Flight Operations Manager - Operational Safety
Date: 20 Mar 2025
Location: Gatwick, GB
Salary: Up to £71,000 basic salary plus an additional Market Related Supplement (MRS) dependent on licences held of up to £79,000 plus car allowance
Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time
Security Level: SC
Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship
We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.
The Role
Manage effectively the activities of the associated resource team that has been assigned to oversee specific flight operations functions to assess the competence of applicants of operational Certificates, Declarations, Authorisations and Licenses and thereafter monitor their fitness to hold such a certificate, declaration, authorisation and license.
Sector/Team
* Lead and manage the activities of assigned resource team ensuring that their specified duties are discharged efficiently and, in a cost-effective manner.
* Provide coaching and mentoring to assigned staff to enable staff to continuously improve and realise their potential.
* Assess and report on staff performance in accordance with Performance Development Conversation (PDC) procedures to ensure that staff continuously improve, and that any poor performance is recorded and managed.
* Assess, in accordance with Management System Manual procedures, the competence of applicants, and recommend accordingly thereby ensuring safe operations are conducted.
* Manage the running of staff training, where required, to ensure that staff retain a current awareness of regulatory issues and are trained properly to fulfil their functions.
* Be satisfied that appropriate levels of safety are likely to be achieved by demonstrated compliance with the defined regulatory requirement, assisting the development of those standards and requirements where necessary.
* Assess the acceptability of any request made by an applicant to be granted any permission, approval, variation or exemption, and recommend accordingly thereby ensuring safe operations are conducted.
* Assess by observing assigned staff conducting audits and inspections that specified procedures are adhered to. Report accordingly thereby ensuring that appropriate standardisation is in place and a level playing field for operations is applied.
Capability Team
* Contribute to the management of Flight Operations including reviewing divisional procedures, processes and objectives for safety and airspace regulation activities, ensuring the pursuit of safety objectives and the maintenance or improvement of safety standards.
* Provide a source of assistance and expert advice within and outside SARG thereby ensuring that stakeholders’ requirements are fulfilled.
* For certain Flight Operations Managers, manage courses for Type Rating Instructors, Type Rating Examiners, Authorised Examiners and Revalidation Examiners of Type Rating Examiners and Class Rating Examiners.
* Undertake tasks as set by Heads of Flight Operations as required.
* Deputise for Head of Flight Operations when required.
CAAi
* Proactively manage the interface with CAAi by maximising the utilisation of fully funded posts, to promote CAAi internally and externally, and support CAAi to develop new products and services.
* In conjunction with the Operational Planning Manager, ensure that CAAi tasks and activities are efficiently managed and discharged thereby completing contract timescales.
* Influencing safety and proportionality (leading beyond authority). Deliver outcomes internationally to mitigate safety concerns or support IG / CAAi International contract delivery where appropriate.
* Deliver Flight Ops capability to undertake the CAA’s Safety Leadership role by engaging with external stakeholders beyond those we regulate or interact with directly, who are able to influence or act to address the major risks and safety issues in the total aviation system that impact upon UK aviation consumers and the general public.
* Drive the delivery of a risk and performance-based approach to our regulation within Flight Ops, including the delivery of an internal safety management system that prioritises the risks to the UK aviation consumer and general public from across the Total Aviation System, leading to safety programmes with measurable outcomes.
* Resource Management
* Drive and lead business change activities to embed resource management across Flight Ops and ensure delivery of SARG priorities through local resourcing decisions.
* In conjunction with other FOMs, advise on staffing levels, tasks and disposition in order to ensure that the functions and activities of the team are efficiently performed, and adequate resources are in place.
Communications and Records
* To actively promote internal CAA communications and to coordinate input to cross-SARG and external communications; in particular, ensure that industry and public facing campaigns are coordinated across their team, SARG.
* To ensure that all the Sector/Team content of the website, publications, SharePoint and the intranet is maintained and current.
* To have overall accountability for communications and records, including all content, material and decisions generated within their Sector/Team
Management Information
* Create, utilise and share management information to assist the team/capability in making informed and documented decisions.
* Ensure that the sector/team risk overviews are documented and shared.
About You
To be considered for this role you will need to have:
* A degree or professional level qualification in areas related to aviation. With several years’ proven success in a managerial position within SARG, the CAA or a commercial air transport operator/ Approved Training Organisation.
* Proven success in the use of management systems, business planning, performance management monitoring (safety and business), risk assessment and mitigation, training development and the management of change.
* Proven experience of Resource Management and oversight governance.
* Adequate time spent in command of aircraft employed in public transport operations or as an Instructor/Senior Examiner, and time spent in a managerial or training post working for a UK AOC holder or Approved Training Organisation. For certain posts, hold an Air Transport Pilot’s License granted by the CAA.
* Sufficient aviation experience to comprehend the manner in which the team manages its tasks and will have a broad understanding of a variety of technical issues so can monitor, guide and make decisions on major safety issues involving the section. The job holder will be required to resolve problems, hold an excellent appreciation of the issues and the practicality of the decisions they are making.
* An excellent set of interpersonal skills suitable and appropriate to work as part of a team and to respond quickly, but calmly and correctly, when sudden needs arise.
* Polite, empathetic and tactful manner.
* A skilful organiser and an ability to exercise initiative in planning for results.
* An enquiring mind geared to the need to identifying failings and improvements to current processes and procedures together with a positive approach to recommend practical actions.
* An ability to prioritise work and use initiative to deal with unusual requests or situations.
Additional Information
For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.
To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.
If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.
The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.
Relocation & Property
The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.
We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.
We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028
Inclusive Recruitment
We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.
Working With Us
We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.
We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.
We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!
Our Values
Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here
Closing Date: Friday 4th April 2025
Interview Date: W/C 14th April 2025
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
No recruitment agencies please.
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