Safety Optimisation Manager

Qantas; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel discounts

Flexible leave

Rewards program

Wellbeing app

Job summary

Qantas is seeking a strategic Safety Optimisation Manager at our Mascot Head Office, with flexibility to consider Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. You will lead safety reviews, audits and assurance activities to improve risk visibility and control effectiveness across the Group.

The role focuses on leveraging data, technology and AI to transform assurance practices and deliver proactive outcomes. You will collaborate with Heads of Safety, senior stakeholders and auditors to strengthen governance

Qualifications

• Qualification in Aviation, Safety Management, Quality Systems or equivalent.
• 6+ years' experience in safety, risk, assurance, governance or quality management in regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of safety management systems and risk principles.
• Experience delivering audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders across diverse groups.
• Interest in using data and AI to improve assurance outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety reviews, audits and assurance activities across the Group.
• Drive continuous improvement across assurance governance processes.
• Help enhance risk visibility and control effectiveness.
• Support uplift initiatives for auditor capability frameworks.
• Leverage data, technology and AI-enabled approaches to improve assurance outcomes.

Skills

Safety management

Risk governance

Audits & assurance

Leadership coaching

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant qualification in Aviation or Safety Management

Job description

Founded in the Queensland outback in 1920, Qantas has grown to be Australia’s largest regional, domestic, and international airline. Qantas has a range of subsidiary businesses that support the overall operations of the Group. The Qantas Group’s main business is the transportation of customers and freight using two complementary airline brands — Qantas and Jetstar — operating regional, domestic, and international services.

Job Description

• Drive continuous improvement across safety, risk and assurance outcomes
• Leverage data, technology and AI to transform assurance practices
• Permanent opportunity based at our Mascot Head Office, with flexibility to consider Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth

At Qantas, safety is at the heart of everything we do. We're looking for a strategic and forward-thinking Safety Optimisation Manager to help drive continuous improvement across assurance activities, governance processes and safety outcomes across the Group

Reporting to the Manager, Group Assurance Programs & Safety Optimisation, you'll lead safety reviews, audits and assurance activities that improve visibility of risk and control effectiveness across the Qantas Group. Working closely with Heads of Safety, senior stakeholders, Principals and Senior Auditors, you'll help enhance the quality, consistency and effectiveness of assurance findings, actions and risk responses while ensuring alignment with Group, regulatory and IOSA requirements.

The position will also support key uplift initiatives focused on strengthening auditor capability frameworks, enhancing assurance governance processes and driving continuous improvement across the assurance function. You'll play a key role in improving assurance practices through the use of data, technology and AI-enabled approaches, helping deliver more proactive, effective and efficient assurance outcomes across the Group while identifying opportunities to optimise processes, controls and safety performance.

What You’ll Bring

• Relevant qualification in Aviation, Business, Safety Management, Quality Systems or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• 6+ years' experience in safety, risk, assurance, governance or quality management within a large, complex or highly regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of safety management systems, risk management principles and control effectiveness.
• Experience delivering audits, assurance reviews, process reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships and influence outcomes across diverse business groups.
• Experience improving governance frameworks, assurance methodologies and risk and control management practices.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical capability and a hands‑on approach to delivery.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching, mentoring and influencing others.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a complex, dynamic environment.
• Interest in leveraging data, technology and AI to enhance assurance outcomes and business performance.
• Aviation experience is highly regarded but not essential.

Why Qantas?

If you’re successful in your application, you’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on the job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.

• We love to travel:Enjoy discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays.
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave and additional purchased leave options.
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging for everything from motor vehicles to electronic devices.
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether its learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today.

Applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia / New Zealand without restriction or sponsorship;

Applications close: Wednesday, 7 October 2026