Head of Airspace Services

Sagentia; Bristol; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation consultancy in Bristol is seeking a Head of Airspace Services to develop and execute strategic plans for business growth. This role requires a proven leader with expertise in the UK aviation market and the ability to drive operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will manage teams, oversee P&L, and ensure regulatory compliance while fostering relationships with key clients. Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Benefits

Company Profit Share Scheme

Generous Holiday Allowance

Employee Assistance Programme

Private Healthcare provided by Bupa

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a commercial role in UK aviation.
• Proven ability to develop and execute business development plans.
• Relevant professional qualifications in the aviation sector.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term strategic plan.
• Manage the combined P&L for the departments.
• Oversee workforce planning and recruitment.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication skills

Team leadership

Experience in business development

Education

Degree in a related discipline

Job description

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Head of Airspace Services

Department: Airport and Airspace

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bristol

Description

Sagentia Aviation are proven aviation experts who deliver full lifecycle support across complex airspace, ATM and aerodrome system projects.

We provide the skills and capacity to support and manage regulation, safeguarding and certification within airspace, technical safety and CNS systems.

We have an enviable track record of success as a small consultancy within the aviation sector – (you can read more on our website: Aviation Expert insights).

Sagentia is a leading global regulatory, science and technology consultancy. It excels in research and development, safety and regulatory services, and technical programme delivery. The business has five practices operating internationally across the highly regulated markets of aviation, medical, defence, consumer, food and beverage, and industrial.

As part of our growth plans, we are looking for a talented, ambitious and self‑motivated leader with a proven track record in winning and delivering work in the UK's airspace and airports market.

This is a great opportunity for the right individual who will be the focal point for our business growth in civil aviation and the primary contact internally and externally for our business and growth.

This role requires a proven leader with deep domain knowledge across the aviation ecosystem, capable of driving technical excellence, ensuring regulatory compliance, fostering cross‑functional collaboration, and delivering sustainable revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Business Development

• Develop and execute the long‑term strategic plan, identifying market opportunities and potential for service expansion.
• Manage the combined P&L (Profit and Loss) for the departments, including budget forecasting, resource allocation, and operational efficiency improvement.
• Serve as the senior technical lead and subject matter expert in client engagements, driving sales cycles and contract negotiations.
• Identify and capitalise on cross‑selling opportunities, demonstrating the integrated value proposition for our capabilities from across Sagentia.

Team Management and Operational Excellence

• Provide direct line management, coaching, and mentorship to our aviation teams.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, performance reviews, and professional development to maintain a high‑calibre technical workforce.
• Ensure consistent methodologies, quality standards, and adherence to project deadlines across all consulting assignments.

Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Oversee strategic projects related to airport capacity planning, terminal operations, airspace optimisation studies, and master planning, and their compliance with ICAO and national regulatory standards.
• Direct consulting activities focused on the procurement, specification, integration, and validation of complex ATM technologies, including surveillance, communication systems, and the increase in automation across platforms and systems.
• Ensure the highest level of safety and technical accuracy in the design and validation of all Instrument Flight Procedures.
• Maintain and enforce rigorous quality assurance processes for all technical deliverables and final reports.

Regulatory Compliance and Industry Engagement

• Maintain expert knowledge of evolving global aviation regulations (ICAO, IATA, regional ANSP mandates) relevant to all three consulting areas.
• Represent the firm at key industry events, regulatory bodies, and conferences to enhance the consultancy's profile and influence industry standards.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Demonstrable experience in a commercial role (ie business development / sales / operational leadership) in UK aviation/airspace sector.
• Confident and credible presenting to and influencing senior leadership in Sagentia Aviation's civil aviation customers – ie major UK Airport Operators.
• Understands Sagentia Aviation's capability offering, UK airspace regulatory landscape with a deep understanding of Sagentia Aviation's customers and their pain points.
• Strategic thinker, proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive business development plans.
• Experience leading teams and coordinating resource in a matrix structure, including senior technical staff.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strategy development and deployment with respect to long‑term performance in a UK aviation consultancy context.
• Bidding for UK aviation consultancy projects into public and/or industry clients.
• Commercial (Contract Law) acumen, good commercial acumen to understand company drivers and secure profitable work packages.
• Degree qualified or calibre, ideally in a related discipline.
• Relevant professional qualifications for your area of expertise.
• Relevant software capability to manage work deliverables.

Benefits

At Sagentia Aviation, we believe in rewarding our people and supporting their wellbeing. Alongside our competitive salaries we offer a comprehensive benefits package including Company Profit Share Scheme, Generous Holiday Allowance with the ability to buy and sell holiday, Employee Assistance Programme, 24 Hour access to GP and Mental Health support along with access to hundreds of high street discounts, private healthcare provided by Bupa and more. As a consultancy our people are our biggest asset, and we aim to nurture and develop our staff to achieve their full potential.