Associate Vice President for Safety and Risk Services

Embry-Riddle: A Global Leader in Aviation and Aerospace

With vibrant campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ-along with a Worldwide network spanning roughly 120 global locations-Embry-Riddle proudly stands as the world's largest aviation and aerospace university. Now celebrating our 100th year, we continue to lead innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students worldwide. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space prepare the next generation of leaders shaping the future of flight and beyond.

The Opportunity:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Associate Vice President for Safety and Risk Services to join our leadership team. The Associate Vice President for Safety & Risk Services (AVP) provides strategic leadership and varying levels of oversight and coordination for university-wide programs in areas like environmental health and safety, flight safety, research and laboratory safety, insurance and risk, safety and risk analysis for campus activities, occupational safety and health, and institutional safety policies. The AVP works across ERAU's two residential campuses and Worldwide operations, partnering with academic leaders, flight operations, facilities and construction teams, student life organizations, and administrative units to ensure a safe, compliant, and risk-aware environment.

The successful candidate will bring technical credibility, operational judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to move complex policies and processes forward in a timely, effective manner. This role reports to senior university leadership and plays a key part in strengthening ERAU's safety culture and institutional risk posture.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Culture

• Provide leadership to the Manger of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Prescott Manager of EH&S, and the Insurance & Risk Coordinator. Offer indirect oversight to aviation safety managers.

• Strengthen a consistent and collaborative culture of safety across the Daytona Beach and Prescott residential campuses and Worldwide operations.

• Build trust and enhance communication with academic units, student life, flight programs, research groups, and facilities teams.

• Serve as a visible, approachable leader who builds strong partnerships with students, faculty, staff, and campus organizations.

• Implement and oversee a structured and collaborative ecosystem that ensures safety analysis and mitigation is implemented at appropriate levels across the University.

Flight Safety Governance

• Serve as a liaison to the Flight Safety & Education (FS&E) Committee working closely with the University's core leadership team member serving as the focal for this committee.

• Maintain a deep understanding of aviation safety, flight operations, safety management systems (SMS), and human factors.

• Participate in after-action reviews of flight-related incidents and monitor implementation of corrective actions and process improvements.

• Support leadership in determining which issues escalate to Senior Administration, the President, and the Board of Trustees.

• Collaborate with flight programs (AS, UAS, and others) to ensure alignment between operational safety practices and institutional policies.

Environmental Health and Safety

• Provide strategic oversight for university-wide environmental health and safety programs, including occupational safety, hazardous materials, fire and life safety, and related regulatory compliance.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT, fire codes) while promoting consistent EH&S standards across campuses and operations.

• Drive proactive hazard identification, risk assessment, and mitigation efforts to reduce incidents, regulatory exposure, and operational disruption.

Research & Laboratory Safety

• Oversee research and laboratory safety across the university, including specialized facilities, hazardous materials, and regulated environments.

• Understand unique regulatory considerations such as ITAR-controlled spaces, restricted access labs, and specialized research workflows.

• Improve the efficiency and clarity of policy review and approval processes to prevent proposals from stalling and to ensure timely advancement.

• Support safe operations in high-risk research facilities.

Facilities, Construction & Capital Projects

• Partner with Facilities Management, Planning & Construction, and external contractors to ensure safe operations on active construction sites and during major capital projects.

• Advise on safety expectations and issues for existing and new facilities.

• Provide guidance on commissioning processes and safety integration for new or renovated facilities.

Risk & Insurance Program Management

• Collaborate with the Senior Vice President and CFO to ensure adequate coverage in the university's insurance portfolio.

• Oversee insurance claims administration, including incident reporting, coordination with insurers and third-party administrators, trend analysis, and follow-up on corrective actions.

• Advise on insurance policy interpretation, coverage applicability, risk transfer strategies, and complex claims in collaboration with finance, legal, and operational leaders.

• Support insurance renewals through exposure analysis, loss history review, and recommendations to ensure appropriate and cost-effective coverage.

Policy Oversight & Institutional Coordination

• Oversee university-wide safety-related policies (e.g., Minors on Campus, Use of Equipment and Vehicles).

• Advise academic and administrative units on policies and provide guidance as needed.

• Identify and address asymmetries between campus or departmental policies to promote consistency while respecting operational differences.

Student & Campus Engagement

• Maintain active presence on both residential campuses to identify concerns, strengthen partnerships, and reinforce safety expectations.

• Provide training, consultation, and support to student organizations, competition teams, and club advisors.

• Support safety planning for student travel, activities, and events.

• Provide guidance to student groups, advisors, and campus life staff on safe planning and execution of student events and activities.

Incident Review, Risk Assessment & Compliance

• Serve on the Initial Review Committee to evaluate risks associated with institutional activities and programs.

• Convene and chair Safety Review Boards; oversee documentation, corrective action follow-up, and continuous monitoring.

• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as institutional requirements and industry best practices.

Execution & Operational Excellence

• Advance policies, procedures, and safety initiatives with timely follow-through, ensuring work progresses even when not urgent.

• Establish clear prioritization frameworks to prevent delays in lower risk but important compliance or safety improvements.

• Build processes that simplify and streamline safety operations across campuses.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time, exempt (salaried) position.

• Travel to Prescott and other ERAU locations is required.

• The role requires flexibility to work the hours necessary to meet operational and safety needs.

• Health Benefits:Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health-because your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you!
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions:ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Generous Time Off: Relax with 18 days of personal leave in your first year. Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. .

Required Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, master's degree in aviation, Safety, Engineering, Environmental Health, Research Administration, or related field preferred.
• Skills, knowledge, or abilities preferred in one or more of the following:
• aviation accident investigation,
• safety management systems,
• flight safety,
• human factors,
• aviation maintenance,
• environmental and health safety,
• OSHA standards,
• insurance and risk management,
• laboratory and research safety, and
• higher education safety administration.
• 5-10 years of progressively responsible experience in safety, aviation, risk management, or related domains.
• Experience working in or with flight operations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead policy and process improvements efficiently.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, facilities organizations, and external partners.
• Experience supporting residential campuses and student groups preferred.
• Training or willingness to be trained in critical incident stress management.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.