Operations Controller

Draken; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aviation service provider in the UK is seeking an Operations Controller to ensure the efficient delivery of aviation operations at Teesside Airport. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating daily flight operations, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations, and managing resources effectively. Candidates should have prior aviation experience, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment focused on operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of aviation operations is essential.
• Ability to manage multiple resources is required.
• Candidates must obtain SC Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily flight operations effectively.
• Monitor in-flight aircraft and respond to issues.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Aviation environment experience

Knowledge of civilian and military regulations

Analytical skills

Interpersonal abilities

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Calm under pressure

Education

Higher education (A-Level or equivalent)

Tools

Flight planning software

Crew rostering software

Job description

Draken Europe offers exciting careers that matter. We believe that mission success does not start with the mission itself. It begins with our people.

The Role

Draken Europe is seeking a highly motivated Operations Controller to join our dynamic team at Teesside Airport. This pivotal role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of our flying programme and deployed operations. If you thrive in a fast-paced aviation environment and have a passion for operational excellence, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Operate in accordance with Draken Europe’s Health and Safety Management System.
• Ensure all activities comply with SOPs, regulatory and legislative requirements.
• Act as the initial focal point for emergency response, executing actions per the Emergency Response Plan.

Operational Delivery

• Coordinate daily flight operations under the guidance of the Ops Control Leadership Team.
• Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of the flying programme.
• Monitor aircraft in-flight, respond to issues, and communicate updates.
• Lead planning and coordination of detachments away from the Main Operating Base.

Additional Duties

• Conduct legal and compliant aircrew and aircraft rostering when required.
• Maximise operational performance and revenue.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in out-of-hours callouts (additional remuneration provided).

Core Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in an aviation environment.
• Strong understanding of civilian and military aviation regulations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple resources in a dynamic setting.
• Demonstrated experience in managing change.
• Ability to obtain SC Clearance.

Desirable

• Experience in military fast-jet operations.
• Higher education (A-Level or equivalent).
• Familiarity with flight planning and crew rostering software.
• Exposure to both military and commercial aviation sectors.

Skills & Behaviours

• Highly numerate with strong analytical skills.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Effective communicator, adaptable to various audiences.
• Calm under pressure, deadline-driven, and solutions-focused.
• Builds credible, trusting relationships across teams and clients.

Communication & Collaboration

• Shares knowledge and best practices across teams.
• Communicates clearly and persuasively.
• Listens actively and responds constructively.
• Adapts communication style to suit different stakeholders.

Ready to take off with Draken Europe?

Apply now and become part of a team that delivers cutting-edge aviation services with precision, safety, and professionalism.

Our employee values

Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all.

To us, diversity means bringing your own perspective to the conversation; inclusion means having a voice - and equality means that your voice is heard.

At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken Europe team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect.

Intolerance has no place in our Company. We condemn it outright. Instead, we strive to create a culture where each person who joins our team feels they have the opportunity to succeed, to grow, and to work within an environment where they can be themselves.

We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications.

In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.

Whether it is adversarial support, electronic attack or customised rotary-wing training, we offer the most accurate and advanced readiness training in the industry. Our vast, differentiated fleet, cutting edge hardware and experienced instructors are engaged to help your mission take off.

Being ready is not only a matter of when. But where. We provide services in the UK, US and across the NATO countries. Making sure that our allies can manoeuvre around defeat and prepare to prevail.