About Sun Country Airlines

Were not your average airline. Were agile, resilient, and full of unique opportunity. Here, you can grow as part of an ambitious team that safely and collectively supports each other, our travelers, and our community. Together, were making travel more attainable.

With more than 40 years of Minnesota roots, were a unique hybrid low-cost carrier offering diverse services including scheduled flights to destinations across the U.S., Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean, as well as charter and cargo operations around the world. At Sun Country, youll be part of a growing airline, and an enthusiastic team focused on connecting our community with their favorite people and places.

Sun Country Airlines provides the resources and support our employees need to succeed. Besides working at a great and growing company, as a Manager Operational Safety & Assurance youll enjoy these benefits and more:

• Comprehensive benefit package including dental and vision
• PPO and high-deductible health plans
• Health savings accounts (HSA and FSA)
• Dependent Care
• Starting day one free standby and discounted travel privileges for employees, family, & friends
• 401(k) match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program including counseling for employees and their family
• Fitness incentive and Stop Smoking Support

Manager Operational Safety & Assurance Overview:

Sun Country Airlines is seeking a Manager, Operational Safety & Assurance to support the ongoing development and management of Sun Country Airlines Safety Management System (SMS) by leading safety investigations, data analysis, and internal evaluations across all operational departments. This position serves as a key liaison between Safety, operational leadership, and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with FAA and IATA requirements and promoting a proactive safety culture. The Manager, Operational Safety & Assurance also oversees specialized safety programs such as Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP), the Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP), SMS, and the Internal Evaluation Program (IEP), driving continuous improvement and alignment with company safety objectives.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Oversight of safety management processes within operational departments. Act as a subject matter expert for SMS throughout the organization.
• Support in the execution, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Companys Safety Management System (SMS). Develop and propose enhancements to safety policies, procedures, and manuals in alignment with regulations and industry best practices.
• Mentor Safety Analysts by providing guidance, sharing expertise, and supporting the development of analytical and investigative skills.
• Lead investigations of operational events and serve as an auditor within the Internal Evaluation Program (IEP).
• Collect, analyze and interpret safety data to identify hazards, emerging risks, and systemic trends.
• Manage the administration of safety databases, develop analytical models, and generate performance reports for senior leadership.
• Oversee the Safety Assurance function through risk assessments, corrective action tracking, and performance monitoring.
• Serve as a liaison for external audits, including IATA and DOD, and support voluntary regulatory programs such as VDRP.
• Coordinate responses to Letters of Investigation (LOIs) and conduct follow-up audits to verify corrective actions.
• Develop safety alerts/newsletters, studies, and promotional materials to communicate safety trends and lessons learned. Lead Safety Promotion campaigns.
• Promote Just Culture principles and safety engagement across all departments.
• Serve as a technical expert on ProSafeT software platform.
• Participate in airline industry meetings and collaborate with regulatory and industry partners to identify and share best practices.
• Represent Safety in cross-functional working groups.
• Maintain readiness to support safety matters on a 24/7 on-call basis.

Additionally, each manager may also be assigned focus areas that include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP): Administer and manage ASAP for applicable employee groups; facilitate Event Review Committees (ERC), track corrective actions, and ensure compliance with the MOU.
• Fatigue Review Committee (FRC): Administer and manage the Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP); oversee fatigue reporting, data analysis, and awareness training.
• Safety Management System (SMS): Develop, implement, and maintain SMS processes and training programs for company personnel; lead SMS awareness and promotion efforts.
• Internal Evaluation Program (IEP): Oversee audit planning, checklist management, and completion tracking to ensure program compliance and quality assurance

Required Qualifications:

• Three to five years of experience in a fast-paced, safety-critical operational environment, preferably within an airline or maintenance organization.
• Extensive knowledge of aviation safety programs and Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including risk management, safety assurance, reporting, and promotion.
• Operational experience across multiple airline functions such as Dispatch, Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Inflight, and Technical Operations.
• Strong understanding of aircraft systems, minimum equipment lists (MELs), dispatch procedures, and Federal Aviation Regulations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and aviation human factors.
• Excellent written communication skills with demonstrated experience in report preparation, manual development, and correspondence with regulatory agencies.
• Advanced analytical and technical capabilities, including proficiency in statistical analysis and audit evaluation.
• Working knowledge of FAA Part 121 and Part 5 regulatory requirements and operational standards.
• Proven expertise in audit principles, risk assessment, and root cause analysis.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and safety tracking or data management systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Aviation, Safety, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in a high-volume operational environment, preferably within an airline or maintenance organization.
• FAA certification as an Aircraft Dispatcher, Pilot, or Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic.
• Safety professional certifications, ICAO or IATA SMS certifications, root cause or investigation certifications. OSHA 10 or 30 hour certifications, or data analytics certifications

Compensation:

Pay range: $60,000 - $80,000 USD annually. This is the base compensation hiring range for this role.

Classification: 

Full-Time, Exempt

Work Location:

Minneapolis, MN (onsite)

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibility but provides mentorship for Safety Analysts.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands or fingers, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Other Duties:

The above statements are intended to provide a summary of key responsibilities and the anticipated work environment of an accountant. They are not intended to be an all-inclusive listing of job duties. Position expectations may change as the needs, or the requirements of the organization evolve.

AAP/EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Sun Country Airlines to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Sun Country Airlines respects and values every employees contribution to our business. We believe that an important part of our strength comes from our people and their array of perspectives.

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