Safety and Standards Manager

About the role

The Safety and Standards Manager supports the Deputy Director in delivering contracted aviation services in Kuwait, ensuring compliance with the Integrated Management System (IMS) and ICAO safety standards. The role leads the Safety Management System (SMS) and drives a strong safety culture across the operation.

Key responsibilities

• Implement and maintain the Safety Management System (SMS) and related processes.
• Develop and run a Risk Management Process to identify hazards and mitigate risks.
• Escalate safety issues to the Deputy Director and ensure timely resolution.
• Manage continuous improvement within the SMS framework to stay compliant with legislation and ICAO requirements.
• Assess, validate, and update procedures to uphold the highest safety standards.
• Create safety performance indicators and report on SMS effectiveness.
• Maintain hazard logs, risk registers, and oversee change‑management for safety‑critical activities.
• Promote a positive safety culture through education, awareness programs, and training.
• Coordinate safety audits, inspections, and supplier compliance activities.
• Participate in national and international safety meetings and interpret new legislation impacts.
• Run a confidential safety reporting scheme and communicate safety messages throughout the workforce.

Required profile

• Degree level education or equivalent with operational experience, preferably in the Middle East.
• Significant leadership experience in an Air Navigation Services (ANS) environment.
• Proven experience developing and managing Quality and Safety Management Systems (QMS/SMS) in aviation.

Required skills

• Safety Management System (SMS) implementation
• Risk Management
• Change Management
• Safety Auditing
• ICAO Annex 19 compliance
• ICAO Doc 9859 knowledge