Aviation Safety Manager

British Antarctic Survey; Little Saxham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading scientific organization is seeking an Aviation Safety Manager to oversee the Air Unit Safety Management System. This role involves developing and implementing safety protocols and engaging with personnel to enhance the safety culture. The ideal candidate will have experience in aviation operations, strong leadership skills, and a background in hazard identification. With a focus on safety compliance and continuous improvement, this position supports the safety of operations both in Antarctica and globally.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Civil Service pension

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in an aviation operations or engineering environment.
• Experience of written procedure or manual production.
• Analysing technical data trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development of the Aviation Safety Management System.
• Monitor and analyse the Aviation SMS effectiveness.
• Manage and edit the Air Unit Safety Bulletin.

Skills

Leadership & Management experience

Hazard identification and risk analysis

Proficient in written and spoken English language

Confident in organising & chairing meetings

Communication with external organisations

Education

CGSE Maths

GCSE English

Tools

MS Office suite programs

Job description

Purpose

The Air Unit Aviation Safety Manager is directly responsible to the Head of Air Unit (Accountable Manager), for providing guidance and direction for the planning, implementation and operation of the Air Unit Safety Management System (SMS). The Aviation Safety Manager provides SMS‑related services to enable compliance with Overseas Territory Aviation Requirements (OTARs) and the BAS SMS. It also provides oversight and management of the unit's compliance and audit processes, undertaken by the Aviation Compliance Manager. The role is fundamental to the safe operation of our aircraft, not just in Antarctica but worldwide. Proactive engagement with personnel across all aspects of the Air Unit and the wider operational team is a critical element of the role, in order to influence the further development of our safety culture. The leadership and co‑coordination of safety across BAS is a fundamental principle of the organisation and this role will work with other safety managers to assure an integrated and holistic approach to safety.

Duties

Lead on the continued development, improvement and implementation of the Aviation SMS, covering all aspects of the Air Unit's operations (ground, engineering, flight ops, contractors and stakeholders).

• Develop, improve and implement the Aviation SMS, through refinement of the following key processes and tools:
  
  
  
  • Hazard identification and assessment
  
  
  • Risk assessment, management and assessment of effectiveness of controls. Initiate and review Risk Assessments (RA). Review \\"non-Air Unit\" RAs if they have an impact on the aviation SMS/operation.
  
  
  • Safety case analysis and structure
  
  
  • Setting and improving our safety targets
  
  
  • Change management processes, for the introduction of new equipment and processes
  
  
  
  


• Monitor and analyse the effectiveness of the Aviation SMS through:
  
  
  
  • Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs)
  
  
  • Safety assurance program (collect and analyse relevant safety data)
  
  
  • Oversight of and direction to the Air Unit's compliance and audit processes
  
  
  
  

Lead and advocate on improving the safety culture within BAS and the Air Unit, through direct engagement and promotion

• Proactively engaging with the Flight Safety Officer, pilots and wider Air Unit


• Encouraging increased hazard and near‑miss reporting of safety issues to management within the Air Unit


• Improving safety performance, through facilitation of communications to Air Unit management and contracted Maintenance and Repair Organisations (MRO)

Management and delivery of aviation safety campaigns

• Manage and edit the Air Unit Safety Bulletin:
  
  
  
  • Ensure aviation safety related information and organisational objectives are made clear and available to all personnel
  
  
  • Provide an update of OR/MOR incidents, investigations, closures
  
  
  
  


• Manage the Aviation Incident Reporting System as part of an Accident Prevention Program:
  
  
  
  • Submit reports to appropriate authorities in a timely manner
  
  
  • Initiate investigations and assign investigators
  
  
  • Collate actions/recommendations of ORs and MORs
  
  
  • Seek management agreement on proposed actions
  
  
  • Oversight and review/audit of closed OR/MORs
  
  
  • Monitor and evaluate results of corrective actions
  
  
  • Ensure compliance with Safety/incident reporting related regulations
  
  
  
  


• Ownership of all Aviation Safety Documentation:
  
  
  
  • Manage the Safety Management Manual – Aviation
  
  
  • Monitor and review procedures for documenting, storing and actioning ORs and MORs within the system
  
  
  
  


• Oversee and review safety training requirements for staff involved in BAS aircraft operations:
  
  
  
  • Set aviation safety training requirements and adherence
  
  
  • Develop or provide through external providers, safety training courses
  
  
  • Manage the Air Unit's safety training budget
  
  
  
  


• Lead on the assurance and review of aviation safety:
  
  
  
  • Ensure the organisation adheres to all applicable aviation safety regulations and standards set by our regulators (Civil Aviation Authority – Approved Training Organisation, Falkland Islands Civil Aviation Department, Air Safety Support International)
  
  
  • Instigate regular Safety Review Panels (minimum of four annually)
  
  
  • Provide annual Aviation Safety Report to SRP – including analysis of trends and SPIs
  
  
  • Instigate and co‑coordinate the Aviation Risk Review Panel (bi‑annual)
  
  
  
  


• Contribute to the BAS Incident Response Plan (IRP):
  
  
  
  • Participate in IRP exercises in appropriate role (& promote aviation related practices)
  
  
  • Review aviation related aspects of IRP and update and develop as necessary
  
  
  
  

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• CGSE Maths


• GCSE English


• Leadership & Management experience


• Experience in an aviation operations or engineering environment


• Experience of hazard identification and risk analysis


• Experience of written procedure or manual production


• Proficient in written and spoken English language


• Confident in organising & chairing meetings


• Analysing technical data trends


• Producing and delivering presentations


• Communication with external organisations


• Proficient in MS Office suite programs

Desirable

• Degree


• Experience in accident or incident reporting


• Ability to interpret regulations


• Aircraft operations related qualifications


• Engineering (elec or mech) qualifications


• Project / Programme management


• Effective use of and ability to build processes to deliver desired outcomes


• Logical approach to problem solving


• Actively looks to build relationships


• Use of risk, safety case or performance reporting software


• MS Excel formula and spreadsheet manipulation


• Database experience


• Website page editing and production


• MS Project

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2.5 privilege days


• Civil Service pension (with 26% or more employer contribution, depending on your band)


• 24 hours/365 days access to employee assistance programme (including support with physical, mental, social, health and financial issues)


• Flexible and family friendly working opportunities


• Cycle to work scheme


• Access to discounted shopping on a range of retail, leisure and lifestyle categories and much more


• Full consideration of requests for flexible and part‑time working, such as reduced hours, compressed hours or job sharing


• Hybrid working options where possible


• Pay band: minimum is the normal starting pay for those new to a role, but a higher starting salary may be considered in exceptional circumstances