Head of Business Development and Operations.

Civil Aviation Authority; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

CAA International (CAAi) in the United Kingdom is recruiting a Head of Business Development and Operations to lead the commercial growth and international development of CAAi's portfolio. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will own strategic market growth, partnerships and revenue generation across consultancy, training, e-examinations and digital services.

You will manage a large international pipeline, direct major bids and negotiations, and build lasting relationships with aviation

Qualifications

• Proven track record of securing and growing international business within aviation, consultancy, professional services, technology-enabled services or other regulated sectors.
• Significant business development and commercial leadership experience, including ownership of major sales pipelines and revenue growth targets.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and presentation skills with credibility at Director General, Chief Executive and Ministerial level.
• Strong commercial acumen including bid leadership, proposal development, contract negotiation and strategic account management.
• Experience creating strategic partnerships, consortium arrangements and international delivery alliances.
• Exceptional relationship management skills across government, regulatory and commercial environments.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing and executing growth strategies, business plans and market expansion initiatives.
• Experience overseeing complex projects, programmes or service portfolios.
• IT literacy covering the full range of business and project management applications.
• Sound understanding of quality management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Able to communicate effectively with government, industry and staff at all levels.
• Educated to degree level in a commercial, technical or relevant discipline, or able to demonstrate an equivalent combination of professional experience, leadership achievement and commercial expertise.
• Additional language capability would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the Business Development Pillar of the CAAi Strategy, translating strategic objectives into measurable business plans, growth initiatives and commercial outcomes.
• Own a substantial commercial pipeline, including opportunity identification, qualification, forecasting, conversion and account growth.
• Ensure robust business development, client relationship and pipeline management information is maintained, providing accurate forecasting, performance insights and timely reporting to support Executive Team decision-making, financial planning, Board oversight and Parent Company governance requirements.
• Lead market analysis, customer insight and competitor intelligence activities to identify emerging opportunities, inform investment priorities and strengthen CAAi's competitive position.
• Develop and secure strategic relationships with aviation authorities, governments, international organisations, development agencies and industry stakeholders worldwide.
• Lead major bids, proposals, commercial negotiations and contract awards to secure profitable new business opportunities.
• Deliver annual revenue, profitability and growth targets across consultancy, training, e-examinations, digital services and technical advisory offerings.
• Build strategic partnerships, consortium arrangements and delivery networks that strengthen CAAi's market position and international reach.
• Lead and develop the Business Development, Marketing & Communications and New Products functions, ensuring alignment between market opportunities, customer engagement, brand positioning and service innovation.
• Identify and develop emerging market opportunities, new service offerings and innovative commercial solutions that strengthen future pipeline growth and support delivery of CAAi's strategic business plan objectives.
• Represent CAAi internationally at conferences, industry events and high-level stakeholder engagements, strengthening relationships and enhancing awareness of CAAi's expertise and services.
• Where required to support operational delivery, oversee major projects and programmes, ensuring delivery quality, commercial performance, customer satisfaction and positive aviation outcomes.
• Manage resources, business risks and operational performance across the portfolio.
• Lead and develop high-performing internal and external multidisciplinary teams, creating a customer-focused and commercially driven culture.
• Work collaboratively with Executive Team colleagues and Heads of Function to identify, develop and convert opportunities, recognising that business development, client engagement and operational excellence are shared responsibilities across CAAi.
• Contribute to CAAi strategy through Executive Committee participation, business planning, financial planning and organisational decision-making.

Job description

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Head of Business Development and Operations.

Date: 13 Oct 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

Salary: £85,000 up to £96,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Aviation House, Gatwick – average 2 days in the office per week

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 26th October 2026

Interview Date: 2nd - 6th November 2026 (Stage 1 - Virtual)

9th - 12th November 2026 (Stage 2 - In Person - Aviation House Gatwick).

CAA International (CAAi) is the commercial and technical advisory arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) and a purpose-led Social Enterprise. Working internationally, we provide consultancy, training, e-examinations and digital solutions to aviation regulators, governments, development bodies and industry organisations. Through sharing expertise, building capability and supporting the adoption of international good practice, we help our customers improve organisational performance and contribute to higher aviation standards worldwide.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director and serving as a member of the CAAi Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Business Development and Operations will lead the commercial growth and international development of CAAi's global portfolio. This is primarily a business development leadership role with responsibility for delivering the Business Development Pillar of the CAAi Strategy. The postholder will lead market growth, strategic partnerships, client account development and revenue generation across consultancy, training, e-examinations, digital services and new product development, translating strategic objectives into measurable business plans and commercial outcomes.

