Director, Environmental, Health & Safety

As infrastructure critical to the region’s growth and prosperity, Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) is a vital asset for Middle Tennessee and serves as a gateway to Music City and beyond. The State of Tennessee’s 2025 Economic Impact Study reports that in 2024 alone, BNA generated $13.8 billion in total economic impact, supported 80,000 jobs and contributed to $2.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes. BNA receives no local tax dollars.

About the role

The Director, Environmental, Health, and Safety will oversee the Airport's Safety Management Systems (SMS) program, policies, practices and key performance indicators in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and Advisory Circulars (ACs), as well as occupational health safety for MNAA (OSHA/TOSHA) compliance and programs as well as the Authority's Environmental team, responsible for all environmental programs, policies, practices, and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, including EPA and TDEC.

Responsibilities

• Creates, manages, and maintains a Safety Management Systems Program:
  • Exercises independent judgement to troubleshoot and mitigate multifaceted/multijurisdictional safety concerns and evaluate accidents/incidents.
  • Ensures compliance with existing Safety controls throughout the airport system, identifies and creates new Safety controls at construction sites and by airfield stakeholders.
  • Triages, collects, manages, and evaluates airfield hazards, incidents/accidents, near misses, issues and practices.
  • Prepares Root Cause analysis reports of accidents.
  • Develops mitigation and corrective action plans for identified hazards and root causes and coordinate and monitor maintenance response and mitigations with necessary stakeholders.
  • Attends stakeholder safety meetings and present recap of safety incidents.
  • Responds to airfield incidents, evaluates effectiveness of safety reporting measures, coordinates effective mitigation measures, supports and attend risk assessments.
• Provides leadership and works with staff to create a high performance, service-oriented work environment that supports the Nashville airport experience.
• Develops, coaches, mentors and oversees professional development opportunities for staff’s continuous education and growth.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Authority's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, coaching/mentoring staff, planning and directing work, appraising performance, termination recommendations and resolving problems.
• Makes recommendations for improvements to stakeholder safety programs.
• Manages coordination of construction projects, construction safety phasing, project proposal summaries and ensures accurate and complete submittal of documentation to FAA, EPA, TDEC, OSHA, TOSHA, and other required agencies.
• Supports Safety Training awareness efforts, review safety curriculum, support safety communications, alerts and notifications. Shares safety and hazard trends and issues by providing situational awareness.
• Responsible for all OSHA/TOSHA compliance and related policies and procedures for MNAA, including compliance with all local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Responsible for MNAA’s environmental programs, including compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Responsible for the development and maintenance of manuals, policies, practices, and procedures to ensure compliance at all times.
• Proactively mentors, develops, and fosters collaboration among staff, departments, and external partners.
• Follows all safety regulations.
• Maintains regular and on-time attendance.
• Supports MNAA's commitment to its culture and values, including Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence (RISE).
• Adhere to all MNAA Policies and Procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in aviation, safety, business, or a related field
• 4-7 years experience in aviation safety
• 2-4 years regulatory compliance experience at the local, state or federal level
• 4-7 years direct experience developing, implementing, or maturing a SMS program within an airport or similarly regulated operational environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in aviation or safety
• 2-4 years OSHA compliance experience
• Certified Member of American Association of Airport Executives
• Airport Certified Employee with a Safety Management System certification from a recognized aviation or safety organization

Skills

• Broad-based knowledge of airport and airline operations, and SMS theory, design, application, and implementation.
• Thorough knowledge of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 139, CFR Title 49 part 1542, associated FAA ACs, the Airport Certification Manual, National Incident Manual Systems (NIMS), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14, Labor & Industries requirements, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Aircraft Fueling requirements.
• Safety and Security: Knowledge of equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote safety and security.
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical, problem solving, information processing and correlation skills.
• Strong interpersonal, writing, collaboration, communication, and information delivery skills.
• Microsoft Office: Skill in using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Skilled in process mapping, management, and analysis.
• Ability to present ideas and concepts to large audiences, industry groups, regulators, working groups and panels in a logical and reasoned manner.
• Ability to interpret and apply safety, risk, legal, airport operations, and airline standards and practices.
• Ability to balance and weigh multiple objectives and priorities. Ability to support and influence outcomes.
• Ability to qualify for, understand and comprehend airfield, airline and ground handler standards and practices and FAR 139.303 training & qualifications.
• Ability to effectively manage, analysis, and interpret data to discern and identify trends and associations.
• Must be well spoken and able to interface with multiple stakeholders under stressful situations.
• Must have an understanding and familiarity with safety and risk management practices.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) Badge.

Benefits

• Deferred compensation plans
• Educational Assistance
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance
• Health Screenings
• Paid Holidays
• Annual/Bereavement/Military Leave

Pay

Salary Range: $113,018 - $194,514. Final salary offer will be based on relevant skills and experience to the position.