Senior Advisor - Safety Risk Management

Overview of the role:
WestJet is seeking a Senior Advisor - Safety Risk Management. This role provides timely, evidence-based safety risk insight to operational leaders across the WestJet Group, supporting informed decision-making during periods of operational change, complexity, or elevated risk exposure.
Reporting within Group Safety, this role provides technical leadership for the Safety Risk Management (SRM) program, ensuring a consistent approach to hazard identification, risk assessment, mitigation, and safety assurance across the organization. Working with a network-wide perspective, the Sr. Advisor leads complex risk assessments, monitors operational safety performance, and partners with stakeholders to strengthen safety outcomes and operational resilience.
This position requires travel across the WestJet network approximately one to two times per quarter to support operational engagement, safety assessments, governance activities, and stakeholder collaboration.

Key deliverables include:
Safety Risk Management

Lead and facilitate complex safety risk assessments related to operational changes, emerging hazards, and cross-functional initiatives.
Identify hazards, evaluate risk exposure, assess control effectiveness, and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
Ensure risks, controls, mitigations, and risk acceptance decisions are documented and maintained in accordance with SMS requirements.

Risk Monitoring & Analysis

Monitor safety performance, operational trends, occurrence data, audit findings, and other risk indicators to identify emerging or elevated safety risks.
Conduct Safety Issue Assessments and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding risk mitigation, escalation, or acceptance.
Analyze operational data and trends to identify opportunities to strengthen controls and improve safety performance.

Safety Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

Lead and support safety governance activities, including facilitating discussions and presenting risk insights to operational leadership.
Build strong partnerships across operational teams and service providers to promote proactive safety risk management and continuous improvement.
Provide technical guidance and coaching to Safety Risk Management Advisors and support the ongoing effectiveness of the SRM program and Safety Management System.

Experience and qualifications:

Minimum 5 of experience in aviation safety, operational risk management, airport operations, or a related operational environment.
Post-secondary education in Aviation Safety Management, Safety Engineering, Human Factors, Risk Management, or a related discipline.
Industry-recognized Safety Management System (SMS) training.
Strong knowledge of ICAO Safety Management Manual (SMM), IOSA requirements, ISARPs, and aviation safety best practices.
Experience conducting safety risk assessments, analyzing operational data, and presenting recommendations to operational leaders.
Experience with Bowtie analysis or other risk modelling methodologies is considered an asset.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building abilities.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Ability to influence and collaborate across diverse operational groups.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, safety management systems, and data analysis tools.