Airport Control Shift Lead

Heathrow; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international airport is looking for an Airport Control Shift Lead to manage day-to-day operations, ensure effective incident response, and lead a team of Airport Control Officers. The ideal candidate will have experience in airport operations, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to oversee incident management. This role involves coordination with multiple stakeholders and maintaining operational standards to ensure safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience in airport operations, ideally with at least 12 months in a multi-stakeholder operational environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to SOPs, with confidence to challenge when necessary.
• Professional Experience in a control room environment is essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Airport Control team during the shift, ensuring effective coordination and adherence to procedures.
• Act as the main point of escalation and liaison for various stakeholders during operations and incidents.
• Manage and support the Airport Control Officers including performance, wellbeing, and training.
• Oversee incident response and communication, ensuring timely handling of calls and accurate logging.
• Maintain operational standards, including oversight of fault tracking and system monitoring.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Excellent communication and influencing skills

PC literate with competence in Windows-based applications

Ability to multi-task and implement operational improvements

Education

Experience in airport operations

Professional experience in a control room environment

Tools

Windows-based applications

Job description

The Airport Control Shift Lead manages day-to-day APOC operations, coordinating responses to incidents, ensuring procedures are followed, and acting as the first point of escalation. They provide leadership to OLCs and OCs during routine and complex events, liaise with key stakeholders, and line-manage a team of Airport Control Officers to maintain operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Airport Control team during the shift, ensuring effective coordination, situational awareness, and adherence to SOPs / CSOPs / Emergency Orders.
• Act as the main point of escalation and liaison for AOM, ACM / ACOM, OLCs, OCs, and wider stakeholders during routine operations and incidents.
• Manage and support the Airport Control Officers, including performance, wellbeing, training, and regular 1-2-1s.
• Oversee incident response and communication, ensuring timely handling of calls / alarms, accurate logging, appropriate resourcing, and clear information flow.
• Maintain operational standards, including DORIS oversight, fault tracking, system monitoring, and ensure all notifications are responded to in line with KPIs.
• Coordinate shift operations by managing room coverage, breaks, roster considerations, shift handovers, calendars, and mandatory checks of resilient facilities.
• Drive continuous improvement and consistency, supporting process enhancements, embedding learnings, and ensuring alignment with operational procedures.
• Represent Airport Control in wider APOC and Heathrow operations, attending briefings, supporting exercises, and contributing to stakeholder engagement and planning.

Qualifications / Experience

• Experience in airport operations, ideally with at least 12 months in a multi-stakeholder operational environment and familiarity with Heathrow’s terminal / airfield geography.
• Strong organisational skills, able to multi-task, work flexibly, and implement operational improvements.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, adapting style to engage internal and external stakeholders, including third parties and control authorities.
• Commitment to confidentiality and adherence to SOPs, with the confidence to challenge constructively when necessary.
• PC literate with competence in Windows-based and critical software applications, and passionate about building strong relationships and delivering excellent service.
• Professional Experience in a control room environment is essential for this role.