Aerodrome Safety and Compliance Specialist - Aviation
WSP in the UK & Ireland
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
WSP is seeking an Aerodrome Safety & Compliance Specialist to lead safety assurance and regulatory compliance across aviation programmes UK-wide, with regular site visits to the Manchester region.
You will coordinate Safety Cases, risk assessments and approvals, manage airfield changes and SMS compliance, and drive a proactive safety culture through effective stakeholder collaboration and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Proven experience within aviation and/or aerodrome operational environments.
- Degree or demonstrable equivalent experience in aviation-related fields.
- Knowledge of Safety Management Systems and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
- Lead safety assurance, safety case management and regulatory compliance across aviation programmes.
- Coordinate hazard identification, risk assessments and safety case development.
- Manage airfield change, approvals and SMS compliance.
- Promote a positive safety culture and lead stakeholder engagement.
- Support emergency planning, resilience and incident investigations.
Skills
Education
Job description
At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.
At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.
The Aerodrome Safety & Compliance Specialist leads safety assurance, operational change management, and regulatory compliance across aviation infrastructure programmes. Acting as the key interface between operational stakeholders, project teams, contractors, and regulators, the role ensures safety is integrated throughout project delivery. Responsibilities include preparing Safety Cases, coordinating approvals, managing airfield operational change, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and Safety Management Systems (SMS), while promoting a positive safety culture and accountability for safety outcomes.
UK-Wide - Regular site visits to Manchester region will be required.
- Integrate airfield safety requirements across projects and programmes.
- Coordinate hazard identification, risk assessments, assurance activities, and Safety Case development.
- Facilitate safety reviews and coordinate technical, operational, and regulatory inputs.
- Support operational readiness, authorisation processes, and management of operational risks.
- Assess and coordinate operational and infrastructure changes affecting airfield operations.
- Manage change impacts, associated risks, and concurrent changes.
- Ensure change activities comply with SMS and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain programme assurance and approval plans.
- Coordinate regulatory submissions, approvals, and engagement with aviation authorities.
- Interpret regulatory requirements and advise project teams accordingly.
- Monitor regulatory developments, industry best practice, and programme-level safety dependencies.
- Promote and embed a positive safety culture across programmes, projects and teams.
- Lead operational safety assurance activities, including inspections, audits, reviews, and stakeholder coordination.
- Ensure compliance with approved controls, SMS requirements, and regulatory obligations.
- Drive continuous improvement, lessons learned, and proactive management of operational safety risks.
- Act as the principal safety interface between operational stakeholders, project teams, and contractors, supporting issue resolution and programme delivery.
- Support emergency planning, business continuity, resilience activities, incident investigations, recovery planning, and operational continuity assessments.
- Proven experience within aviation and/or aerodrome operational environments.
- Developing, reviewing, or managing Safety Cases and operational safety assessments.
- Working knowledge of CAA regulations, publications, and aviation safety standards.
- Application of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and safety assurance principles.
- Implementing aviation regulatory approvals, submissions, and consultations.
- Working collaboratively with operational stakeholders, designers, engineers, contractors, and regulators.
- Undertaking hazard identification, risk assessment, and assurance activities.
- Leading safety reviews, workshops, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Degree qualified in Airport Planning and Management, Aviation Safety Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related discipline; or
- Demonstrable equivalent experience gained within aviation, aerodrome, defence aviation or operational infrastructure environments.
- Supporting major infrastructure, transformation, or operational change programmes.
- Operational readiness and transition planning.
- Supporting infrastructure, engineering, or operational change programmes within live operational environments.
Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.
Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.
We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.
Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.
To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.
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