulators and stakeholders.

This role requires a degree in Aviation or a related field, at least five years in aviation safety and Safety Management Systems, plus strong communication,

Qualifications

• Five years in aviation operational safety and five years administering Safety Management Systems.
• Experience in aviation safety risk management and safety assurance.
• Knowledge of CASR Part 139, ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859 and aerodrome certification obligations.
• Experience leading aviation safety investigations and root cause analysis.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills; able to influence across organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance and continuous improvement of the Airfield Operations Safety Management System.
• Provide expert safety advice to leadership on performance, risk and compliance.
• Oversee risk assessments, hazard identification and safety assurance activities.
• Lead aviation safety investigations and root cause analyses.
• Develop and monitor Aviation Safety KPIs and targets.
• Coordinate safety audits, reviews and regulatory engagement with CASA and stakeholders.
• Prepare executive reports, committee papers, dashboards and board updates.
• Promote a positive aviation safety culture through awareness programs.

Skills

Aviation safety leadership

Safety management systems

Risk assessment & mitigation

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Education

Degree in Aviation / Safety / Engineering

Job description

It’s fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing!

Perth Airport is Australia’s Western Hub connecting the people, businesses and communities of Western Australia with the rest of Australia and the world. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year, Perth Airport plays a significant role in providing economic, social and cultural benefits to West Australians

We are delivering a mulit-billion dollar infrastructure program to transform the airport, including new and expanded terminals, a parallel runway, multi-storey car parks and our first on site hotel. This investment will deliver a single, integrated airport precinct and a world class passenger experience.

Beyond aviation, the Perth Airport estate spans more than 2,100 hectares and supports a $1.5 billion portfolio of industrial and commercial assets, with significant opportunities for future development.

We are on the lookout for a Head of Aviation Safety to lead and continuously enhance Perth Airport’s Airfield Operations Safety Management System, ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety, regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Reporting to senior leadership, this critical role will provide strategic oversight of aviation safety governance, risk management, assurance, investigations and performance monitoring while fostering a strong and positive safety culture across the airport community. Working closely with relevant teams across Perth Airport, regulators and industry stakeholders, you will play a key role in shaping aviation safety strategy and driving continuous improvement.

About the role

• Lead the implementation, governance and continuous improvement of Perth Airport’s Airfield Operations Safety Management System in alignment with regulatory and industry requirements.
• Provide expert aviation safety advice to the Accountable Manager, Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team on safety performance, risk and compliance matters.
• Oversee aviation safety risk assessments, hazard identification processes and safety assurance activities across operational, infrastructure and organisational changes.
• Lead the management of aviation safety investigations, occurrence reporting and root cause analysis to support meaningful safety outcomes.
• Develop and monitor Aviation Safety Performance Indicators and Targets, providing insights and recommendations through regular reporting and analysis.
• Coordinate aviation safety audits, reviews and regulatory engagement activities while maintaining strong relationships with CASA and key stakeholders.
• Drive aviation safety governance through the preparation of executive reports, committee papers, dashboards and board level updates.
• Champion a positive aviation safety culture through safety promotion initiatives, awareness programs, education campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities.

About you

• Degree qualified in Aviation, Safety, Engineering, Risk Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum five years’ experience in aviation operational safety together with at least five years’ experience managing or administering Safety Management Systems.
• Demonstrated experience in aviation safety risk management, safety assurance activities and the delivery of effective risk controls.
• Strong understanding of CASR Part 139 Manual of Standards, ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859 and aerodrome certification obligations.
• Proven capability leading aviation safety investigations, conducting root cause analysis and delivering practical safety improvements.
• Excellent communication, report writing and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation.
• A strategic thinker who can identify emerging aviation safety risks and develop long term mitigation strategies that support organisational objectives.
• A collaborative and safety focused leader who confidently challenges unsafe practices, promotes continuous improvement and builds strong relationships across operational, technical and executive teams.

Why Join Perth Airport?

We offer a collaborative and inclusive workplace where people are supported to do their best work. You’ll be part of a forward-looking organisation with a clear purpose, working on projects that have a lasting impact on Western Australia.

Our benefits include:

• A dynamic and supportive team culture

• A contemporary workplace with excellent facilities

• A modern approach to work and life balance

• Competitive remuneration and company benefits

• Free on site parking

Doing the right thing by the planet and future generations is important to us. We place a strong emphasis on embedding sustainability throughout our business strategy and operations. We remain steadfast in our commitment to driving ESPG (Environmental, Social, People, Governance) performance across our value chain and areas that have material environmental and social impact.

Ready for you career to take off?