Head – Quality & Safety Management Systems

The Sanad Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Quality & Safety Management Systems to drive operational excellence across its aviation and aerospace operations. This pivotal role involves developing and managing comprehensive frameworks that integrate quality, safety, and risk management. You will collaborate with stakeholders to shape strategic goals, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead transformative initiatives. Your leadership will foster a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality are met. If you are passionate about aviation and have a proven track record in quality management, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• 15 years of progressive experience in safety and quality management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of Quality & Safety Management Systems.
• Support strategic planning and execution across all units.

Skills

Quality Management

Safety Management

Risk Management

Lean Methodology

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Education

Master’s Degree in Technical/Engineering

Advanced Management Training

Quality and Safety Certifications

Risk Management Certifications

Job description

Head – Quality & Safety Management Systems

Head – Quality & Safety Management Systems

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The job will be based in United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY:

The Head defines and deploys the Quality & Safety Management Systems Framework, integrating Safety, Quality, Occupational Health & Safety, Lean, and Risk Management to drive operational excellence.

Supporting the Accountable Manager, the role helps shape the business’s Mission, Vision, and Strategy, facilitating strategic planning and execution across all units. As the Nominated Post Holder for Quality and Safety, the Head ensures regulatory compliance, secures new approvals, and liaises with aviation authorities within and outside the UAE to support business growth.

The Head acts as the Gatekeeper for Regulatory Compliance, maintaining high standards for Safety, Quality, and OHS while embedding industry best practices. The role develops and implements the Lean Framework, enhancing efficiency across business units.

Leading Risk Management, including ERM, BCM, SMS, and OHS, the Head provides governance, equips leaders with risk mitigation tools, and supports Crisis Management. Additionally, as Change Manager, the Head drives transformation and stakeholder engagement, ensuring successful execution of key initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Quality & Safety Management Systems Framework Development and Management: Leads the development, implementation, and management of the framework, encompassing Quality, Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Management, and Lean. Establishes a high-level standard to be adopted across all units, laying the foundation for compliance and driving operational excellence on the gated process. The framework fosters continuous process improvement and leadership performance. Additionally, supports Unit leaders in deploying the framework by providing guidance, training, tools and techniques, coaching, and expert advice.
• Strategy Development Facilitator: Supports the Accountable Manager in developing the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business Strategy by facilitating the process, engaging with relevant stakeholders, and providing tools and techniques. Supports the organization of workshops for strategy development and ensures effective oversight, monitoring, and governance of its implementation. Additionally, facilitates and supports the development of unit-level strategies to achieve the overarching strategic goals of the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO.
• Quality and Safety Post Holder: Serves as the Nominated Post Holder for Quality and Safety, for the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business, representing the organization directly with the Airworthiness Authorities. Acts as organization expert in aviation regulations and the main strategic liaison with Authorities both within and outside the UAE. Ensures strong engagement and alignment with Authorities to achieve strategic goals, including obtaining necessary approvals. Participates in high-level and detailed discussions with Authorities to support the positioning and strategy of the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business and its units.
• Compliance Gatekeeper: Acts as the organization’s Gatekeeper for Regulatory Compliance, ensuring all necessary approvals, including airworthiness, occupational health and safety, and customer requirements are in place for unit success. Oversees a robust compliance monitoring, feedback and escalation system, enabling Unit leaders to act decisively to achieve and maintain compliance. Provides transparency and clarity to the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business leader regarding compliance performance and risks. Independent evaluates the maturity of systems in each Unit and monitors compliance performance.
• Quality, Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Governance: Ensures the development, deployment and performance of governance processes for Quality, Safety, and Occupational Health and Safety systems across the Aviation & Aero engine MRO Business and its units. Collaborates with Units leaders to ensure full compliance with the regulations and requirements, whilst driving and supporting the continuous improvement of the system. Monitors results from internal and external oversight and surveillance activities, oversees root cause analysis, and ensures the effectiveness of responses to findings to prevent recurrence. Additionally, supervises the investigation process to ensure thoroughness and the robustness of corrective actions and learnings.
• LEAN Framework Development and Management: Leads the development and deployment of Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business LEAN framework, including defining the competences required through across the organization. Supports Unit leaders in implementing the framework by providing guidance, training, tools and techniques, coaching, and expert advice.
• Risk and Crisis Management: Leads risk management processes within the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business and its units, including Enterprise Risk Management, (ERM), Business Continuity Management (BCM), Safety Management System (SMS), and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Develops, deploys and maintains governance processes, provides the Accountable Manager with a comprehensive risk overview, equips unit leaders with tools to manage risks within their areas of responsibility. Additionally, facilitates and guides the Accountable Manager and the Crisis Management Committee to ensure effective responses during crises.
• Change Manager: Leads the Change Management process for the Aviation & Aero Engine MRO Business, supporting the Accountable Manager with strategic-level business changes. Facilitates the change management process by engaging relevant internal and external stakeholders, including authorities and business partners, to ensure smooth transitions for new business layouts, facilities, and capabilities. Provides guidance, training, tools and techniques, coaching and expert guidance/support to unit leaders for successful implementation of change initiatives.
• Team Leadership and Development: Leads and develops high-performing team through proactive coaching, mentoring, and effective performance management. Participates in recruitment efforts to attract and retain skilled staff. Promotes a culture of ethical behavior, fairness, and integrity while fostering open and honest feedback. Encourages collaboration, coaches and motivates team members to reach their full potential and achieve superior performance.
• Other Duties: Performs additional responsibilities as required by the role and organizational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES Minimum Qualifications (Education/Certification/Licensure/Professional Membership)

