Manager - Airport Operations Safety Management System

Chicago, Illinois April 16, 2026 Full Time
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Description

At United, we fly into airports around the entire world. And we need a whole team of people to keep things running in tip-top shape! From the exceptional service at the check-in counter to the departure gate, and even behind the scenes making sure your checked bags arrive with you, our Airport Operations team keeps operations at our airports running smoothly every single day.

Job overview and responsibilities

The Airport Operations (AO) Safety Management System (SMS) Manager is responsible for facilitating, advising, and training Safety Risk Management (SRM) for AO Operations ground safety. Additionally, the SMS Manager will liaise with other United Airlines' divisions as a safety subject matter expert pertaining to projects, processes, procedures, and safety/regulatory items. This role will regularly engage with senior levels of leadership and will require a level of comfort in having complex discourse at an Executive level.

  • Facilitate Safety Risk Management (SRM) hazard identification and risk assessments with Airport Operations and other internal divisions
  • Develop, coordinate, and lead divisional Safety Action Team (SAT) and Safety Round Table (SRT) meetings
  • Represent AO for various Corporate SMS/safety development and strategy meetings (USAT, ISRT, Other Division SRTs)
  • Summarize and report Airport Operations' SMS updates to Executive leadership
  • Safety Assurance: Analyze, prioritize, and audit documented risk assessments to ensure mitigation plans have been completed
  • Identify and ensure division SMS leadership and frontline training needs are met to ensure compliance with 14 CFR Part 5

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

 

  • Bachelor's degree or 4 years of relevant work experience
  • MITRE SMS Principles Certification
  • Working knowledge of aviation industry
  • 3+ years of Aviation SMS experience
  • A track record of leading multiple parties through difficult conversations
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Strong presentation and facilitation skills
  • Project management
  • Time management
  • Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
  • Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
  • Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

 

 

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

 

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Knowledge of airport and catering operations
  • 4-5 years of Aviation SMS experience
  • Experience with navigating the ETQ database
  • Mediation experience
  • History of holding others accountable to safety commitments
  • Ability to identify, analyze and communicate key metrics that determine the health and development of an SMS culture
  • United SMS Comprehensive Training, OSHA 10/30 or 511
  • CAPA tracking and reporting tools 

The base pay range for this role is $102,220.00 to $133,194.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [email protected]
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