Manager Safety Assurance

NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE 

Lead the team responsible for providing Safety Assurance to ensure that NATS En-Route Centres achieves their Safety Objectives and proactively addresses its key safety risks. Work with the wider NATS community to ensure the successful development and delivery of safety objectives. 

This role reports to the Head of Operational Assurance and works extensively across the Operations Directorate, as well as working closely with other NATS functions including operational Service Delivery at the Swanwick and Prestwick Centres, the corporate Safety & Sustainability function  and the Capital Programmes and Transformation function in the provision of assurance oversight for steady state and change assurance. 

Principle Accountabilities 

PEOPLE LEADERSHIP 

• Provide clear leadership to the En-Route Safety Assurance team, developing and inspiring people to work together in achievement of objectives. Actively manage individual and team performance ensuring that targets are visible and understood. 

• Proactively support and challenge members of the NATS Operations management team and other senior managers on safety, safety performance and quality. Contribute significantly to the objectives of the centres. 

• Work closely with the Safety Performance and Investigations team, Centres Safety Improvement Team (CSIT) and Ops Standard team and support as required. 

• Act as deputy to Head of Operations Assurance as required. 

SAFETY ASSURANCE 

• Ensure that documented assurance is in place to confirm that the safety and integrity of the NATS Swanwick and Prestwick operational systems are maintained throughout their in-service lifecycle and that any changes to the systems’ baseline meet the appropriate safety and regulatory requirements necessary to demonstrate compliance with the NATS Safety Management Manual for provision of a safe Air Traffic Service. 

• Maintain and monitor the application of NATS Safety Management system. Ensure that any new systems and procedures introduced into operation are subject to full safety assurance and acceptance processes and can be operated safely by the human element of the system. 

• Ensure that the Centres safety cases are up to date and provides a clear and accurate picture of safety risk on the unit. 

• Manage specific operational assurance activities within Swanwick and Prestwick operations as may be required following operational feedback, observation or as requested by the Operations Director, Director Operations Safety, Director PC/SWN Service Delivery or Head of Operations Assurance. 

SAFETY PERFORMANCE 

• Provide a clear and accurate picture of safety risk and performance levels on the centres and ensure effective monitoring processes are in place. Identifying and implementing recommendations which manage risk. Working across NATS teams to promote, develop and encourage a ‘just culture’ of trust that supports open reporting and lesson learning. 

SAFETY IMPROVEMENT 

• Work closely with Operational, engineering and project teams along with key external stakeholders such as Safety Services, and Operations Safety to facilitate the delivery of safety plans that focuses on unit key issues and reduces risk. 

COMMUNICATIONS 

• Ensure the effective communication of safety and quality assurance information with operational / engineering / project teams and other key stakeholders such as Safety Services and the regulator. 

• Support the briefing of the Operations En-Route Leadership Team and external/ internal stakeholders as appropriate (CAA SARG// Operations safety // Safety Services//NERL and Airports // Military// Safety teams) such that the safety assurance argument and quality assurance function, are understood. 

ONE OPERATION 

• Continue to adopt a ‘unified’ operating model that is characterised by the use of standardised processes that are integrated, and aligned, across the operation, including collaboration with Manager of Airports Assurance. Develop standardised processes for resilience, safety assurance and investigations across the Centres and Airports. 

• Play a key role at a corporate level in delivering a single Unit / Centres safety case and other safety activities. 

Qualifications and Skills 

• An experienced safety leader with a proven track record of delivering safety benefit and achievement in leadership. A thorough understanding of the key principles and components of a Safety Management System and experience of working with a Safety Regulator. A demonstrable aptitude for analysis together with a strong appreciation of human performance issues in air traffic operations. 

• A thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of safety assessments and of safety case construction. 

• A key capability will be enrolling and engagement of non-safety personnel in the proactive identification of safety risks and challenges and providing the necessary leadership to solve these problems, the ability to influence, not just in NATS but with external organisations. A core requirement is therefore the ability to communicate effectively in both aural and written form. 

• The ability to offer practical solutions to problems and to prioritise issues, making balanced decisions based upon requirements and who consistently applies sound and appropriate judgement. 

• Must have a sound understanding of safety improvement activity and how investigations play their part in supporting safety improvement for the operation. 

• The ability to deal with sensitive issues in a confidential manner, working effectively with staff and management both within NATS and external agencies, including NTUS. 

• The ability to manage and provide motivation, encouragement and leadership to a team. 

• The ability to work autonomously and also in close co-operation with team members. 

• The ability and willingness to meet strict deadlines and to react with flexibility to changes in business direction. 

• The ability and willingness to conduct travel within the UK and abroad when required. 

• Demonstrate an enthusiastic and proactive attitude and present complex material clearly and concisely. 

• Highly motivated with a strong commitment to the attainment of business and personal goals. Confidence in acting as a safety conscience and whose own stand for safety is robust and clear.