Aviation Safety Manager — Lead SMS & Compliance

Placements24; Willows (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement annuity

Performance incentives

Professional development

Job summary

Our client in Welkom, Free State is seeking an experienced Aviation Safety Manager to lead the organization’s Safety Management System (SMS) and ensure compliance with ICAO and SACAA standards. You will champion a proactive safety culture, guide incident investigations, and drive risk management across all operations.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to influence across levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• 7+ years in aviation safety management or related operations.
• Solid knowledge of SMS, risk management techniques, and human factors.
• Experience in incident/accident investigations.
• Familiarity with SACAA regulations and ICAO standards.
• Proven leadership and project management abilities.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Proficiency with safety management software.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain the Safety Management System (SMS) per ICAO Annex 19 and regulations.
• Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and hazard identification.
• Lead investigations and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and deliver safety training across staff levels.
• Monitor safety trends and regulatory changes to stay compliant.
• Present safety performance reports to senior management and regulators.
• Be the primary safety contact for regulatory interactions.
• Promote a just culture for reporting safety concerns.
• Manage the aviation safety department budget and resources.

Skills

SMS knowledge

Risk management

Incident investigation

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SMS software

Job description

Our client in Welkom, Free State is seeking an experienced Aviation Safety Manager to lead the organization’s Safety Management System (SMS) and ensure compliance with ICAO and SACAA standards. You will champion a proactive safety culture, guide incident investigations, and drive risk management across all operations.

The role requires strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to influence across levels of the organization.