Head of Safety, Security and Emergency Services

Greater Toronto Airports Authority; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority is seeking a strategic Head of Safety, Security, and Emergency Services to ensure the protection of people and operations at Toronto Pearson Airport. This leadership role focuses on enhancing safety management systems and implementing innovative strategies for crisis resilience. Ideal candidates will possess extensive experience in airport safety operations and a commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in airport operations, safety, or security.
• Experienced in implementing safety and security policies in complex organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Transport Canada regulations and Occupational Health and Safety frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Safeguard people, assets, and operations through integrated safety strategies.
• Oversee crisis management capabilities and lead safety portfolio modernization efforts.
• Develop resilience of airport services through risk management and compliance.

Skills

Security Management

Public Safety

Crisis Management

Operational Leadership

Risk Detection

Safety Procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business Administration

Master's degree in Aviation Safety, Business, Engineering, or Risk Management

Job description

Toronto Pearson is transforming. Now's the time for your career to fly.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a dynamic organization with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson Canada's leading global hub airport, excelling in airport performance, customer care, and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 1900 GTAA employees are working to create a next-generation airport through innovation and a commitment to providing a safe, efficient, and uplifting experience for passengers, while supporting the prosperity of our community and aviation partners. Join us as we work to make Toronto Pearson the preferred place to fly and work.

What can you expect from this position

As the Head of Safety, Security, and Emergency Services, you will safeguard people, assets, and operations through an integrated strategy that combines aviation security, public and corporate safety, Safety Management Systems (SMS), fire and emergency services, and emergency preparedness. You will develop and ensure the resilience of airport services by integrating enterprise-wide risk management, fostering a strong safety culture, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will oversee critical crisis management capabilities and lead transformation and modernization efforts within the safety and security portfolio by incorporating data analytics and real-time insights into decision-making and operational performance.

Who are we looking for

You are a strategic thinker with exceptional operational skills and a passion for innovation. You are committed to safeguarding people, assets, and operations through a forward-thinking strategy and thrive on driving organizational transformation. As a thought leader, you excel in strategic planning, leadership, mentoring, and coaching, even during crises. You possess excellent communication skills for executive reporting and are well-versed in global industry threats and trends. You have a strong command of safety and emergency frameworks, leveraging data dashboards, KPIs, and predictive analytics to inform decisions. You are a proven change agent capable of leading safety culture transformations in complex organizational structures, with specialized experience in ARFF, SMS implementation, and enterprise crisis coordination.

This is the role for you if you have :

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree in Aviation Safety, Business, Engineering, or Risk Management is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in airport operations, safety, or security, preferably in large airport or infrastructure environments in executive or cross-functional roles.
• 15 years of leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams in a matrix organization with multiple operational responsibilities.
• Experience in developing, implementing, and executing safety and security policies and programs within large, complex organizations, especially those involving large-scale capital projects.
• Knowledge of applicable Transport Canada regulations.
• Familiarity with Occupational Health and Safety programs and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to obtain and retain a Transportation Security Clearance.

To Apply :

Applications should be submitted directly to Heidrick & Struggles, the partner organization handling this recruitment, via email. The GTAA is committed to employment equity and fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Required Experience : Director

Key Skills

Security Management, Vehicle Patrols, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Access Control, Safety Procedures, Security Measures, Alarm Systems, Crowd Control, CCTV Monitoring, Security Checks, Risk Detection, Safe Environment, Security Systems

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : 10+ years

Vacancy : 1

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Safety and Emergency • Toronto, Ontario, Canada