Operations Controller

Draken Europe; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% pension match

Bonus incentives

Discounted PMI

Electric car scheme

Tech vouchers

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Draken Europe is seeking an Operations Controller based at Teesside International Airport to coordinate day-to-day flight operations and support aircraft and aircrew planning. You will liaise with internal departments and external stakeholders to ensure programme delivery meets safety and regulatory standards.

The role requires strong decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment, with after-hours callouts and potential deployments across locations.

Qualifications

• Three years’ experience in an aviation environment or similar settings.
• Knowledge of civilian and military aviation regulations and operating requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational setting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day flying programme to meet safety and efficiency targets.
• Support rostering and planning of aircrew and aircraft in a compliant manner.
• Act as the primary operational coordination point for activities at the base and deployed locations.

Skills

Aviation operations

Regulatory knowledge

Multi-tasking

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

A-Levels or equivalent

Tools

Flight planning systems

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/PowerPoint)

Job description

Draken offer exciting careers that matter.

We believe that mission success does not start with the mission itself. It begins with our people.

Draken also believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.

About the Role

We are recruiting for an Operations Controller to join our Operations team based at Teesside International Airport.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the safe, compliant and efficient delivery of Draken Europe's flying programme. Working under the guidance of the Operations Control Leadership Team, you will coordinate day-to-day flight operations, support aircraft and aircrew planning, liaise with customers and operational stakeholders, and ensure operational activities are delivered to the highest standards.

As the focal point for operational coordination at the base, you will work within a fast-paced environment where decision-making, communication and problem-solving skills are essential. The successful candidate will also act as the initial point of contact for emergency response situations and support deployed operations across the business when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day flying programme to ensure operational performance targets are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Support the rostering and planning of aircrew and aircraft in a compliant and effective manner.
• Act as the primary operational coordination point for activities at your assigned base and deployed locations.
• Liaise with internal departments including Flight Operations, Engineering and Aircrew to ensure successful programme delivery.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, aerodromes and external stakeholders.
• Monitor aircraft movements and in-flight activity, responding to delays, technical issues and operational changes as they arise.
• Lead the planning and coordination of operational detachments away from the Main Operating Base.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with company procedures, regulatory requirements and safety standards.
• Report policy breaches and operational concerns to the Operations Control Leadership Team.
• Undertake immediate actions in response to incidents or emergencies in accordance with the Company Emergency Response Plan.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and efficiency gains.
• Participate in an out-of-hours callout rota (additional remuneration applies).

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of three years' experience within an aviation environment.
• Knowledge of civilian and military aviation regulations and operating requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Proven experience of managing change and adapting to evolving business requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions and remain calm under pressure.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC).
• Experience within a military fast-jet operation.
• Exposure to both military and commercial aviation environments.
• Knowledge of flight planning, crew planning and rostering systems.
• Higher education qualification such as A-Levels or equivalent.
• Experience coordinating operational resources across multiple locations.

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 e quality means that your voice is heard.

At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken 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.

About Us

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.