The successful candidate will own a significant international pipeline, lead major bids and commercial pursuits, and build long-term relationships with aviation authorities, governments, international organisations and industry leaders. Through this growth, the role will extend the reach and impact of CAAi's expertise internationally, supporting the UK CAA Strategic objective of developing global relationships and promoting world-leading aviation standards.

Key Accountabilities

• Own and lead delivery of the Business Development Pillar of the CAAi Strategy, translating strategic objectives into measurable business plans, growth initiatives and commercial outcomes.
• Own a substantial commercial pipeline, including opportunity identification, qualification, forecasting, conversion and account growth.
• Ensure robust business development, client relationship and pipeline management information is maintained, providing accurate forecasting, performance insights and timely reporting to support Executive Team decision-making, financial planning, Board oversight and Parent Company governance requirements.
• Lead market analysis, customer insight and competitor intelligence activities to identify emerging opportunities, inform investment priorities and strengthen CAAi's competitive position.
• Develop and secure strategic relationships with aviation authorities, governments, international organisations, development agencies and industry stakeholders worldwide.
• Lead major bids, proposals, commercial negotiations and contract awards to secure profitable new business opportunities.
• Deliver annual revenue, profitability and growth targets across consultancy, training, e-examinations, digital services and technical advisory offerings.
• Build strategic partnerships, consortium arrangements and delivery networks that strengthen CAAi's market position and international reach.
• Lead and develop the Business Development, Marketing & Communications and New Products functions, ensuring alignment between market opportunities, customer engagement, brand positioning and service innovation.
• Identify and develop emerging market opportunities, new service offerings and innovative commercial solutions that strengthen future pipeline growth and support delivery of CAAi's strategic business plan objectives.
• Represent CAAi internationally at conferences, industry events and high-level stakeholder engagements, strengthening relationships and enhancing awareness of CAAi's expertise and services.
• Where required to support operational delivery, oversee major projects and programmes, ensuring delivery quality, commercial performance, customer satisfaction and positive aviation outcomes.
• Manage resources, business risks and operational performance across the portfolio.
• Lead and develop high-performing internal and external multidisciplinary teams, creating a customer-focused and commercially driven culture.
• Work collaboratively with Executive Team colleagues and Heads of Function to identify, develop and convert opportunities, recognising that business development, client engagement and operational excellence are shared responsibilities across CAAi.
• Contribute to CAAi strategy through Executive Committee participation, business planning, financial planning and organisational decision-making.

About You

To be considered for the you must have a:

• Proven track record of securing and growing international business within aviation, consultancy, professional services, technology-enabled services or other regulated sectors.
• Significant business development and commercial leadership experience, including ownership of major sales pipelines and revenue growth targets.
• Outstanding communication, influencing and presentation skills with credibility at Director General, Chief Executive and Ministerial level.
• Strong commercial acumen including bid leadership, proposal development, contract negotiation and strategic account management.
• Experience creating strategic partnerships, consortium arrangements and international delivery alliances.
• Exceptional relationship management skills across government, regulatory and commercial environments.
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing and executing growth strategies, business plans and market expansion initiatives.
• Experience overseeing complex projects, programmes or service portfolios.
• IT literacy covering the full range of business and project management applications.
• Sound understanding of quality management and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Able to communicate effectively with government, industry and staff at all levels.
• Educated to degree level in a commercial, technical or relevant discipline, or able to demonstrate an equivalent combination of professional experience, leadership achievement and commercial expertise.
• Additional language capability would be advantageous.

Why Join Us?

CAAi offers a unique opportunity to combine commercial leadership with genuine international impact. As a social enterprise, our success enables us to extend the reach of UK aviation expertise around the world through consultancy, training, e-examinations and digital services. Our work supports aviation organisations in building capability, improving performance and adopting international good practice. Every new client relationship and commercial opportunity contributes both to CAAi growth and to our purpose of helping raise aviation standards globally. Through this work, CAAi supports the UK CAA strategic ambition to strengthen international relationships and promote world-leading aviation expertise.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA / CAAi, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted you must have the right to work in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

The CAA is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct. To help ensure transparency and protect the independence and reputation of the CAA, candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Declaration of Interests form, disclosing any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest that could influence, or be seen to influence, their ability to perform the role objectively and impartially.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years' time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme . If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligenceby candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factuallyaccurateand taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has beenidentified(presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: 26th October 2026

Interview Date: 2nd - 6th November 2026 (Stage 1 - Virtual).

9th - 12th November 2026 (Stage 2 - In Person - Aviation House Gatwick).

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