Role: Strategic operational Manager
Location: Gloucestershire Airport
Primary Objective of the Role
To support the Accountable Manager in delivering strategic, operational, and financial goals, Gloucester and support the CTKI and FSTD Manager roles. This high-impact role acts as a strategic coordinator, analytical advisor, and operational enabler. It ensures the smooth execution of key initiatives, regulatory compliance, and commercial performance as the Academy scales.
The postholder will be a proactive, analytical individual able to anticipate needs, manage complexity, and contribute meaningfully to strategic initiatives within a dynamic aviation training environment. A strong ability to build trust across stakeholders, both internal and external, is essential.
Key Competencies & Behaviours
1. Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen
Definition: Understands broader business goals, identifies growth opportunities, and supports strategic decision-making.
Behaviours:
• Anticipates business needs and proactively gathers insights (e.g., new courses, training contracts, fleet strategy).
• Synthesises financial data (e.g., course-level breakeven, margin modelling) into executive-ready outputs.
• Tracks KPIs for scaling and profitability; identifies cost drivers and margin risks.
• Benchmarks course pricing and supports commercial strategy and decision-making.
• Contributes data to board briefings, management reviews, and business plans.
Aviation Industry Awareness & Regulatory Insight
Definition: Understands helicopter flight training operations and associated UK CAA regulatory frameworks.
Behaviours:
• Prepares documentation and audit materials for CAA inspections and internal reviews.
• Interprets and briefs changes to UK aviation regulations (e.g., Part-FCL, ORA, ORS4/5/9).
• Supports maintenance of CAA-approved manuals (e.g., TM, OM, SMS, CMM).
• Liaises with regulators and external ATOs to maintain operational compliance.
Project Coordination & Execution
Definition: Manages Academy strategic and operational projects from planning to completion.
Behaviours:
• Creates and monitors project plans.
• Develops and tracks Gantt charts and dashboards for strategic initiatives.
• Tracks and oversees project milestones and risks—e.g., training throughput vs revenue goals.
• Coordinates project delivery across training, operations, finance, and marketing.
Stakeholder Management, Communication & Relationship Building
Definition: Builds trusted relationships and represents the Academy professionally across internal and external interfaces.
Behaviours:
• Demonstrates a personable, professional and customer-oriented approach.
• Prioritises long-term stakeholder and client relationships.
• Acts as liaison for key partners, regulators, prospective clients and cadet sponsors.
• Prepares communications, stakeholder briefings, and board papers.
• Manages sensitive communications tactfully (e.g. pricing, complaints, regulatory discussions).
Operational Agility & Problem Solving
Definition: Responds flexibly to changing needs and applies sound judgement under pressure.
Behaviours:
• Handles critical tasks or escalations discreetly and efficiently.
• Supports continuity of operations while progressing strategic priorities.
• Diagnoses operational or compliance gaps and recommends improvements.
Information & Workflow Management
Definition: Structures and manages the flow of communications and data to and from the AM.
Behaviours:
• Screens and prioritises meeting requests and correspondence based on relevance and urgency.
• Maintains briefing packs and high-level reporting for strategic meetings.
• Organises shared digital workspaces and maintains compliance-ready records.
High-Level Discretion & Professional Integrity
Definition: Handles sensitive matters with complete confidentiality and loyalty.
Behaviours:
• Acts as a trusted advisor to the AM, raising concerns respectfully and offering solutions.
• Maintains confidentiality on finance, HR, and regulatory matters.
• Upholds the Academy’s brand, values, and professionalism in all dealings.
Change Readiness & Growth Mindset
Definition: Embraces change and seeks to improve operations through innovation and feedback.
Behaviours:
• Identifies inefficiencies and suggests improvements across departments or processes.
• Promotes a culture of agility, learning, and cross-functional support.
• Takes ownership of internal transformation projects (e.g. onboarding digitisation, simulator expansion programme).
Time Management & Prioritisation
Definition: Plans and executes tasks efficiently in a fast-paced training environment.
Behaviours:
• Maintains a forward-looking executive calendar aligned to key Academy cycles.
• Plans ahead for strategic priorities, while handling urgent tasks effectively.
• Resolves scheduling and deadline conflicts with foresight and professionalism.
Desired Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior executive support, operations, or strategy coordination role.
• Proven ability to learn and adapt quickly in regulated or complex industries.
• Strong business acumen, ideally with relevant postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc/MBA in Business, Management, or related field).
• Excellent organisational, written, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing materials for executive-level meetings.
• High proficiency with collaborative digital project management tools and financial modelling platforms (e.g., the complete MS Suite, Smartsheet, Trello, SharePoint, Asana, Notion).
• Demonstrated interest in aviation, education, or training sectors and a willingness to develop deeper regulatory and operational understanding
