Safety Assurance Director

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Job Description:

Parsons are looking for a highly experienced and motivated Safety Assurance Director (Rail). You will be responsible for establishing, leading, and continually improving the rail safety assurance framework across the organization. This role ensures that rail operations, projects, and assets comply with all applicable safety legislation, standards, and internal policies, and that safety risks are systematically identified, assessed, controlled, and monitored throughout the asset lifecycle.

The post-holder will act as the senior subject matter expert for rail safety assurance, providing strategic direction, governance, and oversight to ensure that safety is embedded in operational decision-making and project delivery.

What You'll Be Doing;

• Develop and maintain the organization’s rail safety assurance strategy, policies, and management systems in alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Define and oversee the safety assurance framework for operations, maintenance, and capital projects, including upgrades, renewals, and new lines.
• Chair and/or participate in executive safety committees, safety review boards, and technical assurance panels.
• Provide regular assurance reports and safety performance insights to the executive team and board.
• Design and implement safety assurance processes, including hazard identification, risk assessment, safety case development, and change control.
• Ensure that safety requirements are captured, traceable, and verified across the system lifecycle (design, construction, testing, commissioning, operations, and decommissioning).
• Lead the development and maintenance of safety cases and supporting documentation for rail infrastructure, rolling stock, signalling, and supporting systems.
• Oversee the application of systems engineering and safety methodologies within projects and operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant rail safety legislation, standards, and regulatory guidance.
• Act as primary point of contact with safety regulators, accreditation bodies, and other external stakeholders on safety assurance matters.
• Coordinate regulatory submissions, approvals, licenses, and certifications, including preparation and defence of safety cases and technical dossiers.
• Monitor changes in regulation and standards, assess impact, and lead implementation of necessary changes.
• Provide assurance that rail operations and maintenance activities are conducted safely and in line with approved processes and risk controls.
• Oversee the safety assurance of timetable changes, new routes, new/modified rolling stock, signalling changes, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Ensure robust management of operational risk, including safety risk assessments, route risk assessments, and safety validation of operational changes.
• Review and approve safety-related operational procedures, rules, and instructions.
• Provide independent safety assurance for rail projects, including major renewals, enhancements, and new developments.
• Ensure that project safety risks are systematically managed and that safety is integrated into design decisions and procurement specifications.
• Oversee safety verification and validation activities, including testing, commissioning, and entry-into-service readiness reviews.
• Lead or sponsor independent safety audits, peer reviews, and technical assessments of critical systems
• Oversee the investigation and analysis of significant incidents, near misses, and safety-related events, ensuring that root causes are identified and addressed.
• Ensure that lessons learned are captured, communicated, and embedded into processes, training, and standards.
• Develop and manage a risk-based safety audit and inspection program; ensure findings are addressed and tracked to closure.
• Drive continual improvement in safety performance, culture, and competence across the organization.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Safety Assurance team and related functions.
• Promote a positive safety culture, encouraging openness, reporting, and learning, and discouraging blame.
• Mentor and develop safety professionals, building internal capability in rail safety assurance and systems safety.
• Influence senior leaders and stakeholders to integrate safety considerations into strategic and operational decisions.

What You'll Bring;

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Rail Technology, or a related discipline
• At least 20 years experience in rail safety, safety assurance, systems safety, or related fields within rail or mass transit environments.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and managing safety cases, safety management systems, and assurance frameworks for rail operations or projects.
• Strong knowledge of rail safety legislation and standards in KSA
• Proven experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Track record of managing safety assurance for complex rail systems

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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