The Role The Air Combat Group (ACG) - Safety Manager provides the critical workforce, aviation, and organisational safety oversight required to support Commander ACG in the delivery of safe and effective air power. The position leads the coordination, governance, and assurance of Work Health and Safety (WHS) and the Aviation Safety Management System (ASMS) across ACG, ensuring personnel, aircraft, infrastructure, and operational activities are managed within acceptable risk tolerances. By maintaining robust safety systems and promoting a proactive safety culture, the role directly contributes to aircraft availability, workforce readiness, mission assurance, and the sustained delivery of operational capability.

The position also ensures ACG meets Defence aviation safety obligations and complies with WHS legislation, Defence aviation safety policy, and applicable regulatory frameworks.

Through the oversight of hazard identification, risk management, safety investigations, and corrective action implementation, the Director Safety plays a key role in protecting ACG’s flying and ground operations, preserving airworthiness, enhancing operational preparedness, and driving continuous improvement across the Group. The role provides strategic safety leadership, ensuring lessons identified are translated into enduring improvements that strengthen both safety performance and operational effectiveness.

About our Team The ACG Safety Manager leads a dedicated team of seven permanent and part time Air Force personnel based within Headquarters Air Combat Group. As part of a headquarters workforce of approximately 150 personnel, the team delivers specialist safety advice, governance, and support to Air Combat Group's Formation Element Group, influencing safety outcomes across a workforce of more than 2,200 personnel.





Our Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be a highly experienced safety professional with a strong background in Work Health and Safety (WHS), aviation safety, and safety management systems within a complex operational environment. They will demonstrate the ability to provide strategic safety advice to senior leaders, lead and develop a small team, and influence safety outcomes across a diverse and geographically dispersed organisation.

The successful applicant will possess excellent judgement, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, with a proven ability to identify emerging risks, drive continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with Defence safety policies, regulatory requirements, and aviation safety obligations. They will be committed to fostering a positive safety culture that supports operational readiness, airworthiness, workforce wellbeing, and the effective delivery of air power.

Desirable Attributes and Experience

- Proven experience leading and developing safety teams, including managing performance, mentoring personnel, and fostering a strong safety culture.
- Extensive knowledge of WHS legislation, Safety policies, Aviation Safety Management Systems (ASMS), and risk management principles.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic safety advice to senior leaders on complex workforce, organisational, and aviation safety matters.
- Experience in hazard identification, risk assessment, safety investigations, and the implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence outcomes across multiple levels of command and functional areas.
- Experience within aviation, or another high-risk operational environment where safety is critical to capability, readiness, and mission success.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

📌 ACG Safety Manager (Australia)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Australia