Aviation Safety Leader — SMS & Risk (Hybrid)

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid role

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Career development

Remote work flexibility

On-site Paarl facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting an Aviation Safety Manager for our client, a regional airline, to lead SMS development and safety performance in Paarl, Western Cape. The role blends on-site leadership with flexible, hybrid work and focuses on culture, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will conduct risk assessments, audits, and investigations, develop training programs, and liaise with regulators to uphold ICAO Annex 19 and SACAA CARs standards while driving safety across all operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as required in Aviation Management or Safety Management.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive aviation safety management experience.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing SMS.
• Strong knowledge of aviation regulations (ICAO Annex 19, SACAA CARs).
• Solid risk assessment methodologies and incident investigation techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster a positive safety culture and influence behavior.
• Proficiency in data analysis and formal report writing.
• Experience with auditing and quality assurance processes.
• Eligibility to work in South Africa with a clean criminal record.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage the organization's SMS.
• Oversee aviation safety, risk management, and incident prevention.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections of operations and facilities.
• Lead investigations into safety incidents and identify root causes.
• Develop and deliver safety training across staff levels.
• Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Monitor safety trends and regulatory changes for compliance.
• Prepare safety reports for senior management and regulators.
• Manage hazard identification and risk assessment processes.

Skills

Aviation safety management

SMS development

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Report writing

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Safety Management, or related field

Job description

Placements24 is recruiting an Aviation Safety Manager for our client, a regional airline, to lead SMS development and safety performance in Paarl, Western Cape. The role blends on-site leadership with flexible, hybrid work and focuses on culture, compliance, and continuous improvement.

You will conduct risk assessments, audits, and investigations, develop training programs, and liaise with regulators to uphold ICAO Annex 19 and SACAA CARs standards while driving safety across all operations.