FBO Manager

Gama Aviation; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Income protection

Private healthcare

Free car parking

Volunteering days

Training & development

Job summary

Gama Aviation in Glasgow seeks a confident FBO Manager to lead our Fixed Base Operation, directing airside and landside service delivery, client experience and team performance.

You will drive safety, compliance and continuous improvement, embedding a client-centric culture while overseeing revenue growth, cost control and strategic operations across the FBO lounge, ramp and handling activities.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience within FBO and/or ground handling operations.
• Proven experience managing operational teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong leadership and performance management capabilities.
• Excellent commercial awareness with budgeting, forecasting and P&L management.
• In-depth knowledge of ground handling procedures, staff rostering and operational planning.
• Demonstrated ability to drive business performance and cost optimisation.
• Experience delivering exceptional, 5-star customer service.
• Knowledge of national and international aviation regulations and their impact on operations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across operational boundaries.
• Experience managing complex operational issues and high-pressure situations.
• Hands-on leadership style with flexibility to work hours required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all day-to-day FBO operations, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient service delivery.
• Drive a client experience culture across the FBO with high hospitality standards.
• Act as primary contact for clients, crew, VIPs, authorities, suppliers and service providers.
• Oversee FBO lounge operations and readiness for aircraft movements.
• Coordinate staff rosters for proper coverage across operations.
• Lead, motivate and develop the FBO team with coaching and appraisals.
• Manage training requirements and base training matrix.
• Develop and implement FBO procedures, standards and strategies.
• Maintain FBO Operations Manual and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Promote safety culture through the SMS and risk assessments.
• Represent the base at safety meetings and drive improvements.
• Drive aviation security compliance per CAA standards; GSS training as needed.
• Plan customer aircraft movements and coordinate with Ops systems.
• Oversee ramp operations and ground handling, including fuel and pushbacks.
• Ensure cost optimisation and full P&L ownership (budgeting, invoicing).
• Grow market share and secure new business opportunities.
• Provide updates to senior management on budgets and priorities.
• Support out-of-hours operations and shift coverage as required.

Skills

FBO operations

Team leadership

Budgeting

P&L management

Regulatory compliance

Customer service

Ground handling

Staff scheduling

Stakeholder management

Safety culture

Driving licence

Airside pass

Job description

Position: FBO Manager

Location: Glasgow

Reporting to: Head of FBOs

Working Hours: Full-Time, 40 Hours per week

• Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits!
• Drive strategic growth and operational excellence in a leading FBO!
• Opportunities for personal and professional development in a fast-paced and rewarding role!
• Shape a premium client experience while championing safety and compliance!

Overview

Gama Aviation is currently seeking a confident, commercially minded and customer-focused FBO Manager to lead our Fixed Base Operation in Glasgow.

This is a high-impact leadership position where you will oversee all aspects of FBO operations, both airside and landside, from service delivery, client experience and team performance to safety, security, budget management and business growth.

As FBO Manager, you will lead the FBO and Client Experience team to deliver safe, efficient and exceptional services to clients, crew, VIPs and visitors. You will play a key role in embedding our client-centric culture and driving continuous improvement, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of hospitality, operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Supporting the Head of FBOs, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the FBO lounge, ramp and handling activities, staff coordination, supplier relationships and commercial performance. You will also contribute to accurate revenue capture, support business growth initiatives and participate in out-of-hours callout duties when required.

We are seeking an experienced aviation professional with a strong operational background and a passion for premium service. You will have a hands‑on leadership style, commercial awareness and a proven ability to build and develop high‑performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all day‑to‑day FBO operations, both airside and landside, ensuring safe, compliant and efficient service delivery
• Drive a client experience culture across the FBO, ensuring consistently high standards of hospitality, professionalism and communication
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, crew, VIPs, airport authorities, suppliers and third‑party service providers
• Oversee the day‑to‑day running of the FBO lounge and ensure readiness for all aircraft movements
• Coordinate staff rosters to ensure appropriate coverage across all operational requirements
• Lead, motivate and develop the FBO team through effective performance management, coaching and annual appraisals
• Manage training requirements, ensuring all training remains current and the base training matrix is maintained
• Develop, implement and continuously improve FBO procedures, standards and strategies
• Maintain ownership of the FBO Operations Manual and ensure compliance with the Aviation Security Programme and all applicable regulatory requirements
• Promote a strong safety culture through the Safety Management System (SMS)
• Ensure local risk assessments, safe systems of work and safety procedures are current, fit for purpose and reviewed regularly
• Represent the base at safety meetings and conduct safety observations to drive continuous improvement
• Drive aviation security compliance in line with CAA and airport standards, including training as an Aviation Ground Security Supervisor (GSS)
• Ensure customer aircraft movements are effectively planned and coordinated
• Oversee usage and develop a detailed understanding of Air Ops software
• Maintain positive relationships with customers, suppliers and stakeholders, encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement
• Manage ramp operations, ensuring all ground handling procedures are carried out safely and efficiently
• Perform ground handling activities when required, including aircraft movements, fuelling, pushbacks, marshalling and GSE operations
• Ensure operational efficiency through effective resource management and cost optimisation
• Maintain full P&L ownership, including budgeting, forecasting, invoicing and expense management
• Develop and implement strategies to grow market share, secure new business opportunities and maximise FBO revenues
• Provide regular updates to senior management on incidents, departmental performance, budgets and operational priorities
• Support out-of-hours operations and provide shift coverage when required

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience within FBO and/or ground handling operations
• Proven experience managing operational teams in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong leadership and performance management capabilities
• Excellent commercial awareness with experience in budgeting, forecasting and P&L management
• In‑depth knowledge of ground handling procedures, staff rostering and operational planning
• Demonstrated ability to drive business performance and cost optimisation
• Experience delivering exceptional, 5‑star customer service
• Strong knowledge of national and international aviation regulations and their impact on operational requirements
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships across operational and professional boundaries
• Experience managing complex operational issues and high‑pressure situations
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with the flexibility to work the hours required to support operational demands
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise effectively
• A highly motivated people person with excellent interpersonal skills
• Full valid driving licence
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid airside security pass

Advantageous

• Previous experience in a similar role within the business aviation industry
• Meticulous on safety and security compliance
• Experience in business plan development and execution
• Demonstrated experience in managing flight operations and general ground handling activities
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities

Benefits

• Competitive Group Pension Scheme
• Comprehensive Life Assurance *
• Comprehensive Income Protection *
• Comprehensive Private Healthcare (after successful passing of probation) *
• Free Car Parking
• 2 Paid Volunteering Days each calendar year (subject to line manager approval)
• Investment in Training, Qualifications and Professional Development

*(Subject to insurance underwriting)

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 20 working days then your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.