• Master’s Degree: A master’s degree in technical/engineering and/or commercial field is required, reflecting academic achievement and expertise relevant to the role.
• Advanced Management and Leadership Education or Training: Completion of advanced education or training in management or leadership, such as certifications, courses, or workshops, to enhance leadership skills and competencies.
• Advanced Quality and Safety Education or Training: Advanced education or training in Quality and Safety, including certifications, courses, or workshops that strengthen knowledge and skills in these critical areas.
• Advanced Risk Education or Training: Advanced education or training in Risk Management, supported by certifications, courses, or workshops that enhance capabilities in managing organizational risks.
• Quality Manager Post holder and Safety Manager Post Holder: Approval by Airworthiness Authorities as a Quality Manager and Safety Manager Post Holder in the current or a previous organization, demonstrating credibility and expertise in regulatory compliance and safety management
• Advanced LEAN Education or Training: Advanced education or training in LEAN philosophy, with certifications, courses, or workshops to develop and implement LEAN principles effectively.
• MRO/Safety and Quality Management Environment Experience: 15 years of progressive experience in safety and quality management within the Aviation Industry, including substantial/significant managerial responsibilities.
• Leadership Experience: 10 years of combined leadership experience, with at least middle management level experience. This includes a demonstrated ability to manage teams effectively and a proven track record of successful leadership.

Job Specific Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Approach challenges with an analytical and results-oriented mindset, using data and metrics to make informed decisions and identify areas for improvement. Setting the direction of Quality & Management Systems unit on the Business, by adapting to changing market conditions and making informed decisions that contribute to the company’s growth and success.
• Advanced Management and Leadership: Utilize advanced management and leadership skills to create a collaborative and results-oriented team, providing direction, motivation, mentorship and coaching to team members. Ability to excerpt leadership in teams and stakeholders not directly reporting to him, creating a common vision and drive.
• Technical and Commercial Knowledge: Display a deep understanding of technical and commercial aspects relevant to the aviation and aero engine MRO industry, including Engine Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) processes, procedures, best practices, regulations, and market dynamics. It is an enabler to oversee and optimize maintenance processes, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Quality, Safety and Health and Safety: Advanced ability to lead the establishment, development of processes to ensure that engine maintenance activities adhere to industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal benchmarks. This includes the transformation of the organizational culture aligned with the vision of the organization.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Analyst, Management, and Quality Assurance

• Industries

  Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Airlines and Aviation

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