Salary: circa £95,000 per annum, dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Security Level: BPSS

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.

One of the primary functions of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the licensing and financial supervision of airlines and tour operators, operating under the highly regarded ATOL financial protection scheme. Moreover, the CAA supervises the financial aspects of spaceflight endeavours and is responsible for granting permits to non-UK airlines to operate services to the UK. 

Our Aviation & Travel: Finance & Licensing Department (“ATFL”) is entrusted with performing these activities. Furthermore, this department assumes a pivotal role in managing the Air Travel Trust Fund (“ATTF”), which serves to compensate customers for financial losses in the unfortunate event of a tour operator’s failure.

The Role

ATFL is seeking a dynamic Senior Manager to join our multi-disciplinary team in a permanent capacity. The successful candidate will lead and oversee the day-to-day work of a diverse and highly capable team, which is responsible for managing a portfolio of airlines, travel and space companies in relation to granting, renewing, or varying the licences and other relevant permits; while ensuring the compliance with the regulations.

The candidate will possess strong leadership and people management abilities and adeptness in engaging stakeholders at a senior level. They should demonstrate a deep understanding of corporate finance and/or credit assessment coupled with extensive experience in navigating complex finance issues.

Core Accountabilities

• Provide effective support to the senior management of ATFL in departmental management; particularly in coaching and developing the team to achieve ATFL's objectives effectively.
• Oversee or directly conduct the analysis and monitoring of finances, licensing; and relationship management of a portfolio of leading UK registered airlines and tour operators alongside oversight of the financial assessment of space companies.
• The responsibilities of the job holder are interchangeable and may also include leading the permitting function for non-UK airlines and/or compliance activities under the regulations.

• Build and maintain relationships with senior industry stakeholders to support the professional delivery of regulatory duties.

• Reach decisions on applications to grant, renew or vary licences and permits on airlines and travel companies within the scope of established legislation and delegated authority.
• Lead the regulatory oversight of corporate or financially distressed transactions of large, complex and/or high-risk airlines and tour operators in a way that minimises the risk posed to consumers and the ATT.
• Identifying where practices/policy do not achieve their aim and proposing alternative options.
• Lead discrete projects that help meet the ATFL’s business plan objectives.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of processes, procedures, reporting and data management systems to maintain a high standard of regulatory activities while focused on efficient and effectively customer service delivery.

About You

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Strong management skills with ability to develop a team of financial and licensing specialists.
• Knowledge and experience in accounting, credit and strategic analysis, corporate finance, leveraged loans and debt restructuring.
• Skills to conduct high quality, predictive and soundly based business and financial analyses. 
• Ability to immediately identify emerging risks and their impact on the financial standing of individual companies, the segments of the airline and travel industries.
• Strong ability to manage and resolve complex finance and regulatory problem cases with opinions based on facts and balanced judgement.
• Effective organisational skills with ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills as well as solid negotiation skills.
• Proactive and flexible attitude.
• Advanced financial modelling skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft tools and an understanding data management and visualisation tools would be desirable. 
• An MBA, CFA, ACA, ACCA or other equivalent professional qualification, or qualification by experience.
• An understanding of the UK airline industry as well as the regulatory environment, legislation and policy issues would be advantageous.

Working With Us

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

We are passionate about growing and developing our colleagues so that they can achieve their full professional potential. For this reason, we provide a variety of internal and external learning and training opportunities. Additionally, we encourage our colleagues to collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities for developing further your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

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.

For more information on BPSS clearance please visit - BPSS clearance

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.

Closing Date: 11th March 2024

Interview Date: from w/c 25th March 2024

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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