Aviation Safety Manager

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

About the Role

Our client, a well-established regional airline, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Aviation Safety Manager to lead their safety initiatives in Paarl, Western Cape . This pivotal role involves developing, implementing, and managing the company's Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure compliance with all relevant aviation safety regulations and industry best practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for fostering a strong safety culture throughout the organization, conducting risk assessments, safety audits, and incident investigations. You will play a crucial role in identifying potential hazards and implementing effective mitigation strategies to minimize risks. This position requires a deep understanding of aviation safety principles, strong leadership skills, and excellent communication abilities. We are looking for a proactive individual committed to promoting safety at every level of the operation. Your expertise will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the airline's safety performance. This role offers the opportunity to shape safety policies and contribute to the overall operational integrity of the airline.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage the organization's Safety Management System (SMS).
• Oversee all aspects of aviation safety, risk management, and accident/incident prevention.
• Conduct regular safety audits and inspections of operational areas and facilities.
• Lead and manage investigations into safety incidents, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Develop and deliver safety training programs to all levels of staff.
• Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Monitor aviation safety trends and regulatory changes, ensuring compliance.
• Prepare safety reports for senior management and regulatory authorities.
• Manage the hazard identification and risk assessment process.
• Act as the primary point of contact for safety-related matters with regulatory bodies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Safety Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in aviation safety management.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• In-depth knowledge of aviation regulations (e.g., ICAO Annex 19, SACAA CARs).
• Strong understanding of risk assessment methodologies and incident investigation techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster a positive safety culture and influence organizational behavior.
• Proficiency in data analysis and report writing.
• Experience with auditing and quality assurance processes.
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa and possess a clean criminal record.

Benefits

• This hybrid role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive medical aid, and retirement fund contributions.
• Our client is committed to employee development, providing opportunities for advanced training and professional certifications in aviation safety.
• The role offers a blend of remote work flexibility and on-site engagement at our facilities in Paarl, Western Cape , supporting a healthy work-life balance.
• Benefits include generous annual leave, sick leave, and access to a supportive team environment within a respected aviation organization.
• Potential for career advancement and increased responsibilities within the safety department.