SMS Manager

Job Purpose:The SMS Manager is responsible for leading, governing, and continuously improving Tibah Airports' Safety Management System in accordance with applicable GACA regulations, ICAO requirements, company policies, and recognized aviation safety practices. The SMS Manager leads the implementation of the four SMS pillars, oversees safety assurance and performance, manages the SMS team and associated resources, and provides management with reliable safety information to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Job Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the organization's Safety Management SystemEstablish and maintain SMS policies, procedures, manuals, standards, and governance frameworks in alignment with GACA regulations, ICAO requirements, and company policiesTranslate organizational safety objectives into departmental plans, priorities, initiatives, and measurable performance targetsEnsure effective implementation and integration of the four SMS pillars: Safety Policy & Objectives, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety PromotionPeriodically review the effectiveness and maturity of the SMS and recommend improvements to senior managementLead the organization's hazard identification and safety risk management processesEnsure appropriate methodologies are applied for risk identification, assessment, mitigation, acceptance, and escalationOversee the organizational safety risk register and ensure identified risks, mitigations, responsible parties, and target dates are appropriately maintainedReview and challenge significant safety risk assessments and ensure appropriate controls are established before risk acceptanceEnsure safety risks arising from operational, organizational, procedural, infrastructure, or system changes are properly assessed through the Management of Change processEscalate significant or unacceptable safety risks to the appropriate management levelEstablish, monitor, and continuously enhance Safety Performance Indicators, Safety Performance Targets, and other safety performance measuresGovern the organization's safety reporting and occurrence reporting processesEnsure significant incidents and occurrences are appropriately investigated, documented, classified, and communicatedLead or oversee major safety investigations and root-cause analysesEnsure corrective and preventive actions resulting from investigations are appropriate, assigned, monitored, and closed within agreed timelinesIdentify recurring or systemic causes and recommend organization-wide preventive actionsAct as a key organizational focal point for SMS-related regulatory and oversight mattersMaintain awareness of applicable GACA regulations, ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, and other relevant safety requirementsCoordinate and support GACA, regulatory, certification, and external SMS audits and inspectionsEnsure regulatory findings, observations, corrective action plans, and commitments are appropriately managed and closedAssess regulatory changes and ensure corresponding SMS policies, procedures, and practices are updatedWork closely with Operations, Facility Management, Security, ARFF, Commercial, and other relevant departments to ensure safety requirements are integrated into organizational activitiesEnsure effective coordination of safety responsibilities across departmental boundariesParticipate in operational and management committees where safety input or decision-making is requiredSupport safety assessments associated with new projects, infrastructure, operational changes, contractors, and major initiativesCoordinate SMS requirements with relevant external stakeholders, service providers, contractors, and airport partners where applicableSupport the development, review, and continuous improvement of emergency response and crisis management arrangementsLead, supervise, coach, and develop employees within the SMS functionSet individual and departmental objectives and monitor performance against agreed targetsPrepare and manage the department's operating requirements and budget, where applicableMonitor departmental plans, projects, initiatives, and expenditure and take corrective action where requiredPrepare and present periodic SMS reports, dashboards, risk profiles, trends, and recommendations to senior leadershipEnsure significant safety risks and compliance concerns are communicated and escalated to management in a timely mannerProvide management with appropriate analysis and recommendations to facilitate safety-related decisionsMaintain accurate and auditable records of SMS activities, decisions, risk assessments, investigations, and management reviewsMaintain the confidentiality and integrity of safety information and recordsEnsure appropriate documentation control for SMS manuals, procedures, registers, and recordsPerform other related responsibilities assigned by the line manager in support of organizational objectivesRequirementsEducation requirements: Bachelor's degree in Aviation Management, Safety Management, Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, or a related fieldMaster's degree is preferredCertification Requirements: Recognized SMS/Safety Management certification or equivalent professional trainingRelevant certification or training in Safety Risk Management, Incident Investigation, Root Cause Analysis, or Aviation Safety is preferredDemonstrated knowledge of applicable GACA regulations, ICAO Annex 19, and ICAO Safety Management principlesExperience: Minimum 8 years' experience in in safety management, risk management, or a related discipline; prior SMS implementation experience preferredWith at least 3 years in a leadership roleLanguages: Fluent in ArabicProfessional in English

Technical Skills

Safety risk assessment methodologies Incident/safety management software Data analysis and trend reporting Knowledge of applicable regulatory/compliance frameworksAudit and inspection techniquesDocument control and SMS manual managementProficiency in MS Office / reporting and presentation tools