Deputy Director - Safety, Standards, Quality & Environment ​- Kuwait

Closing Date: 3 July 2026

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2 million flights each year. It provides air traffic control services, as well as a wide range of commercial solutions in over 30 countries internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.  

Role Purpose 

This role is accountable for the promotion and implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS) within the operations directorate for the provision of independent oversight to provide assurance that Safety, Quality and Environmental accountabilities and standards are being met, maintained, and improved in relation to operational services. 

Key Accountabilities 

• Lead, develop and implement the strategy to provide independent Safety, Quality & Environmental assurance oversight including investigations, advice, and escalation of potential issues to the Delivery Director. 

• Ensure that safety, quality and environmental capabilities and leadership are developed across the operation. Promote continuous improvement by evolving the operation through lessons learned internally and adopting relevant industry best practices.  

• Delivery of the required actions and plans to ensure that the safety, quality, and environmental requirements for certification from regulatory authorities are met. This includes preparation for ISO 9001, 10002 and 14001 certifications. 

• Accountable for the provision of independent oversight and assurance across all Operational functions with relation to the IMS. This includes oversight and assurance of all aspects of Safety, Quality or Environmental Training. 

• Provide independent oversight and leadership to ensure that the performance and effectiveness of the IMS throughout the Operation is appropriate to meet all regulatory requirements. 

• Develop suitable performance indicators to measure and report on the performance of the IMS to the Delivery Director.  

• Responsible for preparing reports on the performance of the IMS for external bodies such as customers and regulators as required. 

• Facilitate Change Management processes to meet Operational requirements. 

• Create workplace conditions that deliver a competent, energetic, engaged, and motivated workforce who are committed and aligned to the delivery outcomes. 

• Work as an integral member of the on-site NATS leadership team, providing mutual support as required to ensure positive teamwork and clear communications to all stakeholders. 

• The ability to substitute on behalf of other members of the On-site Leadership Team as required. 

Qualifications, Skills and Personal Attributes 

• Minimum of 10 years operational experience in a Safety leadership role.  

• The role holder should ideally be educated to degree level/equivalent. 

• An accomplished, credible, and respected leader. Proven leadership skills in a customer focussed, dynamic and changing environment. Comfortable leading and managing through uncertainty and ambiguity; adapting to varying requirements and flexible in approach to resolving challenges. 

• Proven skills in all facets of strategy development, stakeholder management & change management. 

• Proactive and tenacious approach with the skills to cope with a range of situations that require facilitation, influencing, conflict handling and negotiation; able to take people with them. Ability to quickly form strong relationships across a wide cross section of stakeholders (internal and external); encourages open and honest debate with stakeholders even on difficult issues. 

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to personal and team objectives, seeking to continuously improve the status quo. Ability to coach, motivate, build teams, and develop others to maximise their contribution and performance. Able to drive and exhibit strong collegiate behaviours across Operations – brings One Operation to life in everything that they say or do. Highly motivated and well organised with a proven record of accomplishment of delivery. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively deliver key messages and strategic vision. Proven skills in making the complex simple.  

• Arabic speaker preferable. 

• Extensive experience and understanding of an ATS (Air Traffic Service) operating environment and the role of people, process, airspace, and technology. Middle East experience preferable. 

• A comprehensive understanding of operational safety within an Aviation Safety Management System including Safety Assurance, Risk Management, Safety Responsibility and Safety Promotion. 

• A comprehensive understanding of Quality Management Systems, specifically managing the ISO 9001, ISO 10002 certification process. 

• A comprehensive understanding of Environmental Management Systems and managing the ISO 14001 certification process. 

Additional Vacancy Information