Aviation & Maritime Safety Assurance Lead

UK Research and Innovation; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pay pension

30 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Employee assistance programme

Hybrid working

Job summary

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) within UKRI seeks an Operational Safety Assurance Manager to lead aviation and maritime safety assurance, oversight and reporting. Hybrid working from Polaris House Swindon (0.8–1.0 FTE possible) supports a flexible schedule while maintaining high standards.

The role focuses on developing and maturing safety assurance frameworks, coordinating reviews, and delivering clear governance reporting to senior leadership, regulators and partners.

Qualifications

• Experience of assurance, risk management, governance or operational oversight within a complex organisation.
• Experience of delivering assurance, oversight or improvement activities within a complex and/or highly regulated environment.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present complex information, data and risks to support evidence-based decision making.
• Experience of developing reports, dashboards, management information or assurance reporting for senior audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills across organisational boundaries.
• Understanding of assurance, governance and risk management principles and their practical application.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with clear advice and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate aviation and maritime operational safety assurance activities across NERC National Capabilities.
• Manage assurance reviews, track recommendations and support improvement actions.
• Lead production of assurance reports and statements for senior governance bodies.
• Collate, analyse and interpret safety performance information for governance forums.
• Oversee assurance arrangements reviews within organisations delivering activities for UKRI-NERC.
• Act as focal point for safety case reviews and assurance findings.
• Identify and monitor operational safety risks and mitigating actions.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to assess residual risk in operations.
• Support external audits, inspections and independent assurance reviews.
• Help establish and mature UKRI's operational safety assurance framework.

Skills

Assurance leadership

Governance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Data interpretation

Reporting to executives

Communication

Job description

Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) within UKRI seeks an Operational Safety Assurance Manager to lead aviation and maritime safety assurance, oversight and reporting. Hybrid working from Polaris House Swindon (0.8–1.0 FTE possible) supports a flexible schedule while maintaining high standards.

The role focuses on developing and maturing safety assurance frameworks, coordinating reviews, and delivering clear governance reporting to senior leadership, regulators and partners.