Senior Drone Flight Operations Leader BVLOS UK

Skyports Drone Services; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Skyports Drone Services is seeking a Flight Operations Manager to lead the company’s flight operations from our Westcott facility near Aylesbury. You will oversee remote pilots, team leaders, and operations across multiple locations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of complex UAS missions, BVLOS and VLOS, in line with internal standards and customer commitments.

The role requires strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a proven ability to scale operations while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in aviation/UAS operations and safety-critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of UAS regulation and BVLOS/complex operations.
• Experience managing dispersed, remote teams across locations.
• Technical understanding of UAS platforms, ground control, and maintenance cycles.
• Ability to manage operational risk within formal safety management systems.
• Excellent communication with customers, regulators, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day flight operations delivery and planning.
• Oversee mission planning, pre-flight prep, execution, and close-out.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, ConOps, and regulatory approvals.
• Manage aircraft readiness, authorisations, and maintenance requirements.
• Own resource plans across people, aircraft, and Remote Operations Centres (ROCs).
• Lead safety reviews and incident investigations, driving corrective actions.

Skills

Operational leadership

Aviation operations

Multi-site teams

UAS regulations

Planning & organization

People management

Stakeholder management

Remote pilot experience

Job description

Skyports Drone Services is seeking a Flight Operations Manager to lead the company’s flight operations from our Westcott facility near Aylesbury. You will oversee remote pilots, team leaders, and operations across multiple locations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of complex UAS missions, BVLOS and VLOS, in line with internal standards and customer commitments.

The role requires strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and a proven ability to scale operations while maintaining