Operations Support Officer

Civil Aviation Authority; Gatwick; Hybrid; GBP 17,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities enable the industry to meet the highest safety standards. The Operations Support Officer role is Gatwick-based with two office days per week.

You will manage technical administrative processes to ensure adequate support and governance across Flight Operations. Responsibilities include processing approvals, cross-training, maintaining compliant records, and

Qualifications

• Experience as an administrator in a regulated environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical administrative processes for Flight Operations.
• Cross-train to cover multiple workstreams.
• Draft and issue Permissions, Approvals, Variations and Exemptions per regulatory requirements.
• Maintain compliant record-keeping across all Flight Operations.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders at various levels.
• Chair meetings as required and coordinate with relevant teams.

Skills

Experienced Administrator

MS Office

Teamwork

Organised

Attention to detail

Communication

Time management

Prioritisation

Tools

Excel

Word

Access

Outlook

Q-Pulse

SharePoint

Teams

Dynamics 365

Job description

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Operations Support Officer

Date: 13 Oct 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

Salary: Up to £28,500 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick – 2 days per week office attendance required

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Monday 26th October 2026

Interview Date: W/C Monday 2nd November 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The purpose of the role is to manage, on behalf of the Flight Operations managers within the Flight Operations Department, the technical administrative processes to ensure that support and Business Assurance processes are adequate for the Flight Operations department.

The role is very varied, and you will be required to cross-train to ensure all areas have sufficient cover during office hours.

Approvals that are currently managed by the Operations Support Officer team are as follows:

• Air Operator Certificate holders
• Aircraft Leasing Approvals
• Part-NCC (Non-Commercial operations with Complex motor-powered aircraft)
• Part-SPO (Specialised Operations)

IT packages that the team currently use are as follows:

• Excel
• Word
• Access
• Outlook
• Ideagen Quality Management (Q-Pulse)
• SharePoint
• Teams
• EPT - Dynamics 365
• Support Flight Operations oversight and its disciplines through effective Q-Pulse governance and planning, utilising PBR principles where appropriate.
• Oversee the delivery of PBO processes by engaging with the Oversight Manager and the team to ensure compliance.
• Assure the compliance of all operating models against documented procedures.
• Deliver standardisation of processes through training, influencing, monitoring and measuring to ensure a consistent approach to delivery across the whole of Flight Operations.
• Draft and issue Permissions, Approvals, Variations and Exemptions in line with the appropriate regulatory framework.
• Manage and oversee compliant record-keeping across all areas of Flight Operations in relation to the appropriate regulations.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders at a variety of levels as directed by business needs.
• Act as a focal point for all regulatory capture events, ensuring co‑ordination and engagement with appropriate stakeholders.
• Arrange and chair meetings.

About You

Essential skills and experience

• Experienced Administrator.
• Good IT Skills across Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work well in a team and on your own.
• Methodical and organised.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with a variety of internal and external people.
• Produce good quality, accurate work to deadlines.
• Flexibility: Willing and able to perform a variety of tasks and workstreams. The postholder must be prepared to cross-train when necessary and as the business needs, to ensure all workstreams are covered.
• Confidence to ask questions and seek resolutions.
• Ability to deal with challenging customers or stakeholders.
• Proven time management skills including an ability to effectively prioritise in a busy environment to meet business needs and customer needs.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to read and absorb guidance material.
• Ability to absorb and retain both verbal and written information and instructions.
• Ability to absorb and use technical information.

Desirable skills and experience

• Previous experience within the aviation industry
• Experience within a regulated environment

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, 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.

BPSS -

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

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