Policy Specialist (Personnel Licensing)

Civil Aviation Authority; Gatwick; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Civil Aviation Authority is seeking a role-based specialist to support updating UK Aircrew Regulation and related guidance. You will assist inspectors across teams to ensure compliance with SARPs and standards, and help deliver high-quality regulatory outputs.

The role requires strong aviation licensing knowledge, a proactive approach to policy and international collaboration, and the ability to work within a hybrid UK environment at Gatwick.

Qualifications

• Specialist subject matter experience and knowledge of aviation personnel licensing, preference for Flight Crew, Air Traffic, or Aircraft Maintenance licensing.
• Wide knowledge of aviation matters with relevant experience and qualifications appropriate to post and level.
• Knowledge of UK and global legislation (ICAO, FAA, EU) and standards bodies.
• Experience communicating effectively at all levels and producing concise papers.

Responsibilities

• Develop policy in line with safety and business needs.
• Ensure standards and requirements are practical and effective.
• Respond to AAIB Safety Recommendations.
• Contribute to national and international aviation policy development.

Skills

Aviation licensing knowledge

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder communication

Multi-national collaboration

Education

Relevant professional qualifications or industry equivalent

Tools

IT platforms and applications

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Date: 10 Aug 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

Salary: Upto £65,000 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Full Time Permanent

Security Level: BPSS

Location: Gatwick / Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 24Aug 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

To ensure the timely updating of the UK Aircrew Regulation and its associated Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, to ensure that the UK remains compliant with Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and relevant Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), providing support to CAA Inspectors in the Flight Operations, the Investigations and Enforcement Team, other SARG capability teams and to the Shared Service Centre to provide the best service to students and holders of UK pilot licences.

• Policy developed consistently with safety and business needs, including CAA Business and individual Action Plans, and external drivers.
• Standards, legislation and requirements are developed using SMART principles and are practicable and effective.
• Respond to accepted AAIB Safety Recommendations.
• Adherence to CAA Regulatory and Management systems.
• Achievement of policy objectives and service standards.
• Effective and recognised contributions are made to national and international aviation policy development. Contribute to the SARG objective to be recognised as world leaders in safety regulation.
• Meeting expected CAA competences.
• Fully contribute as Chair/member of working or study groups as applicable.
• Influencing Safety and proportionality (Leading beyond authority). Deliver outcomes internationally to mitigate safety concerns or support IG / CAAi International contract delivery where appropriate
  • Escalating risks to the appropriate management level within SARG.

About You

• Have a specialist subject matter experience and knowledge of aviation personnel licensing, with a preference for Flight Crew, Air Traffic, or Aircraft Maintenance licensing.
• Wide knowledge of aviation matters with relevant experience and qualifications appropriate to individual post and level.
• Have a combination of specialised or practical experience and/or knowledge in the subject matter and underpinned by relevant professional qualifications or industry equivalent.
• Knowledge of relevant UK and global legislation (eg. ICAO, FAA, EU Regulations) and standards setting bodies (eg. BSi, CEN, LAA, BMAA & SAE) and appropriate levels in PBO, SMS, RIA, HF Better Regulation, risk assessment and project management is required.
• Collaborate across teams, with a flexible and adaptable work ethos, analytical and lateral thinker with an eye for detail.
• Able to participate in multi-discipline teams within the UK, and multi-national teams in the international arena.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels and to produce concise, unambiguous discussion papers for presentation at various bodies within the CAA and Industry.
• Confidently use a variety of IT platforms and applications
• High Quality of written and verbal communications within timescales.
• Experience of aviation auditing techniques, safety management or oversight.
• Experience in managing projects and administrative tasks, tracking progress against milestones.

Please note: Travel may be required to any part of the UK including Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and potentially world-wide

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.

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 values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

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

Closing Date: 24Aug 2026

Interview Date: WC 7 Sep in person

Job Segment: Compliance, Law, Project Manager, Aerospace, Legal, Aviation, Technology