Post Holder — Part 121 / Part 135 Operations
Volantes Technical Recruitment is retained by a leading rotary-wing operator to appoint a Senior Flight Safety Manager (Post Holder) for its Part 121 / Part 135 operations.
This is a business-critical, regulator-facing appointment based at the operator’s headquarters in Riyadh, reporting directly to the Director of Safety. The successful candidate will own the performance of the Safety Management System (SMS) and the wider Safety Assurance programme across a modern, high-utilisation helicopter fleet, and will be required to gain formal Post Holder acceptance from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
ROLE AT A GLANCE
- Position -Senior Flight Safety Manager (Post Holder) — P121 / P135
- Function - Safety — Mid / Senior Management
- Reports to - Director of Safety
- Location -Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on-site, HQ)
- Fleet - Modern rotary fleet of c. 40–60 aircraft (AW139, H145, H125, H160)
- Regulatory - GACA Post Holder acceptance required (GACAR Parts 4 & 5, ICAO SARPs)
- Relocation - Full relocation support and flights provided
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a senior, regulator-facing safety leadership role with genuine ownership. As Post Holder for Safety, you will be accountable to the Director of Safety for the effectiveness of the SMS, the Safety Assurance programme and all safety and risk-management functions carried out under the operator’s Part 121 Air Operator Certificate. You will help develop and administer the SMS to meet company policy, customer requirements and full regulatory compliance, driving a mature, just and learning safety culture across all bases and deployments.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assess and assure the effectiveness of the SMS against the operator’s strategic business requirements across P121 operations.
- Facilitate hazard identification and risk assessment across all operational activities and the wider business.
- Manage all safety and issue reports through to completion, and lead investigations into accidents and occurrences, documenting outcomes, reports and action plans.
- Lead the development of Safety Cases for all operations and identify priority areas for new risk controls.
- Maintain and manage the Hazard / Risk Register, and monitor the effectiveness of safety risk controls and corrective / preventative actions.
- Conduct periodic safety and quality audits in conjunction with the Quality team to confirm SMS requirements are being met
- Provide analysis and reporting of SMS performance, and report regularly to the Director of Safety on performance and improvement needs.
- Develop, execute and maintain dynamic safety programmes and safety promotion at all bases and deployments.
- Participate in Management and Safety review meetings, providing minutes and tracking action outcomes.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).
- All required licences, ratings and training certificates, supported by documentary evidence.
- Previous or current experience with a high-demand helicopter operator running a fleet of approximately 40–60 aircraft.
- Minimum 7 years’ aviation experience, including at least 3 years in a management capacity and 3 years in an aviation safety role in comparable operations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and aviation risk-management principles, methods and execution.
- Working knowledge of GACAR Parts 4 & 5, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, and familiarity with FAA / EASA regulations.
- Able to satisfy GACA Post Holder acceptance requirements, including a panel interview as part of the acceptance process.
- Excellent report-writing, presentation and stakeholder-communication skills, with strong MS Office proficiency.
DESIRABLE
- Type experience on one or more of the operator’s fleet — AW139, H145, H125 or H160.
- Previous operating experience in the helicopter SAR / EMS field.
- Certificate courses in Aircraft Accident Investigation and Aviation Human Factors
QUALIFICATIONS
- Certificate course in Safety Management System (SMS); and
- Certificate course in Aviation Auditor qualification; or equivalent experience as a Safety Manager in a comparable operation.
- Aircraft Accident Investigation and Aviation Human Factors certificates are advantageous.