Head of Safety and Assurance

Salary: Up to £123,093 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

In accordance with the CAA Strategic Plan and Values & Behaviours, lead and direct the Safety & Assurance team (formerly the Safety team in Safety & Business Delivery).

The role holder will also:

• Lead the development, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the CAA State Safety Programme (SSP), a portion of the UK SSP, including the CAA/Regulatory Safety Management System (RSMS) and the CAA Compliance Monitoring function, including the SARG 2nd Line of Defence function and ISO 9001 accreditation management – SARG Critical Element 8 Owner and Critical Element 7 (Internal) Owner.
• Reporting to the Group Director Safety & Airspace Regulation Group (GD SARG), collaborate with SARG Executive Committee (ExCo) and SARG and CAA Leadership 50 (L50) members to support the GD SARG on the safety risk and regulatory compliance management of the CAA.
• Lead and implement the safety strategy, including the framework to manage and coordinate the National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) as the strategic platform for CAA safety objectives.

Core Accountabilities

• Provide inspirational and effective leadership, as member of the CAA L50, to the Safety & Assurance team.
• Lead the day-to-day activities and functions of the safety risk management and compliance monitoring functions, working closely with the SARG L50, Shared Services Centre (SSC), CAA International (CAAi) Leadership Teams and other CAA teams.
• Chair the Safety & Assurance Governance Group (SAGG).
• Lead the coordination and delivery of the safety and quality governance framework, including the Safety Risk Committee (SRC), Safety Leadership Group (SLG) and Quality Management System (QMS) Management Review.
• Act as the SARG focal point for safety risk management, compliance monitoring and ISO 9001 QMS.
• Lead on the engagement with the Department for Transport (DfT) Aviation Safety team and other UK SSP partners on the UK SSP, including the State Safety Board (SSB), National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP), Regional Aviation Safety Plan (RASP) and Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP).
• Lead the Safety & Assurance team through objectives, defined activities and actions required to establish and maintain full alignment of ICAO Annex 19, the SSP and RSMS.

Decision Making

• Responsible for leading the decision-making process on changes to the RSMS and safety governance through coordinating change recommendations to the GD SARG for decision.
• Responsible for agreeing and setting the international engagement programme including travel for ICAO Annex 19 related working groups, conferences and training.
• Formulate strategies and recommendations to resolve safety and compliance related problems raised by SARG teams.
• Setting the agenda for the SAGG and inputting to the agendas for the SRC and SLG.

Influencing

• Worldwide influence with ICAO, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other National Aviation Authorities (NAA) on the subject of safety risk management and compliance monitoring.
• Influencing of DfT and other UK SSP partners with best practice gained through CAA development and operational experience.
• Developing and nurturing a working relationship with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).
• Influencing of SARG Colleagues at all levels to engage and operate within the RSMS framework.
• Promote and support activities that create/increase awareness, understanding and ownership of safety and compliance responsibilities.
• Develop the team’s approach and ways of working to a business partnering model and encourage better facilitation, collaboration and cooperation with all SARG teams.

Management

• Management of a combined team of around 40 colleagues, largely technical specialists in the fields of safety risk management, compliance monitoring, data intelligence and other niche specialisms.
• Budget management of circa £2.8m.
• Organise, conduct and/or participate in seminars, workshops, meetings training to assist CAA Teams and/or regulated entities.

About You

• Aviation experience at a senior operational level within Safety.
• Proven leadership experience in safety management within a complex operational arrangement.
• Demonstrable experience of implementing safety risk management framework in innovate or novel operations or with new product/technology.
• Experience in strategy development, implementation and management with particular regard to management systems.
• Diplomacy and tact being aware and sensitive to colleague and stakeholder variances and needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to engage Colleagues at all levels across multiple disciplines.
• Able to make clear decisions and solve complex problems.
• Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues up to Board level, and to review and amend the work of others.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Sunday 7th June 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 22nd or 29th June 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.