Talent Acquisition Manager - Pilot Recruitment

Etihad Airways; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline based in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Recruitment Manager for Pilot Recruitment. This role involves developing strategies to attract and hire qualified pilots while ensuring compliance with regulations. Ideal candidates possess a strong background in Talent Acquisition, particularly in aviation, and excellent communication skills. This position offers a dynamic environment and requires significant interaction with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in Talent Acquisition in a global environment.
• Desirable experience in aviation recruitment or as a pilot.
• Proficient in assessment design and facilitation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute recruitment strategies for pilots.
• Oversee end-to-end sourcing and assessment.
• Establish partnerships with Flight Operations for recruitment activities.

Skills

Talent Acquisition

Aviation Recruitment

Assessment Methodology

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

7+ years in Talent Acquisition

Job description

At Etihad Airways, we believe in the power of people to create extraordinary experiences. As the national airline of the UAE and one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines, we’re proud to connect Abu Dhabi to over 100 destinations globally.

Our Talent Acquisition team is central to this growth, ensuring we recruit the right people at the right time and cost. We’re looking for a Recruitment Manager Pilot Recruitment who will be dedicated to delivering world-class recruitment strategies to attract and hire pilots for our Flight Crew team.

Role Purpose

You will develop and execute effective strategies to identify, attract and hire qualified pilots. Partnering closely with Flight Operations Pilot Selection, you’ll oversee end‑to‑end sourcing and assessment globally, ensuring compliance with GCAA regulations and Etihad policies, and delivering an exceptional candidate experience.

Accountabilities

• Develop and deliver recruitment strategies across Flight Operations roles, with a sole focus on pilot recruitment
• Build deep market insights to guide sourcing and location strategies
• Partner with Flight Operations to deliver roadshows and outreach initiatives
• Act as SME in pilot assessment and selection, supporting with training where required
• Lead and facilitate assessments, interviews, and competency testing
• Serve as the main point of contact for candidates throughout the process
• Provide strategic input to continuously improve methodology and outcomes
• Represent Etihad with professionalism at events, assessments, and roadshows

Education & Experience

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience within Talent Acquisition in a complex global environment, ideally for technical roles
• Previous experience in aviation recruitment, or as a pilot, is desirable
• Proficient in assessment and selection methodology (eg. design and facilitation of assessment centres, competency based interviewing, psychometrics)
• High level of attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple recruitment processes simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence and engage key stakeholders with credibility
• Able to demonstrate assertiveness in ensuring a bias‑free, fair and rigorous selection process is followed, with the gravitas to intervene diplomatically to uphold Etihad’s values
• Ability to lead and manage recruitment campaigns, with a particular focus on cultural awareness, and which involve presenting to large groups of people with confidence
• Ambassadorial qualities with the ability to represent Etihad in a professional, engaging and personable manner
• Ability to leverage data and analytics to predict trends and to drive decisions

About Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, was formed in 2003 and quickly went on to become one of the world’s leading airlines. From its home in Abu Dhabi, Etihad flies to passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Together with Etihad’s codeshare partners, Etihad’s network offers access to hundreds of international destinations. In recent years, Etihad has received numerous awards for its superior service and products, cargo offering, loyalty programme and more. All this ties into Etihad’s ambitious Journey 2030 strategy. The airline plans to double its fleet size and triple the number of customers over the next six years as it sets out to be the airline everyone wants to fly!

To learn more, visit etihad.com

Recruitment Fraud Alert

Beware of fraudulent job offers from individuals or organizations claiming to represent the Etihad group. We will never ask for personal information, bank details, or payment during the recruitment process. Interviews are conducted face‑to‑face or via video/telephone before any formal offer. If you are asked for money, please treat it as fraudulent.