Principal Aerodrome Inspector

Civil Aviation Authority; Manchester, Stirling; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Civil Aviation Authority seeks a Principal Aerodromes Inspector – Ground Handling to oversee regulatory audits at UK Licensed and Certified Aerodromes and Heliports, reporting to the AAA Manager Aerodromes & ATM.

The role requires strong leadership, risk-based oversight, and collaboration with industry stakeholders. It offers hybrid working across Gatwick and related sites, with National Security Vetting requirements for appointment.

Qualifications

• Auditing skills and techniques in a regulatory context.
• Experience in Ground Handling operations and safety oversight.
• Ability to lead and mentor teams to achieve regulatory outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct regulatory oversight audits of UK aerodromes and heliports.
• Act as Oversight or Sector Manager when required.
• Lead regulatory projects and policy discussions to ensure proportionate risk-based regulation.
• Provide briefings and present clear, balanced recommendations.

Skills

Auditing skills

Regulatory oversight

People leadership

Communication skills

Safety Management System

Education

Professional level qualification

Job description

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

Date: 6 Oct 2026

Location: Gatwick, GB

Principal Aerodromes Inspector – Ground Handling (5598)

Salary: Upto £75,000 - dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Full Time permanent

Security Level: SC

Location: Gatwick, Manchester, Stirling, Hybrid

Visa Restrictions: This position does not currently offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: 20 October

Interview Date: TBC October / November

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

You will be accountable to the AAA Manager Aerodromes & ATM for the regulatory oversight of Ground Handling Operations at allocated UK Licensed and Certified Aerodromes and Heliports and in so doing, discharging the obligations devolved to the CAA under the terms of UK law and the UK Air Navigation Order.

• The planning and conduct of a programme of effective regulatory oversight audits of UK Licensed and Certified Aerodromes and Heliports in accordance with the requirements of UK legislation and the UK ANO (as amended).
• Acting as Oversight Manager or Sector Manager (if required) for allocated Entities to ensure shared intelligence on industry performance that will be used to exercise regulatory oversight based on safety performance and in accordance with the principles and practices of Better Regulation.
• Ensuring the completion of all regulatory activity leading to the issue of Aerodrome Licences and certificates (or variation thereof) and Authorisations (as Accountable Manager) in accordance with the provisions of the UK requirements for Aerodrome Certification and the UK ANO as appropriate. In achieving this, the post holder will meet CAA business performance requirements in its dealing with industry stakeholders.
• Managing allocated resources to meet stakeholder expectations for the assessment of competence of licensed operational staff and where necessary ensuring Aerodrome Operators complete specified remedial action whenever the competence of licensed individuals is in doubt. In achieving this, the post holder will meet CAA business performance requirements in its dealing with industry stakeholders
• Participating fully and effectively in discussion on matters of regulatory policy and procedures aimed at achieving effective regulation in a manner proportionate to risk. The post holder will act proactively in identifying the need for new, or amendments to existing, policies and procedures.
• Deputising as required for Manager Aerodromes & ATM.
• Managing resource allocation to achieve full and consistent regulatory outcomes within budgetary constraints.
• Providing support to CAAi contracts as required. When doing so, ensuring the quality and timeliness of the technical outputs meets contract and customer expectations and that time recording/travel expenses are submitted in a timely fashion.
• Understanding and applying principles of Performance Based Oversight consistent with the wider CAA approach to Performance Based Regulation.
• Leading and directing high profile CAA projects and initiatives as necessary

About You

Not only will you bring the technical and operational expertise required for the role, but you will also be an inspiring people leader who can support, develop and motivate others while delivering high-quality outcomes in a complex and evolving environment.

To be successful, you will have a proven track record of leading and developing individuals and teams to achieve organisational objectives. You will be confident in creating an inclusive and high-performing culture, enabling people to perform at their best while fostering engagement, accountability and continuous improvement.

You will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a confident and approachable style that allows you to build effective relationships and influence a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders. You will be comfortable communicating through a variety of channels and formats, adapting your approach to meet the needs of different audiences.

You will also have the ability to analyse complex issues, evaluate information, and develop clear, well-reasoned recommendations. You will be able to present supporting arguments and decisions in a concise, accessible and balanced way, helping to drive effective outcomes and informed decision-making.

Must have a detailed understanding of the safety regulatory requirements associated with the planning, provision and operation ofGround Handling Services in Aerodromes. In this regard, a detailed knowledge of the following documents is essential: -

• ICAO Annex 14
• ICAO Annex 19
• Various CAPs including (inter alia):
  • CAP 168 – Licensing of Aerodromes
  • IGOM – IATA Ground Operations Manual
  • AHM – IATA Airport Handling Manual
  • Relevant sections of the UK Air Navigation Order.

You will demonstrate a sound understanding of the principles of Safety and Quality Management and will have or have held one of the following:

• Practical experience of the provision of Ground Handling Operations in accordance with a Safety Management System (preferably having held specified Safety Accountabilities and Responsibilities).
• Professional level qualification and/or experience of working in ground safety, aviation industry or regulatory environment.

You will have completed training in (and will have experience of) risk management techniques in a Ground Handling environment and will have the ability to assess the effectiveness of an SMS at expert level.

You will have completed training in (and will have extensive experience of) auditing skills and techniques, and typically, an appropriate combination of:

• practical experience at management level in Ground Handling operations,
• relevant professional qualification or industry equivalent.
• previous experience in a regulatory role; and
• sound understanding of the principles of Safety Management, including the ability to assess the effectiveness of an SMS.

You will be required to provide briefings of technical matters to a range of audiences, including expert witness input as required, and must therefore have a confident but approachable style, be comfortable in communicating in a range of formats and be able to present issues and supporting arguments in a concise yet comprehensive manner.

Additional Information

Please note that the teams work on a hybrid basis and a several of the team work across various locations

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 we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken.For this role this will need to be 5 years.

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.

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, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

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, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (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: 20 October

Interview Date: TBC October / November

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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