Pilot Support Manager

easyJet Airline Company PLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 20% bonus

7% pension contributions

Medical Cash Plan

Excellent staff travel benefits

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Annual holiday credit

Flexible benefits

Job summary

easyJet Airline Company PLC is seeking a Pilot Support Manager to lead the pilot community at the Southend base, with occasional Luton support. You will drive operational performance, manage conduct, absence, and return-to-work processes while engaging with pilots and cross-functional teams.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder influence, and experience in a regulated environment. On-site work at Southend with some travel to Luton, plus on-call duties may apply.

Qualifications

• Experience leading sizeable teams in a regulated operational setting.
• Strong track record delivering performance against KPIs and objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and break down silos.

Responsibilities

• Support the Base Captain in leading the pilot community and delivering strong operational performance.
• Provide visible leadership, manage performance and wellbeing initiatives for pilots.
• Deliver engagement plans and recognise contributions across the pilot community.
• Support health and safety standards and fatigue management with Safety/FRMS teams.
• Build relationships with industrial bodies, suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Assist with on-call duties and disruptive operations to ensure customer experience.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

HR policies & ER

Unionised environment experience

One Team culture

IT systems (Outlook/Excel)

Job description

Job Description

Description

PILOT SUPPORT MANAGER – SOUTHEND

Please note, this role also provides support to our Luton base when required.

We are easyJet, a FTSE listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you're reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you'll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We're on a mission to make low-cost travel easy and whatever your role here, you'll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe's best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours. We are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

READ ON IF YOU

• Have experience managing or supporting large teams in a regulated operational environment.
• Have experience managing performance, employee relations processes and operational KPIs.
• Enjoy building strong relationships, driving engagement and delivering results through people.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.
• Are confident working cross-functionally and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Can be based onsite in Southend five days per week, with occasional travel to our Luton base as required.

THE TEAM

The Pilot Support Manager sits within the Flight Operations function and plays a key role in supporting our pilots and operational teams. Working closely with the Base Captain and a wide range of internal stakeholders, you'll help create a high-performance culture built on engagement, collaboration, safety and operational excellence.

THE ROLE

As Pilot Support Manager, you'll support the Base Captain in leading and engaging the pilot community while helping to deliver strong operational performance across the base.

You'll provide visible and proactive leadership, supporting pilots through performance management, wellbeing initiatives and employee engagement activities, while ensuring the effective delivery of Flight Operations priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the operational effectiveness of the base and contributing to Flight Operations objectives.
• Managing pilot performance relating to conduct, absence management, return-to-work processes, disciplinary matters and grievances.
• Supporting the delivery of the Flight Operations engagement plan and promoting recognition across the pilot community.
• Assisting with the Airwaves survey and ensuring meaningful action plans are implemented.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with industrial bodies and works councils where applicable.
• Supporting the delivery of Health and Safety standards across the base.
• Working closely with Safety and FRMS teams to support the management of pilot fatigue.
• Developing strong working relationships with third-party suppliers, including engineering, aircraft provisioning and ground handling teams.
• Collaborating with Ground Operations and Cabin Services to help deliver excellent customer experiences, particularly during disruption.
• Supporting the administration of command progression processes alongside the Base Captain.
• Providing clear and effective communication to pilots through a variety of channels.
• Participating in on-call duties when required.

Requirements of the Role

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience leading and managing sizeable teams.
• A strong track record of operational delivery against strategic objectives and multiple KPIs.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience working effectively across functions and breaking down organisational silos.
• Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Resilience and the ability to prioritise effectively in a constantly changing environment.
• Experience of frontline people management.
• Confidence using IT systems and applications including Outlook, Excel and communication platforms.
• Knowledge of HR policies and employee relations processes.
• Experience working within a unionised environment and engaging with union representatives is highly desirable.
• A passion for creating inclusive, high-performing teams and championing easyJet's One Team culture.

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN

• Up to 20% maximum bonus
• 7% pension contributions
• Medical Cash Plan
• Excellent staff travel benefits
• 25 days of annual leave + bank holidays
• Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday
• Various flexible benefits and extras

PRACTICALITIES

This is a full-time, permanent role working 40 hours per week.

The role is based onsite at our Southend base. The successful candidate will also provide support to our Luton base, so occasional travel to Luton will be required. Working patterns may include weekends, evenings, and participation in an on-call rota, depending on business needs.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.

Business Area

Operations

Primary Location

United Kingdom-London-London Southend Airport