Airside Safety Improvement Manager

Heathrow Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Heathrow is seeking an experienced Airside Safety Improvement Manager to lead safety programmes across the airside operation. You will identify risks, implement improvements and foster a strong safety culture across multiple stakeholder groups.

Working with operational teams, airlines, regulators and partners, you will use data-driven insights to enhance airside safety performance and support Heathrow's ambition to be the world’s most responsible airport.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering safety improvement programmes within aviation, transport, infrastructure, logistics, or other complex operational environments.
• Strong understanding of risk management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience analysing data and translating findings into practical safety solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to work across multiple organisations.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of strategic airside safety improvement programmes and initiatives.
• Analyse safety data, trends, incidents, and near misses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation plans addressing operational safety challenges.
• Monitor the effectiveness of safety interventions and ensure measurable improvements.
• Produce reports, recommendations, and presentations for senior leaders.
• Support compliance with aviation regulations and safety management systems.

Skills

Safety improvement

Airside safety

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Project management

Communication

Job description

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the buzz you’ll feel when you’re playing a crucial role at the heart of one of the busiest airports in the world. With more than 1,000 arriving and departing flights on a normal day, the Airside and Airspace Operations team works with customers and suppliers to ensure the safe, efficient and effective operation of the airfield and aircraft. Every day, you’ll discover a world of fresh possibilities, when every decision taken has a real impact on the way our whole airport operates.

You’ll join a high-performing team with a wide range of skills and a shared passion to make every journey better. You’ll be part of a team that not only delivers a safe and efficient operation every day but is also at the cutting edge of innovation, crafting and delivering new technology and infrastructure. Whether your role is to improve process efficiency, monitor aircraft movements or oversee safety measures, you’ll be vital to the continuing smooth running of our airport.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Airside Safety Improvement Manager to lead the development and delivery of safety improvement programmes across the airside operation. This is a high-profile role that will play a key part in identifying safety risks, implementing sustainable improvements, and fostering a strong safety culture across multiple stakeholder groups.

Working closely with operational teams, airlines, ground handlers, regulators, and business partners, you will use data-driven insights and industry best practice to enhance airside safety performance and support Heathrow's ambition to be the world’s most responsible airport.

Your role will involve

• Lead the delivery of strategic airside safety improvement programmes and initiatives.
• Analyse safety data, trends, incidents, and near misses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation plans that address operational safety challenges.
• Monitor the effectiveness of safety interventions and ensure actions deliver measurable improvements.
• Produce reports, recommendations, and presentations for senior leaders and governance forums.
• Support compliance with aviation regulations, safety management systems, and industry best practice.

These Skills Are Essential

• Proven experience delivering safety improvement programmes within aviation, transport, infrastructure, logistics, or other complex operational environments.
• Strong understanding of risk management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience analysing data and translating findings into practical safety solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to work across multiple organisations.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

About Us

There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.

Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.

Our rewards

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market‑leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Working Location

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.

Sustainable Travel to work

Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.

Equal Opportunities

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.