Airport Operations Duty Manager

Bournemouth Airport; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Free on-site parking while on duty

Free Airport parking for holidays (T&L

Cycle to work

Discounts on Fred Olsen Holidays

Discounts with Airport retailers

Comprehensive training package

Full uniform provided

Job summary

Bournemouth Airport seeks a proactive Airport Operations Duty Manager for a 12‑month fixed-term contract. You will supervise daily operations, ensuring safe, compliant movement of passengers and efficient ramp and terminal activities.

Responsibilities include managing the Operations Centre, coordinating staff, and maintaining performance SLAs, while adhering to RCA policies and industry regulations.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and decision-making under pressure.
• Experience in airport operations or airside management.
• Strong understanding of health and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day airport operations to ensure safety and compliance.
• Oversee apron/stand allocation and on-time performance targets.
• Conduct routine audits of apron areas for safety and accuracy.
• Provide timely operational reports and updates to management.
• Act as senior airport representative during out-of-hours operations.

Skills

Team leadership

Crisis management

Real-time communication

Problem solving

Driving licence

Education

IOSH Managing Safety

NEBOSH certificate

Job description

Airport Operations Duty Manager – Fixed Term Contract – 12 Months – 40 hours per week

Bournemouth Airport has an opportunity for a pro‑active and hardworking Airport Duty Operations Manager to join our busy and expanding team on a fixed term 12-month contract.

JOB OVERVIEW

To supervise and manage the day‑to‑day airport operations, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient movement of passengers through the ramp apron and arrivals areas, and adherence to BOH operating and security protocols. To safely and efficiently manage the Operations Centre and ramp operatives in accordance with RCA behaviours, external statutory and regulatory requirements, and all relevant policies and procedures.

Principal Accountabilities

Business and Customer Service Accountabilities

• Manage the safe, effective, efficient, and compliant operation that meets the daily operational requirements of the business
• Oversee the daily apron and stand allocation plan, supporting key stakeholders to ensure on‑time performance SLA targets are achieved
• Conduct routine compliance audits on the appearance and functionality of the apron areas to ensure they are safe, tidy, well maintained, and equipped to provide a professional environment and an efficient, compliant service
• Monitor performance against defined service level agreements, providing specific and timely feedback and escalating issues as appropriate, with subsequent monitoring and follow‑up
• Provide reliable and up‑to‑date information to managers, such as Mayfly’s, flight change notifications, in order to enhance customer service quality and value for money
• Ensure Operations Centre and ramp staffing levels are maintained and published to meet operational demands
• Monitor Operations Centre and ramp staff annual leave and sickness to enable efficient task allocation
• Ensure competency training is carried out in accordance with airline procedures and regulations
• Maintain the highest possible standard of customer service for the airport authority, users, and the travelling public
• Assist the Ground Operations Manager with maintaining comprehensive knowledge of Airport Operational Procedures, Operational Instructions, Emergency Orders, and company policy
• Prepare and submit daily operational reports as required
• Ensure all staff records are accurately completed within required timescales
• Undertake any other duties of a similar responsibility level as required
• Provide constructive feedback on the management of all reportable staff
• Attend training courses to maintain and develop skills as identified in the Personal Development Plan
• Conduct departmental staff appraisals and make recommendations as appropriate
• Ensure and improve departmental productivity within acceptable safety parameters
• Attend and deliver team briefings, ensuring daily information exchange with internal and external departments and agencies
• Act as senior airport representative during out-of-hours for both airside and landside operations; report serious incidents directly to the Ground Operations Manager and Operations Director
• Leadership & Management Accountabilities
• Establish departmental objectives and performance targets
• Monitor daily reports, taking action to address identified issues and opportunities
• Assist the Ground Operations Manager in developing required policies and procedures
• Be financially aware of the implications of actions within the Airside function and support the Ground Operations Manager in delivering efficient working programmes
• Support the Ground Operations Manager in developing the department
• Help create an environment where colleagues feel motivated to perform their best and empowered to make decisions within their areas of responsibility
• Undertake counselling, administer disciplinary actions, and respond to grievances, applying procedures fairly and consistently to contribute to effective human resources and employee relations management within RCA
• Respond positively to user complaints and, where appropriate, investigate such complaints, ensuring timely recommendations to the Ground Operations Manager and proactive action to resolve issues and mitigate risk
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Ground Operations Manager as required

Health & Safety Accountabilities

• Dispense all responsibilities defined within the Company Health & Safety policy, ensuring compliance of all operational services with relevant Health & Safety legislation
• Recognise that a robust health and safety policy, understood and acted upon by all employees, is fundamental to the Company’s success and achievement of business goals
• Comply, whilst at work, with responsibilities conferred by Sections 7 & 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Strong familiarity with national and international civil aviation authority standards (such as CAA in the UK), aerodrome operating procedures, and local safety rules.
• Understanding of airport security plans, dangerous goods compliance, and workplace safety guidelines.
• Knowledge of the airport’s emergency plan, incident command systems, and protocols for handling airside or terminal emergencies.
• Familiarity with flight‑tracking tools, ground handling coordination, ramp operations, and smart airport technologies.
• Understanding documentation checks, passenger rights, and reporting obligations for operational failures.

Required Experience

• 3 to 5+ years working in airport operations, airside management, or a closely related logistics/transport field.
• Must pass strict background checks, including a criminal record check and verified 5-year employment history to obtain an airside ID pass.
• Proven track record of managing live disruptions, delays, severe weather responses, or emergency incidents on shift.

Key Skills

• Ability to supervise multi‑disciplinary teams, ground handling agents, dispatchers, and airline representatives under high‑pressure conditions.
• Remaining calm and decisive during unexpected operational emergencies.
• Clear, real‑time communication bridging air traffic control (ATC), airlines, emergency services, and passenger services
• Quick evaluation of bottlenecks, flight delays, or facility failures with practical, fast resolutions.
• Credentials like IOSH Managing Safety, a NEBOSH certificate, or leadership qualifications.
• Clean Driving licence required.

What’s on offer:

• Life Assurance
• Free on‑site parking whilst on duty
• Free Airport parking when you go on holiday (subject to availability)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on Fred Olsen Holidays
• Discounts with Airport retailers including the Bourne & Acre Restaurant and regular employee sales at World Duty Free
• Comprehensive training package and fantastic career development opportunities
• Full uniform provided

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK, undertake a Criminal Record check and provide 5 years of checkable referencing history.