Managing Director Training and Aviation

Babcock International; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace firm is seeking a Managing Director to oversee the Training and Aviation sectors. The role involves strategic leadership, operational delivery, and fostering high-performance teams. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in managing large programs and stakeholder relationships. The position offers competitive compensation and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Holiday Trading benefit

Qualifications

• Substantial experience running a P&L or large programme.
• Extensive leadership capability of diverse teams.
• Experience in stakeholder/customer management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction and operational delivery.
• Drive growth through innovation and customer-centric solutions.
• Build and nurture high-performing teams.

Skills

Business Development

Financial Acumen

Leadership Experience

Management Experience

Customer Relationship Management

Job description

Job Title: Managing Director Training

Job Title: Managing Director Aviation

Location: Hybrid Working UK with travel

Compensation: Competitive Salary

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF69669

Lead the Future of Defence and Aerospace Innovation

At Babcock were working to create a safe and secure world together. If you join us you can play your part as a Managing Director Training and Managing Director - Aviation at our UK sites.

The role

We have two opportunities for Managing Director positions due to internal promotion. One role will lead our Training business and the other our UK Aviation business. You’ll be at the helm of one of Babcock's most dynamic business units within the Land and Aviation sector. These are rare opportunities to shape the future of defence and aerospace training drive operational excellence and lead large scale regulated contracts that make a real-world impact.

Day-to-day you’ll define strategy deliver complex operations to critical customers and foster a high-performance inclusive culture. With Babcock’s re‑entry into the FTSE 100 and a renewed focus on growth and transformation there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading strategic direction and operational delivery across the business unit
• Building and nurturing high‑performing safety‑focused teams
• Driving growth through innovation and customer‑centric solutions
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Championing Babcock’s values and culture across all levels of the organisation

These roles are full time 37 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days in the office / onsite and days working from home.

Essential Experience

• Leading large scale complex and regulated contracts with full financial accountability
• Inspiring leadership of diverse teams in high‑pressure environments
• Strategic thinking with a proven growth mindset
• Building inclusive safety‑first cultures with high engagement
• Strong commercial acumen and risk management expertise

Qualifications

We value difference and don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education provided you can show the required level of experience and / or willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

Selection Guidance

All applications must be submitted with a CV & Cover letter which should outline your experience against these key parameters. You must be able to demonstrate;

• Substantial experience running a P&L or large programme together with the size / scale of the delivery
• Extensive Leadership capability of teams in both scale and complexity
• Experience of Stakeholder / customer management

If selected you will be required to attend an Assessment Centre on the 8th December in Bristol followed by a final stage interview in London on the 10th December.

As part of this assessment process you will undertake psychometric assessments.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC).

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth nationality current or former citizenship and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - ().

Benefits

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP annual health check and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This window opens February through to March annually.
• Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working days paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical mental and financial wellbeing.

About Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations protect communities and build a better world. To continue we must adapt advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

Equal Opportunity

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please email with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 21 / 11 / 2025

Key Skills

Business Development,Expense Management,Financial Acumen,Management Experience,Profit & Loss,Acquisitions,Investment Banking,Relationship Management,Social Media Management,Financial Modeling,Customer relationship management,Leadership Experience