Airfield Operations Manager

MANCHESTER AIRPORT PLC; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK airport operator is seeking a Head of Airfield Operations at East Midlands Airport. This role offers the opportunity to lead and manage the Airfield Operations team, ensuring safe and commercially effective operations. Responsibilities include overseeing airfield activities, driving collaboration, and balancing safety and profitability. Excellent leadership experience in a safety-focused environment is essential. Competitive salary offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing teams in safety-critical environments.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements like CAP 168.
• Ability to develop and execute operational strategies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee airfield operations ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Act as a senior decision-maker during incidents and emergencies.
• Lead implementation of resilience and recovery plans.
• Ensure compliance with aerodrome regulations.
• Maximise stand utilisation to support revenue growth.

Skills

Team management

Operational safety

Commercial focus

Crisis management

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

Summary

Head of Airfield Operations

Full time - Permanent

Based at East Midlands Airport

Competitive Salary

Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you will lead and manage the Airfield Operations team to ensure the safe, compliant, efficient, and commercially effective operation of the airfield environment.

As Head of Airfield Operations, you will play a pivotal role in balancing operational safety, capacity, and commercial opportunity, ensuring that the airfield supports the airport’s strategic objectives for growth, performance, and profitability.

As part of the Airport Leadership Team, you will drive collaboration across departments to deliver seamless, safe, and sustainable operations that enable global trade and exceptional passenger experiences.

This is a people leadership role, requiring proven experience in managing teams within complex, safety-critical, and commercially focused environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the safe and efficient operation of the airfield, including aircraft parking, stand allocation, inspections, works in progress.
• Act as the senior operational decision-maker during incidents, emergencies, and irregular operations, ensuring coordinated responses and timely recovery to maintain service continuity.
• Lead the implementation of contingency, resilience, and recovery plans to minimise operational disruption and protect commercial performance.
• Ensure all airfield operations comply with the Aerodrome Manual, CAP 168, and other regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain a commercially focused approach to airfield management, maximising stand utilisation to support growth in movements and revenue.
• Work with Commercial and other internal teams to optimise stand planning, and turnaround efficiency to increase capacity without compromising safety.
• Contribute to budgeting and financial planning, providing accurate forecasting and performance reporting on airfield operations costs and revenue opportunities.
• Support the development of airfield infrastructure and business cases for investment to enhance operational capacity, resilience, and long-term growth potential.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing Airfield Operations team, including Duty Managers.
• Ensure continuous compliance with CAA aerodrome licensing and Safety Management System requirements.
• Maintain robust occurrence reporting and investigation processes, ensuring timely resolution and learning outcomes.
• Promote a positive safety culture, encouraging open reporting and proactive risk management.
• Play an active role in the Airport Leadership Team, supporting decision-making across airfield, terminal, and landside operations.
• Partner with Commercial, Capital Delivery teams to align operational capacity with airline demand and business growth objectives.
• Contribute to strategic projects, infrastructure planning, and innovation initiatives that enhance airport efficiency, sustainability, and revenue potential.