National Aviation Security Director

Wilson James; Leigh Woods; Hybrid; GBP 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5.6 weeks annual leave

Employer Pension contributions

Financial wellbeing support

Life assurance

Specialist mental health & wellbeing

Online GP services

Discounts at hundreds of brands

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Referral scheme

Job summary

Wilson James is seeking an exceptional aviation security leader to join our Aviation Senior Leadership Team as an Aviation Director. You will provide strategic direction across our national UK aviation portfolio, ensuring regulatory compliance, client confidence and sustainable performance.

This is a career-defining opportunity for a senior executive with extensive experience leading regulated airport security operations at scale, building high-performing teams and shaping future growth.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior leadership experience within UK aviation security operations.
• Experience managing large frontline workforces in regulated environments.
• Knowledge of screening, access control and wider airport security functions.
• Experience working with airport operators, regulators and assurance teams.
• Proven track record delivering performance improvements and organisational change.
• Experience mobilising, transitioning or transforming regulated security operations.
• Strong commercial acumen with budgets and contractual delivery.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Visible leadership style with a focus on developing future leaders.
• Awareness of AvSec Level 3 requirements or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic aviation operations across multiple UK airport environments.
• Provide senior leadership and governance across complex, regulated security services.
• Drive operational excellence, resilience and service improvement.
• Build and develop high-performing leadership teams.
• Strengthen relationships with airport operators, clients, regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Lead mobilisation, transition and operational recovery programmes.
• Ensure the highest standards of security compliance, assurance and workforce competence.
• Shape future growth by contributing to bids, solution design, retention strategies and business development activity.

Skills

Aviation security leadership

Senior leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Contract delivery

Operational excellence

AvSec Level 3 qualification

Education

AvSec Level 3 qualification

Job description

Wilson James is seeking an exceptional aviation security leader to join our Aviation Senior Leadership Team as an Aviation Director. You will provide strategic direction across our national UK aviation portfolio, ensuring regulatory compliance, client confidence and sustainable performance.

This is a career-defining opportunity for a senior executive with extensive experience leading regulated airport security operations at scale, building high-performing teams and shaping future growth.