At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow the Air Safety team, ensuring high-quality delivery in aviation safety.
- Company: AACE, a family-owned SME in the aviation and defence sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 28 days holiday, and professional development support.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making a real impact in aviation safety and engineering.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering or Safety, with leadership and aviation safety experience.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.
AACE has an opportunity for an Operations Manager (Air Safety) to lead and grow our Air Safety capability, supporting programmes across the highly regulated Defence Air Environment. Applicants will ideally have a background in Defence (or supporting industry) and proven experience in aviation safety and/or engineering management, with knowledge of Military Aviation Authority Regulatory Publications (MRP) and associated Defence Standards.
You will bring a strong track record of leading high-performing technical teams. In this role you will manage, develop and grow a team of experienced Air Safety Engineers, ensuring safe, compliant and high-quality delivery to our customers. You will be a proactive and credible leader who can engage stakeholders at all levels, spot opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement, and inspire others to deliver.
As part of the AACE management team, you will provide strategic input to support the maintenance and growth of the company, reporting directly to the Head of Operations.
Key responsibilities:- Line management of the Air Safety team, managing team competence, development and capacity planning.
- Lead on Air Safety business development opportunities and recruitment activities to identify and attract suitable candidates, supporting the continued growth of the Air Safety team.
- Provide technical input, estimates and resourcing to support contract bids and proposals.
- Provide technical assurance of safety deliverables.
- Oversee project delivery to time, cost and quality.
- Deliver Air Safety tasks in support of customer contracts, either independently or through the leadership of a team of safety engineers.
- Build and develop existing customer relationships.
- Develop new customer relationships and identify growth opportunities.
- Maintain awareness of market opportunities to identify business opportunities and risks.
- Essential: Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Safety, or a related discipline.
- Essential: Professional registration - ideally chartered status with a relevant professional institution (e.g. RAeS, IMechE, IET).
- Essential: Significant experience in aviation safety and/or engineering.
- Essential: Experience working with Defence and/or supporting industries, and the associated ways of working.
- Essential: Eligible to obtain and maintain SC security clearance.
- Essential: Strong leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with credibility at senior client levels.
- Desirable: Previous experience of working in MOD (DE&S), and the associated ways of working.
- Desirable: Previous experience with generating proposals, winning bids, technical consultancy, business development and/or recruitment.
- Desirable: Safety and engineering qualifications/training, such as: Formal safety and environmental management training, Formal air safety management training, ISO 9001 quality management training/experience.
Why join AACE? AACE is a Bristol-based, family-owned company and an established small-to-medium enterprise (SME), with valued employees working in close-knit teams:
- Industry-competitive salary based on experience/qualifications.
- Flexible and hybrid working.
- Full-time or part-time positions may be available.
- 28 days annual holiday plus public holidays.
- Company pension and private healthcare.
- Support to continual professional development (CPD), including training, qualifications, and peer-to-peer learning and development.
The appointment is subject to the successful applicant gaining security clearance at the required level.
Operations Manager - Air Safety & Engineering in Bristol employer: AACE Ltd
AACE is an exceptional employer located in Bristol, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where employees are valued as part of a close-knit family-owned team. With competitive salaries, flexible hybrid working options, and a strong commitment to professional development, AACE empowers its staff to grow and excel in their careers while contributing to the vital field of aviation safety and engineering.
