Job Description

Job Objective

The FDM & SMS Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance of the Safety Management System (SMS), the Safety Assurance Program, and all safety and risk-management functions across flight operations. The role supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the SMS to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and alignment with organisational policies.

Job Specific Accountabilities

Main Responsibilities – Safety

• Manage the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of flight data from rotary-wing operations.

• Develop, implement, and maintain a compliant and effective Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) programme.

• Identify operational risks and trends through flight-data analysis and recommend mitigation strategies.

• Assess SMS effectiveness and alignment with organisational safety objectives.

• Conduct regular safety and quality audits in coordination with the Quality Department.

• Facilitate hazard identification and risk assessments across all operational activities.

• Oversee the management, tracking, and closure of safety reports.

• Lead accident and incident investigations and produce required documentation and action plans.

• Coordinate occurrence and hazard investigations.

• Lead development of Safety Cases and identify priority risk-control areas.

• Support maintenance and administration of the organisation’s Hazard/Risk Register.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented safety-risk controls.

• Track corrective and preventive actions and assess their effectiveness.

• Support development and maintenance of safety programmes across bases and operational deployments.

• Promote safety awareness and engagement throughout the organisation.

• Provide analysis and reporting on SMS performance.

• Participate in management meetings related to SMS adequacy and performance.

• Participate in regular safety meetings, ensuring proper documentation of minutes and action tracking.

• Support other safety managers as required.

• Provide regular SMS performance updates to the Director of Safety.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with organisational Safety and Quality policies and core values.

• Foster a “just and learning” culture through appropriate leadership responses to occurrences.

• Develop and sustain a strong safety culture across all departments.

• Monitor staff performance, conduct appraisals, and provide coaching/training where needed.

• Maintain disciplined management of safety priorities, task deadlines, and performance delivery.

• Mentor and support professional development for safety-team personnel.

• Ensure all outputs meet required quality and timeliness standards.

• Maintain confidentiality of all operational and safety-related information.

• Provide open and constructive feedback regarding leadership commitment to SMS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation, Aerospace Engineering, Data Science, or a related field.

• Training in at least one of the following areas:

  • Safety Management Systems

  • Safety Risk Management

  • Emergency Response Planning / Crisis Management

  • Quality Management Systems

  • Audit Techniques

  • Human Factors

  • Accident Investigation

Experience & Skills

• 7+ years’ experience in the aviation industry, including a minimum of two years in a relevant operational field.

• 3+ years’ experience in SMS implementation and improvement.

• Strong technical background supporting understanding of operational systems.

• Experience conducting safety and quality audits/inspections.

• Strong knowledge of aviation safety standards, safety investigations, and regulatory frameworks.

• Experience in aircraft accident investigation.

• Strong data-analysis and reporting capability.

• Understanding of human-factors principles.

• Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, and project-management skills.

• Must not be part of any other operational or regulated system within the organisation.