Manager, Operational Safety

Vancouver, BC

Position overview

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the airport's Operational Safety Program, setting direction, priorities, and initiatives that strengthen safety performance across airport operations.
• Lead and influence cross-functional stakeholders, including airlines, regulators, contractors, and operational partners, to foster a strong and collaborative safety culture.
• Champion proactive risk management, ensuring operational risks are identified, assessed, and effectively mitigated to support safe and resilient operations.
• Drive continuous improvement by using safety data, performance metrics, and industry best practices to strengthen operational safety outcomes.
• Lead safety investigations and organizational learning, ensuring incidents are thoroughly reviewed, corrective actions are implemented, and lessons learned are embedded across the airport.
• Provide oversight of safety assurance activities, including audits, inspections, compliance monitoring, and operational readiness reviews, to maintain high standards of safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and mentor safety professionals and operational leaders, building capability, accountability, and engagement in support of a world-class safety culture.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in an operational or safety-critical aviation environment, supported by a bachelor’s degree in aviation management, Aviation Safety, Aerospace, Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of people leadership experience, with a proven ability to coach and develop high-performing teams, set strategic priorities, allocate resources effectively, manage performance, and successfully lead teams through change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Leadership experience in a complex, highly regulated operational environment, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive results.
• Demonstrated experience implementing and continuously improving Safety Management Systems (SMS).
• Strong background in operational risk management, including risk assessments, change management, and mitigation strategies.
• Experience leading or overseeing incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action programs.
• Proven expertise in safety assurance, including audits, inspections, compliance monitoring, and operational readiness reviews.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across operational teams, regulators, airlines, and external partners.
• Experience using safety data, analytics, and performance metrics to inform decisions, improve safety outcomes, and communicate insights to leadership.
• Sound knowledge of aviation regulations, standards, and industry best practices.
• Although not required, French language skills are an asset as we are committed to providing bilingual services to our visitors and passengers.
• This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.
• As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range

• $105,680 to $158,520 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 15% of your annual salary At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits

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