Vetting Manager

Abm; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global facilities management company is seeking a Vetting Operations Manager to oversee security compliance and vetting functions at Heathrow Airport. This role requires leadership in national vetting teams and ensuring alignment with CAA regulations. Ideal candidates will possess significant experience in vetting and aviation security, alongside excellent data management and organizational skills. This full-time position operates on a 12-month FTC with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

24/7 GP access for you and family

Mental Health support and Life Event Counseling

Get Fit Programme

Financial and legal support

Cycle to work scheme

Access to Perks at Work app for discounts and offers

Responsibilities

• Lead national vetting and ID pass teams, ensuring compliant and efficient processes.
• Develop and maintain vetting and ID policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory changes.
• Provide expert guidance on vetting, ID, and employment-related compliance.
• Manage departmental budgets and review monthly invoices, resolving discrepancies.
• Lead, develop, and performance-manage national vetting and ID teams.

Skills

Senior experience in vetting, compliance, or aviation security operations

Strong knowledge of CAA regulations and airport ID pass requirements

Expertise in vetting, screening, and referencing processes

Excellent data management, reporting, and organisational skills

Strong leadership and stakeholder management

Effective communication abilities

Ability to drive continuous improvement

Job description

LOCATION: Heathrow Airport

SHIFT PATTERN: Monday to Friday - 09:00 - 17:30 but as business requirements if things change, 40 HOURS PER WEEK

CONTRACT: 12 month FTC

SALARY: Competitive

Overview

The Vetting Operations Manager leads the end‑to‑end vetting, ID pass, and security compliance function across the UK aviation business. The role ensures full compliance with CAA and airport regulations, manages national vetting and ID teams, oversees authorised signatory duties, and drives continuous improvement to support safe, efficient, and scalable operations.

Key Responsibilities

Security Pass & Vetting Operations

• Lead national vetting and ID pass teams, ensuring compliant, accurate, and efficient processes.
• Implement best‑practice security pass procedures aligned with CAA and airport standards.
• Support operational leaders with licensing, recruitment, and onboarding requirements.

Policies, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain vetting and ID policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory changes.
• Identify process gaps and implement corrective actions to strengthen compliance and resilience.
• Exercise authority to approve or refuse passes based on documentation standards.

Stakeholder Support

• Provide expert guidance to managers on vetting, ID, and employment‑related compliance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to internal and external stakeholders.

Authorised Signatory Duties

• Act as an authorised signatory across required airports.
• Maintain the authorised signatory list and ensure all remain trained and compliant.
• Oversee full referencing checks, including employment history, gaps, HMRC, overseas checks, and translations.

Screening & Regulatory Compliance

• Manage suppliers for GSAT, CRC, CTC, and other screening requirements.
• Ensure screening quality, timelines, and regulatory compliance.

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of all vetting and ID pass activity.
• Track applications, renewals, expiries, and pass returns.
• Produce monthly dashboards and compliance reports.

Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets and review monthly invoices, resolving discrepancies.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Build strong relationships with airport authorities, internal teams, and external partners.
• Ensure excellent customer service across all passes‑issuing functions.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and performance‑manage national vetting and ID teams.
• Oversee workforce planning, productivity reporting, and workload distribution.

Business Development & TUPE

• Develop commercially viable vetting and ID services for external clients.
• Support TUPE processes and ensure compliant onboarding of transferring staff.

Audit, Training & Governance

• Conduct internal and supplier audits (Right to Work, Modern Slavery, Airside ID, vetting).
• Deliver training on CAA and company standards.
• Approve new administrators on ID systems.

Health & Safety & Projects

• Ensure vetting operations comply with H&S policies.
• Contribute to cross‑functional projects and business initiatives.

Required Skills & Experience

• Senior experience in vetting, compliance, or aviation security operations.
• Strong knowledge of CAA regulations and airport ID pass requirements.
• Expertise in vetting, screening, and referencing processes.
• Excellent data management, reporting, and organisational skills.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication abilities.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

We’re proud to offer a great range of benefits including:

• 24/7 GP: Both you and your immediate family can speak to a UK‑based GP from the comfort of your own home
• Mental Health support and Life Event Counseling
• Get Fit Programme
• Financial and legal support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access Perks at Work, our innovative employee app where you can find:
• Perks: discounts, gift cards, cashback, and exclusive offers
• Life: Search for resources and tools on topics ranging from family and life to health, money and work
• Support: Online chat or telephone service for urgent support in a crisis

About ABM

ABM (NYSE: ABM) is one of the world’s largest providers of integrated facility, engineering, and infrastructure solutions. Every day, over 100,000 team members deliver essential services that make spaces cleaner, safer, and efficient, enhancing the overall occupant experience.

ABM serves a wide range of market sectors including commercial real estate, aviation, mission critical, and manufacturing and distribution. With over $8 billion in annual revenue and a blue‑chip client base, ABM delivers innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that enhance facilities and empower clients to achieve their goals. Committed to creating smarter, more connected spaces, ABM is investing in the future to meet evolving challenges and build a healthier, thriving world. ABM: Driving possibility, together.

ABM are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief. We are proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme.