JOB PURPOSE
Senior Manager, Aviation Safety & Compliance leads the airport’s Safety Management System (SMS), compliance and assurance programs, serving as the CAAV safety focal point and SMS Postholder. The role provides independent oversight, risk assurance and regulatory compliance guidance to support safe and efficient airport operations.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
A. Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) & Assurance
- Act as the designated SMS Postholder under Article 61 and maintain all responsibilities associated with the role.
- Develop, implement, maintain and continuously improve the Airport Safety Management System (SMS).
- Establish and maintain safety policies, procedures, reporting mechanisms and safety governance frameworks.
- Lead safety assurance activities including audits, inspections, safety performance monitoring and management reviews.
- Establish and maintain safety performance indicators, safety objectives and safety reporting systems.
- Promote a proactive safety culture and Just Culture principles across the airport, ensuring protection of safety information and voluntary reporting in accordance with ICAO Annex 19.
- Provide independent safety assurance to the Head of Airport and airport governance forums regarding the effectiveness of the Safety Management System
- Establish and maintain occurrence reporting systems, including mandatory and voluntary reporting programmes, ensuring compliance with safety data protection and Just Culture principles.
B. Compliance Monitoring, Investigation & Regulatory Oversight
- Establish and maintain the airport compliance monitoring programme covering ICAO requirements, CAAV regulations, A08 requirements, Aerodrome Certificate conditions, operational procedures and Aviation Security Programme implementation.
- Conduct independent compliance monitoring and assurance activities as the airport’s second line of defence.
- Monitor regulatory developments and ensure airport management is informed of emerging obligations.
- Lead significant aviation safety investigations and maintain investigation methodology, standards and governance processes.
- Provide oversight of occurrence investigation processes conducted by operational departments.
- Coordinate and oversee airport responses to regulatory inspections, audits and oversight activities conducted by CAAV, Airport Authority (Cảng vụ Hàng không), A08 and other competent authorities.
- Maintain regulatory registers, compliance obligations and corrective action tracking processes.
- Ensure timely submission of mandatory safety reports and occurrence notifications to CAAV, the Airport Authority (Cảng vụ Hàng không) and other competent authorities as required.
- Monitor implementation of corrective actions arising from regulatory inspections, internal audits, occurrence investigations and safety reviews to ensure timely closure and sustained compliance.
C. Aviation Security Monitoring, Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership
- Monitor implementation of the Airport Aviation Security Programme and provide independent assurance regarding compliance with applicable security requirements.
- Act as the airport focal point for Aviation Security Programme (ANHK) compliance monitoring and liaison with A08 and relevant government authorities.
- Coordinate security-related compliance monitoring and reporting activities.
- Lead the Aviation Safety & Compliance team and support the development of departmental capability.
- Provide executive oversight of occupational safety and health governance arrangements, including statutory reporting, OSH management systems, workplace safety monitoring and compliance with applicable labour safety legislation.
- Support ORAT, operational readiness and airport mobilisation activities from a safety and compliance assurance perspective.
- Prepare reports, risk assessments and assurance updates for executive management, governance forums and regulatory authorities.
- Support development of the future-state Aviation Safety & Compliance function as airport operations expand.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
A. Qualification
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aviation Management, Aviation Safety, Airport Operations, Engineering, Risk Management or a related discipline.
B. Work Experience
- 10 years of experience in aviation safety, airport operations, regulatory compliance or a related aviation environment.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience within a regulated aviation environment.
- At least 5 years of continuous service at an international airport in flight operations management, airport operations management or aviation safety (per Clause 3, Article 61 of the Decree on Airports and Airfields)
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and managing ICAO-compliant Safety Management Systems (SMS).
- Experience supporting aerodrome certification, regulatory oversight activities and compliance assurance programmes.
- Experience engaging directly with aviation regulators and government authorities.
- Experience in aviation safety, airport operations management or flight operations management consistent with Article 61 requirements.
- Strong understanding of Civil Aviation Law 130/2025, the Decree on Airports and Airfields, Circular 14/2026/TT-BCA, ICAO Annexes and airport regulatory frameworks.
C. Certification & Licenses
- Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) certification or equivalent.
- Lead Auditor qualification preferred.
- Aviation Occurrence Investigation qualification preferred.
- ICAO, IATA or equivalent aviation safety qualifications desirable.
- English language proficiency required.
- Vietnamese language proficiency required