Manager, Operational Safety

Vancouver Airport Authority; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement matching

Commuting support

Vacation days

Job summary

Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) seeks a seasoned Manager, Operational Safety to lead proactive risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across airport operations. You will collaborate with airlines, regulators, and partners to strengthen safety performance and resilience.

The role emphasizes mentoring safety professionals, driving SMS improvements, and ensuring regulatory compliance, with a strong focus on data-driven decision making and continuous learning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in an operational or safety-critical aviation environment.
• At least 3 years of people leadership experience, with a track record coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Leadership experience in a complex, highly regulated aviation environment with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and continuously improving Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Strong background in operational risk management, including risk assessments, change management, and mitigation strategies.
• Experience leading or overseeing incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Proven expertise in safety assurance, including audits, inspections, compliance monitoring, and operational readiness reviews.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with ability to collaborate across regulators, airlines, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the airport's Operational Safety Program, setting direction and initiatives to strengthen safety performance across airport operations.
• Lead and influence cross-functional stakeholders to foster a collaborative safety culture.
• Champion proactive risk management to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks.
• Drive continuous improvement using safety data, performance metrics, and industry best practices.
• Lead safety investigations and organizational learning, ensuring corrective actions are implemented and lessons learned are shared.
• Oversee safety assurance activities, including audits, inspections, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and mentor safety professionals and operational leaders to build capability and engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Safety management

Stakeholder management

SMS implementation

Risk assessment

Incident investigations

Data analytics

Regulatory compliance

Change management

Mentoring & coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management or related field

Job description

YVR connects people, places, and cargo while delivering a safe and efficient experience for everyone. The Operational Excellence and Improvement team helps ensure airport readiness by advancing operational safety, performance improvement, business resilience, and emergency preparedness, enabling YVR to effectively manage risks, respond to disruptions, and continuously improve operations.

Position Overview

Are you passionate about creating safer, smarter airport operations? We have an exciting permanent full-time opportunity for a Manager, Operational Safety. Reporting to the Director, Operational Excellence and Improvement, you will lead the proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of operational risks while fostering a strong safety culture across the airport.

Working closely with airlines, regulators, stakeholders, and operational teams, you will lead a team focused on continuously improving safety performance across the airport. Through collaboration and proactive leadership, you will help ensure airport operations remain safe, efficient, and resilient.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the airport's Operational Safety Program, setting direction, priorities, and initiatives that strengthen safety performance across airport operations.
• Lead and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including airlines, regulators, contractors, and operational partners, to foster a strong and collaborative safety culture.
• Champion proactive risk management, ensuring operational risks are identified, assessed, and effectively mitigated to support safe and resilient operations.
• Drive continuous improvement by using safety data, performance metrics, and industry best practices to strengthen operational safety outcomes.
• Lead safety investigations and organizational learning, ensuring incidents are thoroughly reviewed, corrective actions are implemented, and lessons learned are embedded across the airport.
• Provide oversight of safety assurance activities, including audits, inspections, compliance monitoring, and operational readiness reviews, to maintain high standards of safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and mentor safety professionals and operational leaders, building capability, accountability, and engagement in support of a world-class safety culture.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in an operational or safety-critical aviation environment, supported by a bachelor's degree in aviation management, Aviation Safety, Aerospace, Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of people leadership experience, with a proven ability to coach and develop high-performing teams, set strategic priorities, allocate resources effectively, manage performance, and successfully lead teams through change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leadership experience in a complex, highly regulated operational environment, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and continuously improving Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Strong background in operational risk management, including risk assessments, change management, and mitigation strategies.
• Experience leading or overseeing incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Proven expertise in safety assurance, including audits, inspections, compliance monitoring, and operational readiness reviews.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across operational teams, regulators, airlines, and external partners.
• Experience using safety data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decisions, improve safety outcomes, and communicate insights to leadership.
• Sound knowledge of aviation regulations, standards, and industry best practices.

Although not required, French language skills are an asset as we are committed to providing bilingual services to our visitors and passengers.

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.

As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range :

$105,680 to $158,520 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 15% of your annual salary At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits

Who We Are

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at [e-mail].